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'The Words We Choose'

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Wellbeing Bulletin #5 2025-26 - 'The Words We Choose'

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Global educators talk about how they teach values, virtues, citizenship, and what it means to be good.

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What Meaningful Character Education Looks Like Around the World

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What Meaningful Character Education Looks Like Around the World

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Educators around the globe are rethinking how schools shape not just what students know, but who they are becoming. In many countries, that entails a renewed focus on character education—and research suggests that the development of students’ personalities, attitudes, and behaviours is crucial to moulding successful students and citizens.

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What Meaningful Character Education Looks Like Around the World

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We interviewed global educators about how they teach values, virtues, citizenship, and what it means to be good.

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As AI becomes ubiquitous, students are asking what matters most right now. Educators need to respond.

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What makes a human life meaningful when machines can replicate or even surpass many of our abilities? This is not a question students will face someday. It is a question they are expressing right now, in plainer language.

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"If you've created a conscious machine, it's not the history of man. That's the history of gods."

That line from 2014 movie Ex Machina keeps surfacing as I watch my students navigate a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). Whether or not powerful AI ever becomes conscious remains an open question. What feels inevitable is its trajectory toward a kind of intelligence we might call godlike: systems that can generate knowledge, solve problems, and perform tasks at a scale and speed far beyond human capacity.

This raises a fundamental question: What makes a human life meaningful when machines can replicate or even surpass many of our abilities? This is not a question students will face someday. It is a question they are expressing right now, in plainer language.

AI has given new urgency to the oldest student complaint: When am I ever going to need this? Why wrestle with the novel A Brave New World when AI can summarize it in seconds, in language you already understand? Why spend weeks observing cell behavior or ecosystems when a simulation can generate the results instantly? These questions aren't just about convenience, they expose a deeper issue. Students aren't only asking about usefulness, they're asking about meaning. Or, to put it even more simply: What matters most right now, for me as a student and a person?

Learning was never really about utility. It has always been about meaning, about whether what happens inside a classroom connects to anything worth caring about outside it. That it largely doesn't shouldn't be surprising. According to Gallup, fewer than two in ten students strongly agree that what they are learning in school feels important, interesting, or relevant to their lives. AI hasn't created that disconnection. It has simply made it harder to ignore. We have been driving students into the future while looking in the rearview mirror.

The loss of purpose within education reflects a broader crisis beyond it. The structures that once gave life clear meaning-religion, community, stable work, and shared civic identity-have weakened, leaving what philosopher Charles Taylor calls a fractured "moral horizon": a shared sense of what matters and why. AI didn't cause this fracture, but it may accelerate it. Its deeper risk is not moral corruption, but moral passivity. As more choices are automated, we risk losing the practice of judgment that forms our values. We have more freedom than any previous generation and less certainty about what to do with it. The result is visible: rising depression, loneliness, and anxiety in the most materially comfortable generation in history.

The meaning crisis has found its reckoning machine in AI. Education has long been organized around a single instrumental purpose: preparing students for careers and economic life. That purpose pushes pedagogy toward what is easiest to standardize and assess-procedural learning, information retrieval, correct answers to predetermined questions. This is precisely what AI does best. It is not merely a threat to the instrumental model. It is that model's apex expression, perfected and made instantaneous. The race against the machine is not coming. It is already over.

While AI can amplify critical and creative thinking, within an educational model still focused on task completion rather than meaning, its overuse risks doing the opposite. There is growing concern that reliance on AI to complete work may weaken the very capacities education aims to develop. A recent study from the MIT Media Lab warns that "excessive reliance on AI-driven solutions" may contribute to "cognitive atrophy," diminishing students' ability to think independently and critically.

What it cannot do is transform a person. I believe that AI has done education a favor it didn't ask for. By rendering the instrumental model obsolete, it has forced us back to first principles. And the first principle of education, it turns out, was always meaning: forming people who can examine their own assumptions, construct a coherent set of values, and ask seriously what kind of life is worth living. These are not soft skills. They are the only work that cannot be automated.

For over twenty years my teaching has been organized around two questions: How do we know what we know? And what does it mean to live a good life? These are not questions to be solved. They are questions to be lived. My students explore how knowledge is constructed, how meaning is cultivated, and how identity is shaped through choice and ethical reflection. Not to perform understanding but to practice the examined life. These questions have always mattered. AI has made them urgent in a way nothing else could.

Education has long been justified by its link to productivity, not because everything taught is job training, but because much of it has been framed that way to students: learn this to succeed, to be useful, to secure a future. But as AI takes over more of the tasks that once defined that usefulness, this justification begins to weaken. If machines can perform the work more efficiently, then preparing students to replicate that work can no longer be the primary goal. What remains is a deeper choice: continue treating education primarily as preparation for the workforce, or reimagine it as the cultivation of judgment, purpose, and the capacity to think and choose well in a world where productivity is no longer the defining measure of human value.

We are living through a decision window. What we do now will shape the inheritance of every generation that follows. The stakes echo biologist E.O. Wilson's warning that humanity faces a crisis because we possess "Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology." He wrote that before AI could produce work that teachers can no longer distinguish from their students'. The diagnosis has only sharpened. If AI is to be aligned with human flourishing, education must evolve alongside it-helping young people develop not only technical fluency but the wisdom to question, interpret, and responsibly shape the tools they inherit.

Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans without the wisdom to govern it. Every mythology since has offered its own variation on that warning. We have always been better at expanding our powers than questioning whether we should. More sophisticated in our science than in our ethics. More capable in our technology than in our judgment. This asymmetry has never been more consequential. We are giving the next generation extraordinary power without the wisdom to wield it. The most important question education can ask-the one Socrates never stopped asking-is also the simplest: What is the wise thing to do here?

Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior?

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What Is Education For in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?

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As AI becomes ubiquitous, students are asking what matters most right now. Educators need to respond.

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Ireland’s online tool connecting you to personalised mental health information, resources and support.

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Ireland's online tool connecting you to personalised mental health information, resources and support.

This service is funded by the

Learn more Get started

How to use this tool

In three simple steps, navigator provides you with personalised mental health information and support that is relevant to what you're going through right now.

Identify

Identify what's on your mind

Begin by choosing a mental health topic or concern that's relevant to you. Navigator is designed to help you find support and information on what's bothering you right now, from feeling stressed or low, to managing challenges in your relationships.

Focus

Focus on the part that matters most to you

Next, you'll have the opportunity to refine your search based on what's most important to you. If you're feeling stressed or low, for example, you might want to narrow your focus to a topic that fits best with your own experience, like burnout or panic.

Results

Receive your own tailored results

Finally, let us know how you prefer to receive support. We understand everyone's needs are different, and they can change from day to day. Based on your individual preferences, you can:

Get information in the form of factual, expert-approved articles and videos

Relate to others through real life stories and videos shared by people going through similar experiences

Feel better by using guided activities that help you feel calmer in the moment

Find services by accessing a wide range of signposts in Ireland that you can filter by area, age, and specific type of mental health difficulty

Receive recommendations for mental health-related books, podcasts and apps

Talk to someone now using Text About It by spunout, a free anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for mental health and wellbeing

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This service is funded by the Learn more Get started In three simple steps, navigator provides you with personalised mental health information and support that is relevant to what you're going through right now. Begin by choosing a mental health topic or concern that's relevant to you.

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What you say to yourself and others has tremendous power to shape your life and impact the lives of those around you.

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'Operation Epic Joy'

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HSE's new national youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign. 

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Youth Vaping & Nicotine Use Prevention Campaign

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Youth Vaping & Nicotine Use Prevention Campaign

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As part of the supporting resources to inform teachers and schools around the topic, the booklet below developed in association with National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and is available to download on here.

This campaign has two strands:

A campaign for young people using a mix of organic social, paid social and creator-lead content, this content is tailored to young people and how they use digital platforms.

A series of short, factual videos from experts for adults discussing issues like health risks, vaping myths, addiction, new products like snus or pouches, popcorn lung, oral and mental health with the young people in their lives.

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This episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, hosted by Noreen Turley and joined by Dr. Jean Sorohan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, offers practical support for parents and carers helping a young person through exam season. Jean shares down-to-earth advice on how to stay calm, ease pressure, build healthy routines, and encourage mindful coping at home. The conversation also touches on neurodivergent inclusion and trusted supports, along with the reminder that one exam does not define you. It is a reassuring conversation for any parent or carer who wants to feel more confident in supporting their child.

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This episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, hosted by Noreen Turley and joined by Dr. Jean Sorohan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, offers practical support for parents and carers helping a young person through exam season. Jean shares down-to-earth advice on how to stay calm, ease pressure, build healthy routines, and encourage mindful coping at home. The conversation also touches on neurodivergent inclusion and trusted supports, along with the reminder that one exam does not define you. It is a reassuring conversation for any parent or carer who wants to feel more confident in supporting their young. For supports and further information, visit https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/camhs/ or https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/primary-care-psychology/ Produced by GKMedia.ie

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In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, they speak with Joseph Morning, Head of Learning and Curriculum at Spunout, about digital mental health resources for young people. Joseph introduces Navigator, which is a free, anonymous online tool helping 16–25-year-olds find tailored mental health support in Ireland and explains how real young people shaped its development.  They also explore Spunout's Safer Conversations Online course, which guides users in discussing sensitive topics like suicide and self-harm responsibly on social media.

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#140 Digital Mental Health support for young people

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In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we speak with Joseph Morning, Head of Learning and Curriculum at spunout, about digital mental health resources for young people. Joseph introduces Navigator, which is a free, anonymous online tool helping 16–25-year-olds find tailored mental health support in Ireland and explains how real young people shaped its development. We also explore spunout’s Safer Conversations Online course, which guides users in discussing sensitive topics like suicide and self-harm responsibly on social media. Overall the episode offers a warm, insightful conversation about empowering young people through trusted digital resources. For more detail on spunout’s resources check out:
Navigator: https://spunout.ie/navigator/
Safer Conversations Online: https://spunout.ie/academy/course/view.php?id=24 Produced by GKMedia.ie

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Why do uninformed people often sound so confident? In today's world, convincing people you are right is often not a matter of substance, but of confidence. People tend to trust confident people more than those who are not. Confident speakers offer 'cognitive closure' and often present quick, simple and definitive explanations of complex issues, including impressive sounding jargon which confers legitimacy to statements and opinions that have little basis in fact.

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Why Dumb People Feel So Smart | The Dunning–Kruger Effect

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Why do we fail to accurately gauge our own abilities?

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Understanding the Dunning-Kruger effect can help you discern when to trust your own abilities and when to seek out advice from others who can see you in a more objective light.

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The Decision Lab - Behavioral Science, Applied.

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A behavioral design think tank, we apply decision science, digital innovation & lean methodologies to pressing problems in policy, business & social justice

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Break free of the overparenting trap and prepare your kid for success - Julie Lythcott-Haims

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While empathizing with the parental hopes and, especially, fears that lead to overhelping, Julie offers practical strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary for success.

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Break free of the overparenting trap and prepare your kid for success
New York Times best-seller.
Drawing on research, on conversations with admissions officers, educators, and employers, and on her own insights as a mother and as a student dean, Julie highlights the ways in which overparenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large.

While empathizing with the parental hopes and, especially, fears that lead to overhelping, Julie offers practical strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary for success.
Get the book

From 2002 to 2012, I was the dean of freshmen at Stanford University. My time mentoring and working with so many students was immensely rewarding. It also gave me a view of the future that frightened me.

Each year, more and more students arrived on campus with an impressive list of accomplishments but no sense of independence. They had grown up with parents who protected them from failure, made their choices for them, and solved all their problems.

I saw the damage that overparenting caused: students were lost, anxious, depressed. They didn't know how to handle life when it didn't go their way.

I wrote this book to provide an alternate view of how to raise our kids to be self-sufficient, and I invite you to join me on the journey toward raising the next generation of strong, resilient adults.

TED Talk: How to Raise Successful Kids-Without Overparenting

Julie explains why parents aren't actually helping when they load their kids with high expectations and micromanage their lives.

Book Julie to speak

Julie Lythcott-Haims is a national treasure... A must-read for every parent who senses that there is a healthier and saner way to raise our children.

Madeline Levine, author of the New York Times bestsellers "The Price of Privilege" and "Teach Your Children Well"

For parents who want to foster hearty self-reliance instead of hollow self-esteem, How to Raise an Adult is the right book at the right time.

Daniel H. Pink, author of the New York Times bestsellers "Drive" and "A Whole New Mind"

This is the stuff of the best parenting advice . . . . A worthwhile read for every parent . . . . Our children are engaged in the serious work of becoming an adult. With this book, Lythcott-Haims provides the missing user manual.

The Chicago Tribune

Lythcott-Haims presents a convincing vision of overprotected, overparented, overscheduled kids . . . . After presenting the problem in detail (through interviews with college admissions officers, educators, parents, and others), she offers a number of viable solutions . . . . This vigorous text will give parents the backup needed to make essential changes.

Publishers Weekly

Your Turn: How to Be an Adult

Being an adult, it turns out, is not about any particular checklist; it is, instead, a process, one you can get progressively better at over time―becoming more comfortable with uncertainty and gaining the knowhow to keep going. Once you begin to practice it, being an adult becomes the most complicated yet also the most abundantly rewarding and natural thing. And Julie Lythcott-Haims is here to help readers take their turn.

Real American: A Memoir

In this powerful and award-winning reflection on identity, belonging, and community, Julie details growing up Black and biracial in white spaces. She shares the toll that racism, discrimination, and microaggressions took on her self-worth, and how she found acceptance through the healing power of community.

Writing Memoir

This little book of writing prompts from The Writer's Grotto, where Julie was a member, opens with a foreword by Julie that offers pointers for crafting a compelling narrative from your own experiences. The rest of the book consists of prompts and space to write, providing opportunities to reframe aspects of your life in thoughtful and interesting ways.

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How to Raise an Adult - Julie Lythcott-Haims

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The New York Times best-selling anti-helicopter manifesto, which offers strategies for raising kids to be self-sufficient, resilient, and successful.

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The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

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Two great spiritual masters (the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu) share their own hard-won wisdom about living with joy even in the face of adversity. The book was envisioned as a three-layer birthday cake: their own stories and teachings about joy, the most recent findings in the science of deep happiness, and the daily practices that anchor their own emotional and spiritual lives. Both have been tested by great personal and national adversity, and here they share their personal stories of struggle and renewal and spread the core message that to have joy yourself, you must bring joy to others.

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Two great spiritual masters share their own hard-won wisdom about living with joy even in the face of adversity. The occasion was a big ...

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Michael F. Steger is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University. He has spent more than a decade researching people's ability to find meaning in their lives and the benefits of living a meaningful life. In his talk, he asks the question "What Makes Life Meaningful?" and will share what psychological science can tell us about the answer. He is the co-editor of 'Designing Positive Psychology' and the forthcoming 'Purpose and Meaning in the Workplace.'

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What Makes Life Meaningful: Michael Steger at TEDxCSU

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'Change Needs All of Us.'

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Centre for Positive Health Sciences - RCSI

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Centre for Positive Health Sciences RCSI

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'For the Good of the Realm'

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Wellbeing Bulletin #3 2025-26 - 'For the Good of the Realm'

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"Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capabilities to organise and execute the sources of action required to manage prospective situations." - Albert Bandura

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For MHAW this year, we are focusing on management of challenging emotions using the 'RAIN' acronym: 'Recognise' - ask 'What am I feeling?'; 'Accept' - all feelings are messengers so we should accept with kindness and without judgement; 'Investigate' - ask 'Why am I feeling this way?' / 'What is this telling me?' / 'What do I need?'; 'Nurture' - give yourself what you need and/or ask other for help if you need it.

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It’s natural for parents to do whatever they can to keep their children safe and healthy, but children need space to learn and grow on their own, without Mum or Dad hovering over them, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

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WASHINGTON - It's natural for parents to do whatever they can to keep their children safe and healthy, but children need space to learn and grow on their own, without Mom or Dad hovering over them, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology®, found that overcontrolling parenting can negatively affect a child's ability to manage his or her emotions and behavior.

"Our research showed that children with helicopter parents may be less able to deal with the challenging demands of growing up, especially with navigating the complex school environment," said Nicole B. Perry, PhD, from the University of Minnesota, and lead author of the study. "Children who cannot regulate their emotions and behavior effectively are more likely to act out in the classroom, to have a harder time making friends and to struggle in school."

Children rely on caregivers for guidance and understanding of their emotions. They need parents who are sensitive to their needs, who recognize when they are capable of managing a situation and who will guide them when emotional situations become too challenging. This helps children develop the ability to handle challenging situations on their own as they grow up, and leads to better mental and physical health, healthier social relationships and academic success. Managing emotions and behavior are fundamental skills that all children need to learn and overcontrolling parenting can limits those opportunities, according to Perry.

The researchers followed the same 422 children over the course of eight years and assessed them at ages 2, 5 and 10, as part of a study of social and emotional development. Children in the study were predominantly white and African-American and from economically diverse backgrounds. Data were collected from observations of parent-child interactions, teacher-reported responses and self-reports from the 10-year-olds.

During the observations, the research team asked the parents and children to play as they would at home.

"Helicopter parenting behavior we saw included parents constantly guiding their child by telling him or her what to play with, how to play with a toy, how to clean up after playtime and being too strict or demanding," said Perry. "The kids reacted in a variety of ways. Some became defiant, others were apathetic and some showed frustration."

Overcontrolling parenting when a child was 2 was associated with poorer emotional and behavioral regulation at age 5, the researchers found. Conversely, the greater a child's emotional regulation at age 5, the less likely he or she was to have emotional problems and the more likely he or she was to have better social skills and be more productive in school at age 10. Similarly, by age 10, children with better impulse control were less likely to experience emotional and social problems and were more likely to do better in school.

"Children who developed the ability to effectively calm themselves during distressing situations and to conduct themselves appropriately had an easier time adjusting to the increasingly difficult demands of preadolescent school environments," said Perry. "Our findings underscore the importance of educating often well-intentioned parents about supporting children's autonomy with handling emotional challenges."

Perry suggested that parents can help their children learn to control their emotions and behavior by talking with them about how to understand their feelings and by explaining what behaviors may result from feeling certain emotions, as well as the consequences of different responses. Then parents can help their children identify positive coping strategies, like deep breathing, listening to music, coloring or retreating to a quiet space.

"Parents can also set good examples for their children by using positive coping strategies to manage their own emotions and behavior when upset," said Perry.

Article: "Childhood Self-Regulation as a Mechanism Through Which Early Overcontrolling Parenting Is Associated With Adjustment in Preadolescence," by Nicole B. Perry, PhD, University of Minnesota; Lilly Shanahan, PhD, University of Zurich; Jessica M. Dollar, PhD, Susan D. Calkins, PhD, and Susan P. Keane, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Developmental Psychology, published June 18, 2018.

Nicole Perry can be contacted by email.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

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Helicopter parenting may negatively affect children's emotional well-being, behavior

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Children with overcontrolling parents may later struggle to adjust in school and social environments.

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If you want to do something extraordinary, there is no map. You have to make your own map.

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Developing and Practising Your Self-Sovereignty

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Developing and Practising Your Self-Sovereignty

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In this podcast, hosts Mike and Euvie share some stories of successes and failures in learning to practice self sovereignty. They also suggest some ideas, techniques and exercises from their own experience that others can try if they want to gain more sovereignty in their lives.

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Developing and Practicing Your Self Sovereignty

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Mike and Euvie discuss practicing self sovereignty, how to test and alter your belief systems, and exercises that can help you develop your own freedom.

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The choice: embrace AI as a tool to enhance our capabilities or allow it to diminish our most valuable human traits.

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Preserving Cognitive Sovereignty in the Age of AI

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Preserving Cognitive Sovereignty in the Age of AI

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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into our daily existence, it is essential to consider its profound implications for human development. Thriving in this transformative era requires deliberate effort, discipline, and a commitment to maintaining our cognitive sovereignty.

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Preserving Cognitive Sovereignty in the Age of AI

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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into our daily existence, it is essential to consider its profound implications for human development.

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'Connect': With what really matters for you in 2026

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'Connect': With what really matters for you in 2026

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A lot of people make resolutions in January. But one thing that most of us don’t do, but definitely should, is set intentions. An intention is a direction, that immediately gives you options. In an ideal world, resolutions would be better, but life is unpredictable. You get sick, work gets busy, or sometimes you just need a break.

Since intentions are flexible, they let you adjust without feeling guilty or that you have failed. Lots of ideas in the link above.

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30 New Year Intentions for Good Health, Joy, and Growth

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A list of 30 positive new year intentions that will help you achieve all your goals, dreams, and resolutions for the year.

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This Safer Internet Week, we explore the idea of cognitive sovereignty: the capacity to steer our own lives through conscious choices, rather than being swept along by digital habits, expectations, or distractions.

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'What is Enough?'

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Wellbeing Bulletin #2 2025-26 - 'What is Enough'

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Contentment is a distinct low-arousal positive emotion linked with feeling that the moment is enough.

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'Take Notice' - Build Contentment into the Christmas Season

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'Take Notice' - Build Contentment into the Christmas Season

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It's December and your days are suddenly full. There are school concerts, end-of-year celebrations, work deadlines, family gatherings and the logistical gymnastics to make them work, not to mention gift buying for those who celebrate. There can also be internal pressures. Perhaps a sense that you could be doing Christmas better - that the house should be cleaner, that you should be performing better at work, or spending more time with your family. The pressure is subtle, but it can accumulate. While this time of year can bring joy and excitement, it can also feel hard and mentally exhausting.

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Feeling Overwhelmed by Christmas? Building Contentment Can Help

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A calmer approach to the season begins with noticing what is already enough. Being content at Christmas might be easier than you think.

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"Let go of who you think you're supposed to be; embrace who you are." - Brene Brown

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Has anyone ever actually had figgy pudding?

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Jonathan Haidt & others on stage at the Project Healthy Mind World Mental Health Day Festival, October 10th 2025

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He Sounded the Alarm on Mobile Phones, Now He's Warning About AI

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He Sounded the Alarm on Mobile Phones, Now He's Warning About AI

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Jonathan Haidt, the well known psychologist who wrote The Anxious Generation and encouraged many parents to crack down on their kids' smartphone usage, is now warning parents about the next major obstacle: AI. “We are at the tipping point right now,” says Haidt. “AI is going to take all the pathways of harm from social media and multiply them.” Learn more about what you can do to protect your child's wellbeing.

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In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline and accountability.

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Strong Ground By Brené Brown | Easons.Com

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Strong Ground by Brené Brown. Available now at Easons. Free & Fast Delivery On All Orders Over €10.

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Diversity is a fact - inclusivity is an active choice. Choose to be kind, be inclusive, be respectful - always.

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Stand Up Awareness Week '25 - Newsletter

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This Stand Up Awareness Week (Nov. 3rd to 7th) the theme is ‘Bí Cineálta’. This week we celebrate the LGBTQ+  members of our community and stand up against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. There will be workshops, movie screenings, staff training, a table quiz, a 'Spill the Tea' fundraising bake sale. Help us stand up for inclusivity, kindness, respect and diversity.

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26 Activities To Celebrate World Mental Health Day

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This international day of awareness and action has been recognized since 1992, as mental health activists and practitioners across the world work to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. Lots of ideas for meaningful action here.

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October 10th is World Mental Health Day! This international day of awareness and action has been recognized since 1992, as mental health activists and practitioners across the world work to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. In some countries, this day is a part of a week-long mental health event.

The day was initially created by the World Federation of Mental Health, a 70+-year-old organization that supports mental health awareness and support in more than 90 countries,

‍

How To Celebrate World Mental Health Day

We've compiled some ideas for how you can honor World Mental Health Day on your own, or in community with those you love.

We know that this time can also bring up some big feelings, so feel free to take what resonates, and leave what doesn't! Just know: everything will be okay.

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Ideas For Activities

Attend an event in support of World Mental Health Day.

A great way to spread awareness about mental health is by engaging in events in your community or online to learn more and connect with others who are willing to share their experiences with mental health conditions.

Events are being held around the world and the World Federation For Mental Health is compiling them on its website.

You can even host your own event, gathering friends and community members to reach out to elected officials, lead a fundraiser, organize a walk or run, or include a local mental health professional in a forum or Q&A.

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Get certified in mental health first aid.

If you're looking for the tools to directly help others in times of crisis, you should consider getting certified in a mental health first aid course.

Mental Health First Aid offers in-person courses around the world, led by two certified instructors. Participants will learn how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis by identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of addiction or mental health conditions.

The course is free of charge and has six interactive lessons that can be accessed at any time. It is also offered in English, French, and Spanish.

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Share your story.

Part of spreading awareness means sharing your story and your experiences in a safe way. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) encourages folks to share their experiences with mental health to be shared on their website or social media channels.

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Volunteer or donate.

You can even sign up as a volunteer at a crisis hotline or text line.

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Read and share quotes about mental health.

Sometimes wee the right words to say... but someone else does. Fortunately, we've curated the best quotes about mental health in a variety of articles:

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Contact your representatives to urge them to prioritize mental health.

You have the tools to urge your elected officials to make mental health a priority! Here are a few things you can do:

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By Learning

Learn more about your own mental health.

Learning more about your own mental health can be one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself. Do this by taking an online mental health screening. You can use this opportunity to seek professional help (in the form of therapy), journal about your findings, or connect with a loved one who may also have experience with a certain mental health condition.

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Listen to mental health podcasts.

Podcasts aren't the same as therapy or counseling, but they sure can help us feel seen and understood in new ways - especially when they're made by brilliant professionals or folks with lived experiences. We've rounded up some of our favorite mental health podcasts for you to get a head start.

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Follow creators or bookmark resources sharing reliable information about mental health.

Like we said, TikTok therapy isn't always the best form of mental health care, but creators, apps, and campaigns can be amazing at using the Internet for good. Trust us; we've found them!

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Read books or articles about mental health.

We're certain your local library has a wide array of resources for your mental health studies, but if you're looking for some new approaches, here are a few learning opportunities for you to expand your mental health knowledge:

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By Taking Care of Yourself

Create strong self-care practices.

Self-care is a big buzzword these days, but we encourage you to create strong, proactive self-care practices that give you the energy and space to thrive. (Plus, if you need some inspiration - we've compiled a collection of the best self-care quotes.)

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Find a therapist.

A great therapist can help you gain valuable insights, provide support and guidance when you are facing challenges, help you confront and heal trauma, and give you the tools to create a life you love. You deserve to find your perfect fit! Good news: we created a comprehensive guide to finding a therapist.

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Try meditating.

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Celebrate good news.

Speaking of good news, the world is full of it! Take it from us, we're a good news media company that literally makes a monthly print newspaper filled with good news. (And you should subscribe!)

When we fill our brains with reminders that there's lots of good in the world, it helps us feel more hopeful about the future and encourages us to be a part of creating that better future.

And, lastly, when you've found good news - make sure you share it with others too!

Here are a few positive news stories to get you started:

→ Read more mental health good news

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Consume the news thoughtfully.

Although we're big fans of finding the good, we know that the news can feel incredibly heavy at times. While it's important to stay up-to-date on what's happening in the world, (because the privilege of experiencing bad news through the news comes with the requirement that you use that privilege for good) you can still consume the news responsibly.

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By Sharing Resources With Others

Share mental health resources.

Making mental health resources widely accessible makes it that much easier for even one person to get the help they need. When you're sharing about mental health this on this day, be sure to make resources available.

You can view our mental health resource guide here!

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Be thoughtful about the information you share online.

That being said, if you choose to engage with mental health stories and resources online on this day, keep in mind that these topics can be heavy and triggering for others. Consider adding content warnings to your posts or encouraging others to do the same.

Disability rights activist Liz Sparrow has a great beginner's guide to trigger warnings to get you started.

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Wear your mental health on your sleeve. (Literally.)

You can help reduce stigma and communicate that you're a safe person to talk to by wearing clothes that bring awareness to mental health. When you wear apparel with meaningful mental health messages, you're sharing important words with strangers who made need to hear them. Plus, you might inspire an important conversation.

Check out our article that curated the best mental health shirts that also donate to mental health nonprofits.

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At Work

If you're an employer, host professional events and initiatives that support employee mental health.

Whether this is hosting a stress reduction workshop, implementing new time-off policies, welcoming a mental health speaker, or leading a company-wide discussion, you have the privilege and responsibility to make your work environment safe, inclusive, and filled with resources that support employee wellbeing.

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Check out Empower Work, a program that provides confidential support for work challenges.

Empower Work is a nonprofit on a mission to build healthier, more equitable workplaces. They offer immediate, confidential support for work challenges through SMS or webchat with trained peer counselors.

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Use your platform or company to advocate for mental health.

Raise funds, release a product supporting mental health awareness, create a social media campaign, publish a blog post, or invest in new benefits that support your team and your community on (or beyond) World Mental Health Day. Whatever you do, we encourage you to use reliable research to make your offerings inclusive and equitable.

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Advocate for or use mental health days or paid time off.

Mental health days are an important tool for all workers to access time off when they need to, while also facilitating important conversations about mental health and burnout in the workplace.

Perhaps October 10th is the opportunity for your company to roll out company-wide mental health days, or even more generous paid time-off offerings. By prioritizing time to rest, we can boost morale, redefine the modern workplace, and show people we care.

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At School

Offer resources and information to students.

Teachers and trusted adults are responsible for making sure that students know what mental health resources are available to them. This is a great time to initiate conversations about mental health or remind students how they can come to you for help.

If your school doesn't have a lot of resources or materials for these conversations, mentalhealth.gov has a great landing page for educators to help get the ball rolling.

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Support LGBTQ+ youth.

There are a number of ways to support LGBTQ+ youth inside and out of the classroom - we even have a comprehensive guide! In the meantime, consider doing the following:

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Engage in a World Mental Health Day project at school.

Can you hand out lime green ribbons for mental health awareness? Is there a suitable movie or documentary viewing and discussion you can share with your students? What about celebrating your appreciation for school counselors or social workers during this time?

Consider hosting a spirit day in your school to open the dialogue about mental health and engage with one another in a meaningful way.

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Host a Q&A with a mental health professional for parents and students.

School administration and counseling teams can host a forum for parents and students, offering expert insights into mental health.

Choose a topic and host a Q&A-style chat for parents with a clinician or representative from your local Department of Behavioral Health. This can also be done for students during the school day, all inviting participants to ask experts any questions they may have regarding mental health.

Educators may consider creating a safe space for students to anonymously submit questions, to keep things well-organized and confidential.

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Get help if you need it.

All of these action items and activities are a great way to get you and your community involved in the conversation surrounding mental health. However, we know that when you're struggling with your mental health, it can be hard to find the help, support, and community you need.

If you are in immediate need of safety, please contact the following:

Emergency Medical Services
911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
‍ suicidepreventionlifeline.org
‍988

Crisis Text Line
Text CRISIS to 741-741
crisistextline.org

And if you are not in immediate crisis and would still like access to more resources, visit our list of Mental Health Resources for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What day is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is held on October 10th every year. The annual event is celebrated by the World Federation for Mental Health, the World Health Organization, and dozens of other organizations.

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What is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2022?

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2022 is "Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority," according to the World Health Organization. Past years have been themed around mental health in the workplace, suicide prevention, and young people.

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What was the theme for World Mental Health Day 2021?

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2021 was "Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality," according to the World Health Organization.

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Is World Mental Health Day in October or May?

Mental Health Awareness Month takes place during the month of May. However, World Mental Health Day - National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, as well as ADHD Awareness Month - are celebrated in the month of October. It can be easy to get them mixed up!

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What is the World Mental Health Day color?

Many nonprofits encourage advocates to wear the color purple in honor of mental health action. Some other organizations utilize green ribbons for World Mental Health Days.

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What are the hashtags for World Mental Health Day?

The World Health Organization recommends using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay for your social media posts. You can also use #WMHD2022

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October is also (part two of) Hispanic Heritage Month - and you can learn how to celebrate the annual event in our guide.

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26 Activities To Celebrate World Mental Health Day (2022)

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October 10th is World Mental Health Day! This international day of awareness and action has been recognized since 1992, as mental health activists and practitioners across the world work to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. In some countries, this day is a part of a week-long mental health event.

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In Their Own Words

Mahmoud* sits on a hospital trolley beside his injured little brother Rayan*, who is still unconscious. His head wrapped in heavy bandages; his t-shirt drenched in his own blood. Mahmoud is nursing a badly injured arm and cut to his head.

The boys are receiving treatment for their injuries at the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City. They managed to survive the bomb but their terror and trauma is etched across their faces.

"They bombed the house next to us," Mahmoud says, his eyes wide with fear. "Sand, rocks and everything fell down on us."

Mahmoud and Rayan's physical wounds may heal, but the scars of their trauma run so deep that they will live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. This is the tragedy over a million children are facing in the Gaza Strip this Christmas
*Names changed to protect children's identity

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How rituals can help you approach basic tasks more mindfully. 

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Anyone can devise a simple ritual and integrate it into their day, week, or even month. In Zen monasteries, even ordinary activities, like bathing and eating, are ritualized and given the complete attention of practitioners. This encourages a mindful approach to basic tasks, imbuing them with a transformational ethos. It can be as simple as taking a walk at a certain time of day, baking bread, or cleaning your space. You might not feel moved or changed by a ritual the first time you attempt one; you might be self-conscious or distracted. This is where repetition or experimentation can help.

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Mason Currey's interest in rituals grew out of his inability to write without distraction. Currey, a Los Angeles-based writer, became fascinated with the working habits of famous writers, whose days were seemingly subsumed by creative work. How were they so devoted and consistent with their craft? What magical brain powers did they possess that he didn't?

It turns out, even great writers like Franz Kafka and Virginia Woolf found writing to be an arduous task. What made the work a little bit easier, he discovered, was their commitment to a daily ritual.

In 2013, Currey published Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, a compendium of mini-biographies that documented the idiosyncratic habits and lives of artists. For the artists that Currey researched, repetition was crucial to sustaining ritual. This practice, however, is not exclusive to the creative class, nor does - or should - it only operate in the realm of work. With life returning to a new post-pandemic normal, rituals, whether personal or communal, can help enrich people's lives.

Anyone can devise a simple ritual and integrate it into their day, week, or even month. In Zen monasteries, even ordinary activities, like bathing and eating, are ritualized and given the complete attention of practitioners. This encourages a mindful approach to basic tasks, imbuing them with a transformational ethos. It can be as simple as taking a walk at a certain time of day, baking bread, or cleaning your space. You might not feel moved or changed by a ritual the first time you attempt one; you might be self-conscious or distracted. This is where repetition or experimentation could help.

Currey's morning ritual for writing, for example, starts with him waking up at 5:30 am. He goes to the kitchen, pours himself a cup of coffee brewed the night before, and sits down to write at his desk with the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up. Some days, the process feels more like a slog than others, but the early morning habit instills a sense of calm. The repetition ensures an easy transition to his desired writerly mindset.

Currey describes a ritual as an activity that eases a person into a focused mindset, a liminal state that is conducive for thinking, creating, or just being. "Rituals create and mark a transition towards a different kind of mental or emotional state," he said. This can look different for every person, but it's helpful to approach rituals as a soothing, meditative activity that allows the participant to be physically and mentally present. Here's how to think about finding and maintaining one yourself.

What's the difference between a ritual and a routine?

In cases like Currey's, a ritual might resemble a common routine. (Currey confessed that his book's original title was Daily Routines, but an editor proposed to change it to Daily Rituals at the last minute.) The difference, according to ritualists, is distinguished by one's intent.

The word "routine" carries a connotation distinct from that of ritual. It implies a rigid sense of structure, with time management and productivity prioritized. A person might rely on routine for the sake of accomplishment - an ideal tied to capitalist ideals of labor and production - rather than personal enjoyment or spiritual fulfillment. Society is fascinated by the inner lives of highly successful people and their adherence to unyielding habits. Self-help books and articles encourage readers to emulate the ambitious morning routines of entrepreneurs, often attributing their financial success to this regimented mindset. Meanwhile, productivity tools and apps are marketed to consumers as a shortcut to optimize the self to work more efficiently.

In her seminal writing on rituals, religion scholar Catherine Bell advised against establishing a firm definition for what constitutes a ritual. While there might be differences between what's perceived as an "authentic ritual" and a "ritual-like activity," Bell encouraged people to focus on the specifics of the process, instead of unnecessarily limiting themselves to a defined ideal. In other words, many activities can become rituals. It depends on how a person approaches them.

Rituals shouldn't be reduced to just mechanistic habits. The scholar Dale Wright, in his research on Zen Buddhist rituals, believed the process can facilitate the "disciplined transformation of the practitioner" in a way that mindless routine can't. One can think of rituals, then, as a spiritual predecessor to routine.

Rituals can be an artistic process, a meditation, a communal celebration, or a simple act of observation, according to Kate Southworth, a London-based artist whose works are rooted in ritual. "Rituals often have an intention," Southworth said. "I think the framing of that intention to be as important as its enactment." It's a form of resistance, she added, "to let go of the rational mind of habit and routine."

I became fascinated with devising my own daily rituals after reading The Disappearance of Rituals, by German philosopher Byung Chul Han. Rituals stabilize life, Han argued. They are "temporal technologies for housing oneself," and provide a mental refuge from the ceaselessness of social media and our fast-paced world. For me, this refuge came in the form of an early morning yoga practice. It is one of the first things I do after waking, in order to ground myself in my body. I don't play music or perform a specific flow, although I follow a series of familiar stretches and movements.

Han writes extensively about the decline of collective ritual in secular societies, but he doesn't propose a return to the old ways of ritualizing. Instead, he encourages readers to form new rites that are resistant to becoming commodified.

Southworth stresses that you don't have to buy anything or pay money to partake in a ritual (unlike, say, a skin care regimen). In fact, she encourages people to get creative with objects they already possess or existing habits. She points to her practice of collecting rainwater as an example that requires little doing from day to day. Once Southworth accumulates enough rainwater, she mixes it with some nut milk and waters her plants. "It's the small, very purposeful acts that draw my attention to what's going on in the outside world," she said. "Rituals deal with the unconscious, with making these connections to others or nature through art or an activity."

Your ritual might seem silly or odd to others, but that shouldn't discourage you

When a ritual is written out or explained, the activity can seem overly simplistic or fruitless to outsiders. The best way to understand a ritual, according to practitioners, is to engage with it, even if that participation is limited to empathy. "From an outsider's perspective, the rites performed by others will always seem hollow and devoid of meaning just by virtue of one's distance from them," wrote Wright, the Zen Buddhist scholar.

This could be because rituals historically carried religious or spiritual undertones, and were often performed in community with others. In line with Han's argument that collective rituals are disappearing (at least in a Western context), Currey acknowledged that his approach to rituals places an onus on individuals to come up with what works for them. Some artists are even hesitant to describe their process as ritual, even though their described behaviors follow the same patterns. "There's not much ritualizing that we inherit, so we have to make it up for ourselves," he said.

As a result, these practices are highly personalized and might not apply or even make sense to others. The writer Ingrid Rojas Contreras always wears a garment in a distinct "muted blue ultramarine" shade when working, as picturing the color helps her to concentrate and enter "a somnambulistic trance." The director David Lynch meditates twice a day in 20-minute sessions, a practice he has maintained daily since 1973. And the novelist Toni Morrison would wake at 5 am, make coffee, and watch the sun rise. Witnessing the early sunrise enabled her to write, she told the Paris Review: "This ritual comprises my preparation to enter a space that I can only call non-secular."

For these artists, rituals are inseparable from their creative output - which, in turn, are tied to their livelihoods. Yet rituals can be wholly separate from any form of labor that can be monetized. Making a bowl of oats can be a morning ritual. So can activities like journaling or reading a poem.

Not all rituals have to be daily endeavors. Rituals can also be enacted around certain astrological or calendar-based events, like the full moon or summer solstice. (Some of our modern holidays, like Easter and Halloween, borrow from pagan celebrations, which had elements of ritual.)

Southworth follows a ritual calendar that is informed by ancient Celtic festivals and pagan solstices, and likes to perform rituals to mark the transition from one season to the next. Her winter solstice ritual last year took place over the course of three days: Southworth created a charcoal sketching on the first day, rubbed some of it out on the second, and sat with her drawing at dusk to welcome the darkness of the solstice. "Enjoy the deepness, stillness and quietness of the darkness," she wrote on an instructional blog. "When you are ready, light a candle to welcome the return of light."

Experiment and have fun with it. People change, and rituals can, too.

Whether it's a daily or celebratory ritual, Southworth encourages people to experiment. "Trust your gut instinct if a ritual works right for you, and change things so that it feels good," she said. Make sure to have some context for the ritual or an idea of why you're performing it. Intent - and in some cases, repetition - is key. While Southworth has published her own ritualistic guides, she doesn't think that rigid rules are necessary. Rather, what's important is the mindset that the participant brings to the practice.

A ritual might not always produce the participant's sought-after effect, especially with their first few attempts. For Zen Buddhists, the repetitive nature of ritual action conditions the body so that the desired mental state will follow. Southworth offers a more fluid, beginner-friendly approach for casual ritualists. "Think of it as a way of letting go of the everyday," she said. "A ritual is like a poem. There's no wrong or right way."
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Mason Currey's interest in rituals grew out of his inability to write without distraction. Currey, a Los Angeles-based writer, became fascinated with the working habits of famous writers, whose days were seemingly subsumed by creative work. How were they so devoted and consistent with their craft?

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'Rituals'.

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Parents, Children and the Search for Identity

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By Andrew Solomon. Drawing on interviews with over three hundred families, covering subjects including deafness, dwarfs, Down's Syndrome, Autism, Schizophrenia, disability, prodigies, children born of rape, children convicted of crime and transgender people, this NY Times bestselling book documents ordinary people making courageous choices.

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Far From The Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity

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Paperback. Drawing on interviews with over three hundred families, covering subjects including deafness, dwarfs, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, Schizophrenia, disability, prodigies, children born of rape, children convicted of crime and transgender people, this book documents ordinary people making courageous choices. Num Pages: 976 pages. BIC Classification: VFVX; VSP. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (P) Professional & Vocational; (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 137 x 213 x 51. Weight in Grams: 936. Drawing on interviews with over three hundred families, covering subjects including deafness, dwarfs, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, Schizophrenia, disability, prodigies, children born of rape, children convicted of crime and transgender people, Andrew Solomon documents ordinary people making courageous choices.

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In a moving and thorough examination of parental love and acceptance of 'difficult' children, "Parenting," writes Andrew Solomon in Far from the Tree, "is no sport for perfectionists." The book starts out as a study of parents raising "difficult" children, and ends up as an affirmation of what it is to be human.

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"Parenting," writes Andrew Solomon in Far from the Tree, "is no sport for perfectionists." It's an irony of the book, 10 years in the making and his first since The Noonday Demon, that by militating against perfectionism, he only leaves the reader in greater awe of the art of the achievable. The book starts out as a study of parents raising "difficult" children, and ends up as an affirmation of what it is to be human.

The project grew out of Solomon's desire to forgive his own parents, who, while they effortlessly accepted his dyslexia as he was growing up - his mother campaigned for his rights in the face of educational prejudice - flunked the same test when it came to his sexuality. (An early sign that he was gay, writes Solomon, with the dryness of tone that makes the book so enjoyable, is that "when I was 10, I became fascinated by the tiny principality of Liechtenstein".) They didn't throw him out of the house, but neither did they disguise their disappointment. Years later, he got to thinking about how parents deal generally with children whose identities fall outside of their own - what he calls the child's "horizontal" as opposed to "vertical" identity - and the result is a fascinating examination of the accommodation of difference.

Religion, race, language and nationality are the customary verticals passed down from parent to child; horizontal refers to traits in a child that are foreign to the parents, either inherent, like a physical disability, or acquired, like criminality. "Vertical identities are usually respected as identities," writes Solomon. "Horizontal ones are often treated as flaws." Chapters follow on families coping with autism, dwarfism, schizophrenia, Down's syndrome, disability, deafness, child prodigy, transgender issues, criminality and children born of rape, and the first lesson of Solomon's research was the non-transferable sympathies of each group. Participants in the book who had shown extraordinary humanity in their own difficult circumstances bridled at the prospect of being lumped in with what they saw as less deserving special interests.

"Deaf people didn't want to be compared to people with schizophrenia; some parents of schizophrenics were creeped out by dwarfs. The prodigies and their families objected to being in a book with the severely disabled. Some children of rape felt that their emotional struggle was trivialised when they were compared to gay activists."

Solomon spoke to some 300 families in the course of researching the book, a rebuke to everything shoddy and dashed off in the culture, and the density of his empirical evidence decimates casual assumption. What unites most of his interviewees is a political sense of injustice in the way they are perceived by the mainstream. "Fixing is the illness model," writes Solomon. "Acceptance is the identity model."

With delicacy, he weighs the rights of various pressure groups to self-definition against the pragmatic limits of their arguments. In almost all cases, he finds, it is a better time to be different than it ever was. In the chapter on deafness, for example, he tells heartbreaking stories of deaf children growing up 30 years ago being denied any language, when their parents prevented them from learning sign, thinking it unduly stigmatising. Now, deaf- and sign-culture is widely accepted as valuable in its own right and deaf pride one of the most successful advocacy movements around.

Autism, the subject of Solomon's most interesting chapter because of the complex nature of the condition, is trickier. He interviews animal behaviour expert Temple Grandin, who is autistic, and has worked hard to explain what the condition is like from within, she argues for "aspie and autistic" pride without denying its drawbacks. "If you got rid of all the autism genetics," she says, "you'd get rid of scientists, musicians, mathematicians and all you'd have left is dried-up bureaucrats." Solomon notes that campaigners for autistic pride suffer somewhat in their advocacy, since they are, by definition, autistic, and lack the charm that campaigns of that nature tend to run on.

It's a timely book; the internet has changed the fortunes of many millennial children who might otherwise have grown up feeling isolated, and, along with their parents, given them communities. "I was determined not to be around folks who saw us as tragic," one exasperated mother of a disabled child told Solomon. "Unfortunately, that included my family, most professionals, and just about everyone else I knew." But online, she had instant access to others in her position.

The most contentious of these advocacy groups are the "neurodiversity" campaigners, also known as Mad Pride, who argue for the rights of those with serious mental illnesses to reduce, and in some cases reject, their medication. Here, Solomon presents page after page of interviews with those tormented by psychosis, most of whom became ill in their 20s, compounding a sense in their parents of having "lost" them. Contrary to other categories in the book, it is hard to see schizophrenia as anything other than a theft of identity, and Solomon quotes E Fuller Torrey, the psychiatrist and researcher into the illness: "Freedom to be insane is an illusory freedom."

Consistent across all categories is the extraordinary tenacity of parents' love for their children. (This is not the same as straightforward acceptance.) There are moments of casual heartbreak. The father of Maisie, a severely mentally disabled child in New York, takes her to Central Park and reflects on the fact that, in his position, no one ever thinks to come over "and suggest that their child could play with your child". If it hadn't been for Maisie, he adds, he would have been one of them.

There are reminders that, however hard they try, parents can't always protect their children from bigotry, most starkly in the case of Lateisha Green, a transgender woman from Syracuse, New York, shot dead at a party with the words: "We don't want faggots here."

And there are surprises. It's a virtue of the book that it ranges across the socioeconomic scale, and Solomon finds that those parents with high socioeconomic status "tend towards perfectionism, and have a harder time living with perceived defects" in their children than those struggling at the lower end.

The most fascinating and painful interviews are with those parents who forfeit the good opinion of their peers by not doing what is "expected" of them: a woman from Oxford who, after a terrible period of indecision, gives her mentally and physically disabled child up for adoption; the mother of two severely autistic children, who, when her husband asks, "Would you marry me again?", replies, "Yeah, but not with the kids." She adds, "Do I love my kids? Yes. Will I do everything for them? Yes." But, "I wouldn't do it again. I think anybody who tells you they would is lying."

The most powerful interview of the book is with Tom and Sue Klebold, parents of Dylan, one of the two teenagers who carried out the Columbine massacre, and who killed themselves after the shooting. The Klebolds have been vilified on the assumption that they must, surely, have contributed to their son's mental state but there is, Solomon writes, no evidence for it. Of everyone he interviewed, he felt the greatest connection with them. "It would have been better for the world if Dylan had never been born," says Sue of her son. "But I believe it would not have been better for me."

Solomon is never sentimental and, with a cool eye, he acknowledges that "aggrandising the nobility of woe is a coping strategy". Nonetheless, time and again in the book, a positive outlook is shown to be helpful. "A study that looked at children with various complications at birth found, simply, 'the children of mothers who had tried harder to find meaning had a better development outcome'." The mother of a child lost to gang culture would not give up her idea of him as basically good. "In the end, his mother had believed him into becoming who he had sometimes pretended to be."

There are philosophical dividends that slowly accrue as you read story after story of ordinary families made remarkable by circumstance, and Solomon quotes Foucault's argument that if error is "at the root of what makes human thought and its history" then to prohibit error would be to "end evolution". As EM Forster wrote, "the perfect organism would be silent". At the end of the book, Solomon writes of having a son with his partner, John, with the aid of a surrogate - a family he never thought he'd have. "What did I do?" asks the mother of a child with dwarfism who would never quite be like her. "I loved him."

Emma Brockes's She Left Me the Gun: My Mother's Life Before Me is published in April.

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Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon - review

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Emma Brockes on a moving and thorough examination of parental love and acceptance

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Quit yolking around, ya don't need eggs-ray vision..

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In this ground-breaking and inspiring guide, renowned Harvard psychologist Professor Michael Norton demonstrates how turning everyday habits into rituals can improve your work, your relationships and your life. Rituals can help us to forge winning teams, heal families experiencing grief and encourage us rise to challenges, big or small.

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In this ground-breaking and inspiring guide, renowned Harvard psychologist Professor Michael Norton demonstrates how turning everyday habits into rituals can improve your work, your relationships and your life. Think of the quirky traditions that you have with your friends. Or the unusual ways you and your family mark special occasions. Or the gifts your partner gives – and what you’d think if they’d bought the same for an ex. These are rituals: practices that are imbued with symbolic meaning. And they have the power to turn black-and-white moments into technicolour. In The Ritual Effect, Norton shares stories from sporting superstars (Serena Williams always bouncing the ball five times before her first serve), million-dollar companies (Zipcar urging staff to destroy their old desktops with sledgehammers) and ordinary people (inventing their own “ritual signatures”) to reimagine everyday moments, build camaraderie and spark joy. Rituals can help us to forge winning teams, heal families experiencing grief and encourage us rise to challenges, big or small. Now it’s time to create yours.

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At TEDx Cambridge, Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness - when you don't spend it on yourself. Listen for surprising data on the many ways pro-social spending can benefit you, your work, and (of course) other people.

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Let your brilliance shine with three days of guided mindfulness practices to revitalize body and mind and help you shift into springtime.

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Spring is an ideal time to nourish your mindfulness practice. With the change in seasons, boost of fresh air, and longer hours of daylight as inspiration, you can consciously invite in greater simplicity, love, and compassion, and clear those habits that no longer serve you. This three-day practice routine is designed to help you fit moments of mindfulness into your daily life—giving you a boost of calm, focused, natural energy and awakening your inner spark as you launch into spring.

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Let your brilliance shine with three days of guided mindfulness practices to revitalize body and mind and help you shift into springtime.

Spring is an ideal time to nourish your mindfulness practice. With the change in seasons, boost of fresh air, and longer hours of daylight as inspiration, you can consciously invite in greater simplicity, love, and compassion, and clear those habits that no longer serve you. With that in mind, we designed this three-day practice routine to help you fit moments of mindfulness into your daily life-giving you a boost of calm, focused, natural energy and awakening your inner spark as you launch into spring.

Day 1: Connect with Your Natural Awareness with Barry Boyce

Like any good spring cleaning, let's get right down to the basics of mindfulness and meditation. One of the most foundational aspects of mindfulness is the ability to calm and focus the mind using your breath. By bringing your attention back to the breath each time you feel your mind wander during meditation, you can strengthen your brain's natural ability to focus over time. Cultivate greater attention with these short meditation practices.

In mindfulness practice, you might often hear the term "natural awareness." By natural awareness, we mean the awareness that simply comes with being a human being. It's free from judging and characterizing-it's just noticing and sensing the world.

1. Settle into your seat. Begin by taking a seat, or if necessary, standing. The important thing is to feel where your body is touching the seat and touching the ground.

2. Scan the body. Sense where your bottom is touching the seat. Sit up straight or stand straight but not stiff. Make sure your feet are completely touching the ground, connecting you to the earth. Your eyes are open, so take in the surroundings of where you are. Lower your gaze slightly.

3. Connect with the breath. Pay light attention to your breath as it goes out. Breathe in naturally.

4. Follow the out-breath. At the end of each out-breath, let there be a gap while the in-breath is happening. And in that gap you have natural awareness: It's there already, you don't have to create it. So, follow the breath out, and take a moment to rest in your natural awareness before the in-breath. As thoughts arise, treat them as you would anything else you encounter: Notice them, and use that noticing to bring you back to the out-breath and ride it out.

The moment of noticing a thought is a very powerful moment. It's really where the meditation occurs. That's because there's a spark of insight at that point, what in technical terms is called meta-awareness: You're aware of your thought process, not just caught up in it. Now at that moment, there are lots of possibilities.

You can touch that thought and gently bounce back to attention on the breath and your body. But you might also say "Oh damn, there I go thinking again, I just can't get away from this."

One of the wonderful things about meditation is the fact that it allows for such a monumental amount of failure. Failure is just fine. So, if you're sitting in meditation for 10 minutes and you don't notice your thought until the bell rings at the end, that's what that session was about. You learn from it. There will be another one. No big deal.

1. First, feel your bottom on the seat, and your feet on the floor or the ground, flat, touching the earth. Your eyes can be open or closed, head tilted slightly down. Your shoulders are relaxed, your hands are resting on your thighs, and your upper arms are parallel to your torso. Just take a moment to feel that posture.

2. Now we're going to use the breath as an anchor for our attention. We don't concern ourselves with trying to adjust the rate of the breath, we just come with whatever breath we have.

3. Notice that your mind is like a waterfall of thoughts.As we try to pay attention to the breath coming in and out, our mind is filled with thoughts. And in mindfulness practice, just notice the thought. Touch it, and go back to the breath.

4. Let your thoughts go. No matter what's been going on during the session, you don't need to evaluate it, just let it go. Open your eyes, and enjoy what's coming next.

Day 2: Connect with Your Compassion with Sharon Salzberg

To connect more deeply with others, we must face the one person that we keep on the shortest leash: ourselves. We often reject other people's care or attention when we believe we don't deserve it-but there's nothing special you must do to deserve love. It is simply because you exist. Follow this guided meditation to open your heart toward giving and receiving love.

This meditation begins by imagining yourself surrounded by a circle of the most loving beings, making generous offerings of love and goodwill to you. Sit comfortably, eyes open or closed.

1. Imagine you're encircled by people who love you. You, in the center of a circle, made up of the most loving beings you've met. Maybe they exist now or they've existed historically, or even mythically.

2. Receive the love of those who love you. Experience yourself as the recipient of the energy, attention, care, and regard of all of these beings in your circle of love. Silently repeat phrases of tender love and care for yourself, not just for today but in an enduring way. Phrases that are big and open, like May I be safe, may I be happy, may I be healthy, may I live with ease of heart.

3. Notice how you feel when you receive love. You may feel gratitude and awe, or you might feel kind of shy. Whatever emotions arise, just let them wash through you. Repeat your phrases of tender care: May I be safe. May I be happy...

4. Open yourself up to receiving love. Imagine that your skin is porous and this warm, loving energy is coming in. Imagine yourself receiving love simply because you exist.

5. Send loving care to the people in your circle. Allow that quality of loving-kindness and compassion and care you feel coming toward you to flow right back out to the circle of loved ones and then toward all beings everywhere, so that what you receive, you transform into giving. When you feel ready you can open your eyes or lift your gaze to end the session.

In the evening * Remember Your Goodness
(10 minutes)

If you find yourself ruminating on the things you regret or mistakes you've made, try letting go of those habits with this exercise. It will help you redirect your attention and remember goodness within. The point is not to deny your mistakes, but if you keep rehearsing them, analyzing them, creating stories around them, you're simply reinforcing the pain and alienation they've already caused you. When you recognize and reflect on even one good thing about yourself, you are building a bridge to a place of kindness and caring. Sit comfortably in a relaxed, easy posture and close your eyes.

1. Bring to mind one thing you have done or said recently that you feel was kind or good. Maybe you smiled at someone or listened to their story; maybe you let go of your annoyance at a slow checkout clerk; maybe you were generous; maybe you sat down to meditate. It's not conceit or arrogance to consider these things. It's nourishing and replenishing to take delight in the good that moves through us.

2. Think of one of your qualities or skills that you like or appreciate. Perhaps you are enthused about helping others learn or committed to practicing patience toward your irascible neighbor.

3. Recognize that you want to be happy. If you still find yourself caught up in self-criticism, turn your attention to the mere fact that you have an urge toward happiness. There is kindness and beauty in that. Recall that all beings everywhere want to be happy, everybody wants to be happy.

4. Don't feel ashamed of your longing for happiness. Recall that happiness is your birthright. Seeking happiness is not a problem. The problem is that we often do not know where and how to find genuine happiness and so make the mistakes that cause suffering for ourselves and others. When we support the urge toward happiness with mindfulness, it can become like a homing instinct or a compass pointing us toward freedom.

5. Allow any impatience or judgments to emerge during this meditation. Don't feel as though you have failed if you start judging yourself. This is entirely natural. Simply allow the negative reaction to ebb as a wave on the beach, and see if you can return to the positive contemplation without self-criticism.

Day 3: Connect with Your Resilience with Mark Bertin

You cannot will yourself into particular feelings toward yourself or the world around you. Rather, you can simply remind yourself that you deserve happiness and ease-no more and no less than anyone else. The same goes for your child, your family, your friends, your neighbors, and everyone else in the world. Everyone is driven by an inner desire to avoid suffering and find a measure of peace and ease.

In the Morning * Tame Your Inner Critic
(10 minutes)

The inner critic is like the two old guys on The Muppet Show endlessly deriding whatever is unfolding on your life's stage. Attempting to reason with your inner tyrant only validates it, as if it deserves your attention. It's really just an unhelpful pattern of thinking most of us pick up along the way. And while the push to be perfect can be exhausting, we can invite more ease into our lives with practice.

1. Begin by focusing on your breathing. Notice the physical sensation of breathing in, and then breathing out. Find yourself a posture of ease and strength. When your attention wanders, simply come back to breathing in and breathing out.

2. Notice your judgy mind at work. For many of us, simply attempting to focus on the breath is enough to bring a lot of self-judgment to mind. You may immediately start thinking "I'm not very good at this" or "I should do this more often." But for this brief practice, consciously reflect on somewhere else in your life where you feel judged. At school, at work, as a parent, or as a child?

3. Notice how judgment is more than a single thought. Judgment affects how you feel, bringing tension or unease to your body. It may influence your emotional state as well. Notice where your thoughts go when experiencing this kind of self-criticism. What patterns do you fall into under this kind of stress?

4. Practice leaving that voice of judgment, that inner critic, alone. Stop wrestling with it or appeasing it, or pushing it away. Label it if you want, or even give it a funny name if you prefer. Recognize what it feels like to you, and then let it be.

5. Breathe in, notice. Breathe out, let go. On each in-breath, acknowledge whatever you're experiencing right now in your body. What are your emotions? Your thoughts? There's nothing to fix or change, this is what's going on right now. Then, on each out-breath, offer yourself relief. Wish yourself what you would a close friend with the same doubts. Wish yourself relief or strength or humor or joy or anything else that feels appropriate. Breathing in, this is how things are; breathing out, focusing on ease or whatever else comes to mind.

6. Wish yourself well, not because you deserve it more than anyone else, but because you deserve it as much as anyone else.

In the evening * Ease Into Sleep
(no time limit)

Neither sleep routines nor mindfulness practice respond well to a heavy hand. If you set out to force yourself into sleep, you're less likely to sleep. If you strain for some picture-perfect mindset when meditating, you'll create more stress and uncertainty. If you set yourself up with clear-sighted planning and patient resolve- intentionally but unforced-sleep and mindfulness are both more likely to follow.

1. Begin while lying down,and bringing your attention to the physical movement related to breathing, such as your belly rising and falling. Or, if you prefer, focus your attention more closely on the air moving in and out of your nose and mouth.

2. Observe your thoughts. Your mind rehashes the day or gets caught up in worrying about tomorrow. Recognize those habits, and then practice letting them be. Label whatever grabs your attention, and come back again to noticing the sensations of the breath. Breathing in... and breathing out.

3. Notice if you get caught up in effort, or frustration, or fear-with compassion for yourself. Catch thoughts of self-criticism or frustration, and come back to just one breath, one more time. Breathing in...breathing out. There's nothing you need to fix or change right now in this moment. Notice where your thoughts go, and label them "thoughts." Come back to one next breath, over, and over again.

4. Shift attention to sensations in your body. Start by moving your awareness to physical sensations in your feet. Just notice them - the temperature or the pressure of your heel against the blanket.

5. From your feet, move your attention up into your lower legs, and then your abdomen, noticing in each area of your body whatever there is to notice. Letting go of a sense of effort or needing to make anything happen. If you feel any sense of stress or tension, relax, breathe, and let go.

6. Move your attention from the belly into the chest and the back. Note each time your mind gets caught up in thoughts of discomfort or distraction or you feel any tension. Relax your muscles, gently and with patience.

7. Shift your attention into your hands and lower arms,again without actively needing to move or change anything, simply observing, and then letting go.

8. Then move your attention through your neck and into the muscles of your face, perhaps noticing any locations of tightness or pinching, and then with gentleness, as best as you're able, relaxing those muscles. And then for a few moments, have a general awareness of physical sensations throughout your body.

9. And then (if you're still awake) bring your attention back to the breath. Each time the mind wanders, or you get stuck thinking, bring your attention to the sensation of your body breathing.

In a world driven by competition and comparison, Sharon Salzberg contends shifting our definition of love might be the key to reconnecting to what matters most. Read More

Guided mindfulness practices from Mark Bertin, MD, author of Mindful Parenting for ADHD. Read More

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Take a 3-Day Mindfulness Journey: 6 Practices for Spring - Mindful

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Let your brilliance shine with three days of guided mindfulness practices to revitalize body and mind and help you shift into springtime. Spring is an ideal time to nourish your mindfulness practice. With the change in seasons, boost of fresh air, and longer hours of daylight as inspiration, you can consciously invite in greater simplicity, love, and compassion, and clear those habits that no longer serve you.

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'There is only one race - the human race.' - Rosa Parks

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Newsletter Padlet Link - Prepare Protect Thrive : Navigating Algorithms and Influencers

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Five truths about our teenage boys we need to address urgently

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"In Ireland, masculinity is at a crossroads. We are in the process of rejecting the harmful ideas of the past, but are feeling our way slowly and uncertainly forward." Eoghan Cleary

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Adolescence: Five truths about our teenage boys we need to address urgently

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In Ireland, masculinity is at a crossroads. We are in the process of rejecting the harmful ideas of the past but are feeling our way slowly and uncertainly forward

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The one day every year when EVERYBODY is Irish..

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There will be a number of actions and activities across the week for our inaugural intercultural & anti-racism week. This week coincides with our national holiday, St. Patrick's Day, with European-Wide Action Week Against Racism and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

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Main sources of online and in-person help and support for young people.

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Peggy Fitzsimmons Says Decluttering Your Space Can Help You Find More Peace

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Many of us are experiencing an unsettling sense of disconnection, from ourselves, from each other. The relentless headlines and fear-inducing narratives have our heads spinning, hearts breaking, and legs wobbly with uncertainty. The good news is we can create the conditions for more connection. It begins at home and within. The way forward is to take an honest look at our inner and outer environments and let go of the clutter that no longer serves.

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Many of us are experiencing an unsettling sense of disconnection-from ourselves, from each other, and from the truth of our souls. The relentless headlines and fear-inducing narratives have our heads spinning, hearts breaking, and legs wobbly with uncertainty. The good news is we can create the conditions for more connection. It begins at home and within. The way forward is to take an honest look at our inner and outer environments and let go of the clutter that no longer serves.

Releasing requires us to reconnect with two aspects that live within each of us: the soul and the ego. The soul is eternal, inherently wise, and loving. It knows peace, joy, and gratitude. It is free and unattached yet deeply grounded and connected to everyone and everything. Its mantra is "I am enough, you are enough, and there is enough." In contrast, the ego is the image we construct of ourselves; the beliefs, needs, roles, and possessions we identify with in the world. The ego is concerned with self-preservation, success, and survival. It knows fear, competition, and scarcity. It sees us as separate from all other beings and the earth itself. Its mantra is "I am not enough, you are not enough, and there is not enough."

All forms of clutter are our ego made visible. It might be mental clutter, such as fear, resistance, and judgments. Or emotional clutter like sadness, anxiety, and rage. It can be energetic clutter, such as striving, needing, and agitation. Or relationship clutter like jealousy, disharmony, and status-seeking. Very often it's the most noticeable of all clutter, a house full of things you don't truly love or really need. Clutter leaves us drained, overwhelmed, ungrounded, and disconnected from ourselves and others.

Releasing Clutter

To release clutter, we have to put our soul in the driver's seat and keep our ego where it belongs, riding shotgun. Let's start by setting an intention. Get quiet and ask to be shown what your soul is longing for right now. The answer may come as an image or a word or a phrase or a gut feeling. Trust what you perceive. Some examples are ease, lightness of being, enacting my vision, or balance. Once you identify your soul intention, it will serve as your guide. The things in your life that are not a match will reveal themselves.

Rely on these questions as you declutter. Ask them about everything in your life-thoughts, feelings, energies, ways of relating, and possessions:
Does it contribute to my soul intention?
This question cuts directly to what is essential. For example, does it create a sense of lightness of being or balance or help you enact your vision? If it doesn't, let it go.
Is it beautiful?
Simple enough, but one caveat. You may answer, "Yes, that is a beautiful vintage mirror" but if you prefer modern design, it would be a candidate for release. If it isn't beautiful to YOU, let it go.
Is it useful?
You may say, "I think this shame feeling keeps me safe, so yes, it is useful," when in reality it stops you from sharing your soul gifts. If it's not truly useful, let it go.
Does it love me back?
The things that love you back make your heart sing. In their presence, your energy lights up and you say, "Oh, I LOVE that!" If your inner or outer stuff doesn't evoke that feeling, let it go.
Is it in present time?
If you hang out in past time, you'll have a file cabinet that barely opens, skinny clothes in your closet, and lots of regrets. If you hang out in future time, you'll have an overabundance of worry and paper towels, and a tendency to think "I have to keep this, just in case." If it's not who you are now, and in present time, let it go.
Does it have a sacred place to live?
Of all the things in this great big world, you've chosen these particular things to fill your inner and outer spaces. That automatically makes them sacred and deserving of a place of honor. And worthy of being kept clean and neat, easily accessible, and appreciated. If it doesn't have a sacred place to live, let it go.
Does it help me serve my love to the world?
Your soul knows the unique ways you are meant to love. If something in your life doesn't help you serve your love to the world, it no longer serves you. Let it go.

Reconnecting with Ourselves

Here are some strategies to release clutter and reconnect to your true nature:
Soften into Acceptance
As you go through your day, practice engaging with what is in front of you, not your story about it. For example, if you are washing dishes, be present with that. You are simply washing the dishes. There is nothing to resist. But you might notice a familiar narrative joins you at the sink. It mutters under your breath: "I can't believe I'm stuck doing the dishes again! No one else helps and they are so unappreciative of all I do! I'm sick and tired of this family and I'm gonna go live on an island by myself!" Listen for your stories, the "greatest hits" of your ego soundtrack. They are active all day long. Smile at them. Feel the resistance in them. Acceptance is the antidote for resistance. So, soften into acceptance whenever you can.Acceptance clears the mind, liberates the energy tied up in resistance, and enables our inner wise self to create solutions.
Trust Your Intuition
We rely on the "fake news" of our ego as our primary source of information. But the soul is also a source of information. It speaks in a lower volume and a different language. It communicates through intuition, sending subtle guidance our way. Consult with your soul self often, in matters large and small. What food would nourish me right now? What choice will create peace within me? What action is the most loving to me and others? An answer may come in the form of words, images, or a feeling in your bones. Trust what you receive. And then practice following that guidance, even when your ego, and other egos, try to convince you otherwise.
Affirm the Soul
Be on the lookout for soul energies within yourself and others, such as love, enthusiasm, gratitude, compassion, and contentment. Pay special attention to the energy you bring to relationships. Commit to be with others with your presence, not your solutions. Speak from your soul voice rather than your ego, which criticizes, fears, and doubts. Trust people to make their own decisions. The ultimate relational state is to be a space where others can let go of whatever they need to let go of. Show up like a big old redwood tree with wide interconnected roots, still and listening, so that nothing in you interferes with that.

I will leave you with some homework to experience one of the best soul energies-the energy of sharing. Be a living example that there is enough to go around by releasing five of your no-longer-needed possessions to someone who truly needs them. Enjoy the flow of giving and receiving that is true connection!
Peggy Fitzsimmons has helped many people get their houses in order through intensive decluttering. A former staff of the Omega Institute, she was a consulting producer on Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul Sunday. In her book Release: Create a Clutter Free and Soul Driven Life, she shares spiritual and practical insights for living in alignment with our true soul nature. To learn more visit peggyfitzsimmons.com.

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Overwhelmed by the News? Peggy Fitzsimmons Says Decluttering Your Space Can Help You Find More Peace

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Many of us are experiencing an unsettling sense of disconnection-from ourselves, from each other, and from the truth of our souls. The relentless headlines and fear-inducing narratives have our heads spinning, hearts breaking, and legs wobbly with uncertainty. The good news is we can create the conditions for more

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"Wherever you are, at any moment, try and find something beautiful. A face, a line out of a poem, the clouds out of a window, some graffiti, a wind farm. Beauty cleans the mind." - Matt Haig

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'Conspirituality'.

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Wellbeing Bulletin #3 2024-25 'Conspirituality'

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If winter is wintering a little too long for your liking, start spotting glimmers to get you through until spring.

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Wellbeing | Eye Spy Glimmers | The Simple Things

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If winter is wintering a little too long for your liking, start spotting glimmers to get you through until spring. We went on a Glimmer Hunt in our February issue, noticing the small things that make us feel safe and calm. One of the things we loved most was the idea of compiling a Glimmer Librar

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This year, the focus for Mental Health Awareness Week is learning about the importance of those everyday micro-moments of joy, calm, peace and gratitude for our mental health. There will be workshops, a Walk into Light, dance, and other opportunities to 'get your glimmer on'!

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As humans, we are constantly scanning the environment around us for safety and danger. And, according to polyvagal theory, the way our nervous system perceives threats impacts how our brain and body will respond to the situation.

If you feel like you are experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety, it may be helpful to work on exercises to calm the vagus nerve.

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Have you ever been in a situation where you feel uncertain or in danger but you're not sure why? You may look around and see no one else is bothered, but something still feels off to you.

You may not realize it, but you are walking around the world each day reading thousands of social cues in your environment. In our interactions with others, we pick up facial expressions, tones of voice, bodily movement, and more. We are constantly observing and interacting with the world and others as part of the human experience.

As we have these interactions with others, our sense of self is being shaped. We learn who we can trust and who feels dangerous to us. Our bodies are processing this type of information constantly through these interactions with the world.

The Body's Surveillance System

Our nervous system is a complex structure that gathers information from all over our body and coordinates activity. There are two main parts of the nervous system: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Central Nervous System

The central nervous system consists of two structures:

Brain: This is the structure composed of billions of interconnected neurons, or nerve cells, contained in the skull. It functions as the coordinating center for almost all of our body's functions. It is the seat of our intellect.

Spinal cord: This is a bundled network of nerve fibers that connects most parts of our body to our brain.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system consists of all of the nerves outside of our brain and spinal cord. It can be categorized into two distinct systems:

Somatic nervous system (voluntary): This system allows our muscles and brains to communicate with each other. The somatic system helps our brain and spinal cord to send signals to our muscles to help them move, as well as sends information from the body back to the brain and spinal cord.

Autonomic nervous system (involuntary): This is the system that controls the glands and internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system. This system runs the important parts of our body without us having to intentionally think about them. For example, we can breathe without having to think about taking a breath each time.

Reading Danger Cues

Our autonomic nervous system is complex and always busy. In addition to running important functions in our bodies, our autonomic nervous system is also helping us to scan, interpret, and respond to danger cues.

There are two separate systems at work within our autonomic nervous system that help us read and respond to danger cues:

Sympathetic nervous system. This system arouses our bodies to respond by mobilizing us to move when in dangerous situations. Many refer to this system as our "fight or flight" response to danger cues in our environment. It is also responsible for activating our adrenal glands to release epinephrine into our bloodstream, otherwise known as creating an adrenaline rush. When we see a snake, our sympathetic nervous system will read the cue of the potential threat and prompt our body to respond, likely involving a quick adrenaline rush and immediate movement away from the snake.

Parasympathetic nervous system. This system is involved in calming our bodies and conserving energy by slowing our heart rate, regulating our digestion, and lowering our blood pressure. Some refer to this system as the "rest and digest" system. As we begin to read that a cue is not dangerous, our body begins to calm down with the help of our parasympathetic nervous system.

The Vagus Nerve

One nerve is of particular interest to Dr. Stephen Porges, Ph.D. Dr. Porges is a distinguished university lecturer, scientist, and developer of what is referred to as The Polyvagal Theory. The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve, a very long and wandering nerve that begins at the medulla oblongata, a part of the brain located in the lower part of the brain just above where the brain connects with our spinal cord.

There are two sides to this vagus nerve, the dorsal (back) and the ventral (front). From there, the two sides of the vagus nerve run down throughout our body. They are considered to have the widest distribution of nerves within the human body.

Scanning our Environment

From the time we are born, we are intuitively scanning our environment for cues of safety and danger.

A baby responds to the safe feelings of closeness with their parent or caregiver. Likewise, a baby will respond to cues that are perceived as scary or dangerous, like a stranger, a scary noise, or a lack of response from their caregiver. We scan for cues of safety and danger our entire lives.

Neuroception

In polyvagal theory, Dr. Porges describes the process in which our neural circuits read cues of danger in our environment as neuroception. Through this process of neuroception, we are experiencing the world in a way in which we are involuntarily scanning situations and people to determine if they are safe or dangerous.

As part of our autonomic nervous system, this process is happening without us being aware of it. Just as we are able to breathe without having to intentionally tell ourselves to take a breath, we are able to scan our environment for cues without telling ourselves to do so.

The vagus nerve is of particular interest during this process of neuroception. In the process of neuroception, both sides of our vagus nerve can be stimulated. Each side (ventral and dorsal) has been found to respond in distinct ways as we scan and process information from our environment and social interactions.

The ventral side of the vagus nerve responds to cues of safety in our environment and interactions. It supports feelings of physical safety and safe emotional connection to others in our social environment.

The dorsal side of the vagus nerve responds to cues of danger. It pulls us away from connection, out of awareness, and into a state of self-protection. In moments when we might experience a cue of extreme danger, we can shut down and feel frozen, an indication that our dorsal vagal nerve has taken over.

Three Developmental Stages of Response

Within his polyvagal theory, Porges describes the three evolutionary stages involved in the development of our autonomic nervous system. Rather than simply suggesting that there is a balance between our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, Porges describes a hierarchy of responses built into our autonomic nervous system.

Immobilization. Described as the oldest pathway, this involves an immobilization response. As you might remember, the dorsal side of the vagus nerve responds to cues of extreme danger, causing us to become immobile. This causes us to respond to fear by becoming frozen, numb, and shutting down. It is almost as if our parasympathetic nervous system is kicking into overdrive as our response causes us to freeze rather than simply slow down.

Mobilization. Within this response, we tapped into our sympathetic nervous system which helps us mobilize in the face of a danger cue. We spring into action with our adrenaline rush to get away from danger or to fight off our threat. Polyvagal theory suggests this pathway was next to develop in the evolutionary hierarchy.

Social engagement. The newest addition to the hierarchy of responses is based on the ventral (front) side of the vagus nerve. This part of the vagus nerve responds to feelings of safety and connection. Social engagement allows us to feel anchored, which is facilitated by that ventral vagus pathway. In this space, we can feel safe, calm, connected, and engaged.

The Response Hierarchy in Daily Life

As we go through life engaging with the world, there are inevitably moments when we will feel safe and others when we will feel discomfort or danger. Polyvagal theory suggests this space is fluid and we can move in and out of these different places within the hierarchy of responses easily.

For example, we might experience social engagement in the embrace of a safe loved one and, within the same day, find ourselves in mobilization as we are confronted with danger such as a rabid dog, a robbery, or an intense conflict with a coworker.

There are also may be times when we read and respond to a danger cue in a way that leaves us feeling trapped and unable to get out of the situation. In those moments, our body is responding to increased feelings of anger and distress, moving into a more primal space of immobilization. Our dorsal vagus nerve is impacted and locks us down into a place of freezing, feeling numb, and, as some researchers believe, dissociating.

Danger cues can become overwhelming in these moments and we see no viable way out. An example of this could be moments of sexual or physical abuse.

Impact of Trauma

When someone has experienced trauma, particularly in experiences where they were left immobilized, their ability to scan their environment for danger cues can become skewed. Of course, our body's goal is to prevent a terrifying moment like it again, so it will do whatever it needs to to protect us.

When our body picks up a cue within an interaction that signals we may not be safe, it begins to respond. For most, this cue moves them into a place of a mobilization response, springing into action to neutralize or escape the threat.

For those who have experienced trauma, a danger cue can move them directly to immobilization. As they come to associate numerous interpersonal cues as dangerous, such as a slight change of facial expression, a particular tone of voice, or certain types of body posturing, they may find themselves responding in a way that is familiar to them in an effort to prepare and protect themselves.

In these situations, mobilization may not be registered by the body as an option. This can be quite confusing for trauma survivors who are unaware of how this hierarchy of response is influenced by their interactions with others and the world.

As humans, we are constantly scanning the environment around us for safety and danger. And, according to polyvagal theory, the way our nervous system perceives threats impacts how our brain and body will respond to the situation.

If you feel like you are experiencing excess immobilization, or are seeing danger cues more often than you should, it may be helpful to work on exercises to calm the vagus nerve. Ways to calm the vagus nerve are mostly physical, including meditation, exercise, and breathing exercises. Psychotherapy may also be helpful, especially if your "fight-or-flight" response may be overactive due to past trauma.

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How Does Our Vagus Nerve Impact How We Respond to Social Situations?

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The polyvagal theory provides insight into how the nervous system works in response to social cues to protect us from danger and uncertainty.

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A Key Player in Your Health and Well-Being

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Your body is the coolest thing you will ever own. Your body is also a complex and intricately connected system, with your brain and nervous system playing a central role in regulating its various functions. Among the many nerves that make up this system, the vagus nerve stands out for its profound influence on physical and mental health. Often referred to as the "wandering nerve" because of its extensive reach throughout the body, this article explores the anatomy of the vagus nerve, and its role and impact on your overall health.

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The Vagus Nerve: A Key Player in Your Health and Well-Being

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Lisa Keer, NBC-HWC, explores the anatomy of the vagus nerve, and its role and impact on your overall health.

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Noticing your triggers is something that can be difficult to learn. When you are in emotional distress of any kind, it can be hard to see ‘outside’ of that experience to what might have caused it, as the experience itself is very overwhelming. That’s why it can be useful to think about this even when you’re feeling better or your distress has somewhat subsided, as it could help you protect yourself from environments that negatively impact your mental health.

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Noticing your triggers is something that can be difficult to learn. When you are in emotional distress of any kind, it can be hard to see 'outside' of that experience to what might have caused it, as the experience itself is very overwhelming. That's why it can be useful to think about this even when you're feeling better or your distress has somewhat subsided, as it could help you protect yourself from environments that negatively impact your mental health.

A trigger might be obvious, for example, an upsetting word or image, but could also be harder to pinpoint, for example, a general sense of unease after spending a lot of time with someone or talking about a particular topic in depth.

Another reason it can be difficult to spot triggers is that they may be things that are part of every day, 'normal' life, which aren't always things we are taught that we can question or challenge. For example, some people find loud noises particularly alarming, and find that they trigger symptoms of panic, fear or anxiety, so they would feel safer in environments where people try to be actively mindful of that.

It is always okay to say something if there is an activity, experience or conversation that causes you emotional distress - you might find that something can be done to avoid having to encounter it again. Ultimately, you deserve to be in an environment that makes you feel safe and secure.

Psychology Today have these top tips to managing your emotional triggers which you may find helpful.

There isn't much academic research in the area of self-care for young people who are living with mental health issues. We are trying to find out more about what works for different people so we can better advise other young people what to try. If you've tried this activity when you were struggling in relation to your mental health, please let us know if it helped you and how by clicking on the 'Did this activity help you' button.
What young people have told us:
'Noticing what triggers you off gives you the opportunity to repel a negative consequence in your mind. by avoiding the trigger or thinking against the negative consequence.'

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Noticing your triggers is something that can be difficult to learn. When you are in emotional distress of any kind, it can be hard to see 'outside' of that experience to what might have caused it, as the experience itself is very overwhelming.

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Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They are micro-moments of joy, peace, calm and gratitude. 

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Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Children

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Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Children

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Learning to think critically may be one of the most important skills that today’s children will need for the future. In today’s rapidly changing world, children need to be able to do much more than repeat a list of facts; they need to be critical thinkers who can make sense of information, analyze, compare, contrast, make inferences, and generate higher order thinking skills.

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Critical Thinking for Kids Article posted by Bright Horizons on October 10, 2024

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Critical Thinking for Kids | Bright Horizons®

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Critical thinking and problem solving are foundational for kids’ development. Learn how to help your kids become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers.

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Each action in the Five Ways to Wellbeing can make a positive difference to your life.

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple actions to practice each day to maintain or improve our mental health and wellbeing. The New Economics Foundation developed the set of evidence-based actions in 2008. The project examined research from across the world on proven actions that can help us to feel good and function well.

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Today's practice is Breath Awareness.

The breath is a terrific tool we have at our disposal to create more calm in ourselves. Stress makes our breathing faster and shallower which leads to tension in our bodies and also our minds. Allowing yourself space to breathe is wonderful gift that will reward you in untold ways. Attending to the breath has an extraordinary way of slowing down the breath and soothing the autonomic nervous system. It's as though the breath says "Oh, Thank you for noticing me, Now I can relax!". Sitting with your breath and following it in and out of your body can be difficult because the mind wants you to follow it instead. By noticing when your attention has gone somewhere else, and coming back to the breath again, you are 'flexing your awareness muscle' and strengthening your ability to focus. Informally, you can avail of opportunities during the day to pause with your breath.

Notice any insights form practicing breath awareness that arise for you.

You are invited to join us for another Mental Health Ireland's Mindful Moment Guided Practice Live Stream on Facebook at 1.30 pm .

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Today's practice is Breath Awareness. The breath is a terrific tool we have at our disposal to create more calm in ourselves. Stress makes our breathing faster and shallower which leads to tension in our bodies and also our minds. Allowing yourself space to breathe is wonderful gift that will reward you in untold ways.

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Algorithms? We should be afraid - very afraid..

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Algorithms? We should be afraid - very afraid..

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The Wall Street Journal created dozens of automated accounts that watched hundreds of thousands of videos to reveal how the the TikTok algorithm knows you so well. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that TikTok only needs one important piece of information to figure out what you want: the amount of time you linger over a piece of content. Every second you hesitate or re-watch, the app is tracking you.

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How TikTok's Algorithm Figures You Out | WSJ

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"We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them." - Einstein

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'Be Active': For Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing 

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'Be Active': For Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing 

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Scientists confirm physical activity can help maintain wellbeing and good mental health in a number of ways. Being active doesn’t mean you need to train for a marathon. You can find physical activity that you enjoy and fit into your daily/ weekly routine. This may be a daily walk to the shops instead of taking the car, a weekly gardening session, some yoga, swimming or a weekend walk.

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Social media is a significant part of many children’s lives, but behind the seemingly endless scroll of posts and videos lies a hidden force that determines what your child sees: social media algorithms. Recently, the issue of harmful and repetitive content has sparked widespread concern. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are often used by young people, have been criticized for pushing content that can negatively impact mental health.

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A Parents’ Guide to Social Media Algorithms | Kidslox

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Discover the dangers hidden in social media algorithms, how they impact mental health and what to do to protect your kids.

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Sure where would ye be..?

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Literally…

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Feb. 11th, 2025 - Theme: Prepare, Protect, Thrive: Navigating Algorithms & Influencers

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The week of February 10th, 2025 is 'Safer Internet Week' at SPS. We will have themed lessons on safely navigating life online, with a particular focus on algorithms and influencers. There will be extra-curricular activities too. Loads more information here.

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We asked leading authorities for the truth about probiotics, elimination diets, leaky gut and more.

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Wellness influencers often talk about “gut health” as a key factor in overall physical and even mental health. But, what is an “optimal gut” and how do you attain it? Is juicing necessary? What about cutting out inflammatory foods? Gastroenterologists, dieticians, and other experts debunk common myths and provide sound advice on how to support a healthy microbiome.

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We asked leading authorities for the truth about probiotics, elimination diets, leaky gut and more.

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How can people protect themselves from social media deceit?

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The saga of the person who duped GAA players and others by posing as someone else and using a network of bogus contacts shows the perils of the online world - but what rights do people have?

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The GAA catfish and fake online profiles: how can people protect themselves from social media deceit?

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The saga involves a person who duped GAA players and others by posing as someone else and using a bogus network of contacts

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This self-guided check-in will help you take stock of your emotional wellbeing, and learn how to make changes. 

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While most of us regularly stay on top of our physical health—we get check-ups, exercise, try to eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep—regularly checking in with our emotional health is less common, though arguably just as important. The series of questions in this excellent piece will help you not only assess your well-being, but also identify the various aspects of your mental health and home in on what’s working and where you might need to make some adjustments.

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This self-guided check-in will help you take stock of your emotional well-being — and learn how to make changes.

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Forget the same old resolutions and aim to live more peacefully instead.

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10 Stress Relieving Techniques for the New Year

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10 Stress Relieving Techniques for the New Year

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Around the first of the year, most of us begin focusing on improving our lives. While resolutions often centre on developing new habits that will get us into better physical shape, just reducing stress and getting into better mental and emotional shape can provide huge rewards. This year, consider incorporating new habits to reduce stress and increase happiness and overall life satisfaction. Here are some important steps you can take to be happier, healthier, and more relaxed in the new year.

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Resolve to Beat Stress With These 10 Steps

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Reducing stress can provide huge rewards. These New Year’s resolution ideas can lower stress and improve your health at the same time.

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Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Programmes Information for Parents

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Does your child ever feel anxious or overwhelmed? Do they experience emotional difficulties? Do you ever feel overwhelmed or that you could benefit from guidance on how to support your child? This programme will help parents and carers of children aged 5-18, looking to support their children in dealing with worry and anxiety. You will also learn helpful strategies to deal with your own anxiety. Click the image to learn more.