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Join the Be the Change Community...join our newsletter so we can continue to see each other and build our wellness community together! The link below will lead you to our newsletter sign-up page. 

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Join the Be the Change Community...join our newsletter so we can continue to see each other and build our wellness community together! The link below will lead you to our newsletter sign-up page. 

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Be the Change Collective | Instagram | Linktree

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Attached are the slides we shared on Sat Oct 18!

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Wellness Panel - SCC Womens Summit 2025 Deck V2

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Thank you again for sharing your time and experience with us - and thank you for growing my tribe!

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Thank you again for sharing your time and experience with us - and thank you for growing my tribe!

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Thank you so much for this amazing meeting. I’m very happy to be here. I’m waiting for “ Rising and Shining “.

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Thank you so much for this amazing meeting. I’m very happy to be here. I’m waiting for “ Rising and Shining “.

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Thank you for this session! What message do you have for youth who channel their political activism through art? 

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Thank you for this session! What message do you have for youth who channel their political activism through art? 

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Great presentation with amazing information 

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Great presentation with amazing information 

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What happens when we don’t have balance in our wellness?

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SAMHSA's 8 dimensions of wellness presented by Peggy Cho

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(FREE) Resources, events, networking, community for emerging artists in Santa Clara County.

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genARTS SV is a professional social network for emerging arts, cultural, and creative leaders. Join us in advancing your dream!

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Marissa's Website (Zine Workshop Offerings)

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Marissa's Website (Zine Workshop Offerings)

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Marissa May Macaraeg Martinez is a playwright and arts advocate born and raised in East San José. Since 2007, she has written plays, short stories, and poetry inspired by her experience as a second generation Latina-Filipina. She writes about identity, growing up, mental health, friendship, and fruit with the goal of expressing herself and representing her communities, emerging artists, and youth. She also enjoys painting and making zines!

Marissa earned a B.A. in English and Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University and has been featured by EASTSIDE Magazine, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, La Raíz Magazine, Sampaguita Press, More Más Marami Arts, CONTENT magazine, and Bindlestiff Studio. During the day, Marissa is a nonprofit communicator and fundraiser and when she isn't writing, Marissa enjoys ice cream, decorating her planner, and watching live theatre.

Marissa's recent plays include staged readings of Now It's A Party (Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, 2025), stonefruit (Santa Clara University, 2024), and your twenties (More Más Marami Arts, 2023). She continues to write plays about alebrijes, grief, farmworkers, and following your dreams.

Connect with Marissa via email at marissamaym@gmail.com or on Instagram @marmaym.

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Marissa May Macaraeg Martinez is a playwright and arts advocate born and raised in East San José. Since 2007, she has written plays, short stories, and poetry inspired by her experience as a second generation Latina-Filipina. She writes about identity, growing up, mental health, friendship, and fruit with the goal of expressing herself and representing...

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Marissa's Zine Activity Slides + Resources

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Marissa's Zine Activity Slides + Resources

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Check out this Presentation designed by marissamaym.

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Meredith Curry Nuñez | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

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Building the capacity of professionals that build the capacity of others.

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Mer's blog article on achieving 1,000 days of meditation

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Mer's blog article on achieving 1,000 days of meditation

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Includes resources you can use!

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Back to Blog

​I have so far invested over three years to my practice and it has been the best investment of my life.

I've met the most extraordinary professionals who have practiced 5+ years, 10+ years, and 20+ years, all very much human, all very much benefiting in their own ways from their own unique practices.

I didn't just try mindfulness meditation, or any kind of meditation. My best friend Lara recommended the mobile app Calmto me during a stressful time of my life, and for me it's made all the difference. I know friends and colleagues who've tried all kinds of different meditation apps, websites, YouTube channels, etc. This article will highlight the resources I or my trusted allies have used and vetted, so that you can choose for yourself what is right for you. Whenever possible I like to try all the different options, because from day to day I never know what will speak to me, so I keep my mind and heart open.
​
There are options for you that are free or require monthly or annual subscriptions. I am not being paid to push any of these products, I just get a lot of questions about what I use or what I know is useful, so this is where I document my findings. I hope you find something here that speaks to you, but if not, it doesn't hurt to give something new a try!

​Yesterday (Sunday, August 30, 2020), I hit 1,000 days of daily meditation practice, using the mobile app Calm!
This is just one of what I hope to be many huge milestones for me as I pursue personal well-being, clarity, fulfillment, and most importantly, appreciation for my life as it is, in this moment.

I've had the Calm app since December 14, 2016. At this point in the game, I have to admit I am a champion of Calm. Whether or not I'm a formal affiliate (in the works), I am definitely an admirer and evangelist. Not just because it's a great app whether you use the free version or the subscription version, but because they also facilitate a fantastic Facebook community and YouTube channel, all for free-zies! They help millions!

In this review, I'll explain what I used, why I used it, and how I think it helped me in real life.
​

So what has it done for me?

Mindfulness meditation is now the undercurrent to every waking, conscious moment. It manifests itself in the following ways and this isn't a comprehensive list:
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I am more present with people, and perhaps more importantly, with myself when I'm alone.

When I am present to myself and what's happening in my mind, I am able to observe it and realize that my thinking is not reality - it's just thought.

If I realize my thoughts are unhelpful, such as the all-too-familiar bouts of negative self-talk, I can pause, recognize that it's negative self-talk, offer myself silent words of affirmation, and direct love to self in the same way I would direct it to a friend if she was beating herself up for something.

I recognize my self-worth and accept myself, and not despite my flaws and imperfections, but because of my flaws and imperfections. They are what make me, me. They are what differentiate me from you. They are what give me room to grow and explore my perception of imperfection, and at the end of that journey, find acceptance and appreciation for that which makes me, me.

I recognize the worth and capabilities of others. I see them more as who they are, rather than what I might wish them to be.

I can let go of attachment to outcome. Rather than doing something with an expectation it will look like XYZ at the end, I put 100% into the doing, allowing the result to be what it is. I tap into gratitude for what it is, not what I thought it was supposed to be.

I see the world clearer. I practice beginner's mind daily and find awe in the beauty of the garden my partner tends to, the singing and fluttering of the hummingbirds, the gorgeous blueness of our California skies.

I see the day for what it is - an opportunity to live the best life I can right now. And I embrace that opportunity with gratitude and joy.

Even in this very tumultuous time, when I understandably must fight bouts of depression, doubt, anger, disappointment, and frustration, I can tap into my practice. I know that these feelings are like warm lava in my belly, short-fast breathing, tension in my head. I can recognize these sensations in my body, pause, take deep breaths (in for 4-pause for 4-out for 8), and make myself feel better. This doesn't mean the issues and problems of the world are solved. But it does mean I'm in a calmer, more peaceful place to respond to the world around me.

​Whether you are just starting out with meditation or have been doing it for awhile, continue your practice! It can only bring greater peace to your life, no matter how much time you can dedicate to it.
You are making an investment in YOU. No one else can do that for you.

Calm is the leading app for meditation and sleep.

With 7- and 21- day programs, daily meditations for children and adults, music, and sleep stories, use the app to find 5 minutes or more of quiet solitude and peaceful introspection.

Cost? Sign up for free for limited features. To unlock all features, the membership plan is $69.99/yr. You can even gift the Gift of Calm to someone who can benefit from it! Ready to stick to it for life? Get the Lifetime membership for $399.99.

Learn how it's made a difference in my own life below. At the end of this article, find tips for other apps you can look into!
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Music and Meditations

​ Music for all times of the day​
Music isn't for everyone, but it is 100% for me. I've been singing, dancing, and listening to music since the womb. I love using Calm's instrumental music as background noise while I work, shower, meditate, stretch, and more. Check out this 30-minute Relax piece on YouTube.

​ Meditations for what ails ya'
​What I appreciate most about Calm is the thoughtfulness and intentionality in the narrator, Tamara, and her messages.The writing really speaks to you and is relatable, no matter what you're going through in life. For just a taste, check out this Mindfulness Meditation on Santosha (11:16) on YouTube.

Are there other apps out there to consider?
Of course there are!

​One of them is InsightTimer. This I use when I'm not using Calm.

.InsightTimer has 60,000 FREE guided meditations and music tracks. Unlike Calm where you purchase a subscription, InsightTimer has a "donation" model where you can donate to individual meditation teachers.

InsightTimer sponsors live events with renowned teachers like Jack Kornfield. Listen to guided meditations as short as 5 minutes and as long as an hour from familiar voices like the Dalai Lama, Elizabeth Gilbert and Tara Brach.

Are you a gifted meditation teacher?
InsightTimer is looking for you! "Make a difference. Add an income." Become a teacher!

Read More

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Mental Health First Aid Training (nationwide)

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Mental Health First Aid Training (nationwide)

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Skip to main menu Skip to content

To find a course or Instructor near you, enter your location below.

4 Reasons to Become a

Mental Health First Aider

Be Prepared
When a mental health crisis happens, know what to do

You Can Help
People with mental illnesses often suffer alone

Mental illnesses
are common
1 in 5 adults in any given year

You Care
Be there for a friend, family member, or colleague

What You Learn

Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.

Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders.

A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis.

Where to turn for help - professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Course Format

Activities

You learn by getting involved with the material and relating what you learn to real-life applications. Discussion topics, exercises, and other activities keep you engaged in the course and give you an opportunity to practice helping skills.

Environment

One or two certified instructors lead each course and follow a national curriculum and teaching standards, while emphasizing hope for recovery. Classes usually consist of 30 people or less are offered in a respectful, comfortable environment.

Adult Course

The adult Mental Health First Aid course is appropriate for anyone age 18 and older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem. The adult course is available in both English and Spanish.

Youth Course

The youth Mental Health First Aid course is primarily intended for adults to learn how to help young people experiencing mental health challenges or crises. It reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18 and emphasizes the importance of early intervention.

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Why should you take a Mental Health First Aid course? Find out more here.