September has arrived and with it the campaigns to prevent and raise awareness of suicide.
The rising suicide rates in recent decades and in these years of pandemic warn of the importance of talking about the subject. It's a sad reality, but one that needs to be looked at and cared for with due attention. There is still a lot of taboo about the subject, but putting it on the agenda in society is fundamental to preventing the loss of other lives.
The main factors leading to suicide are depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and schizophrenia. There are many cases related to drug and alcohol abuse. And these disorders do not choose age, gender or social class.
And how can you be alert to these signs?
More than Yellow September campaigns, we believe that self-care and caring for others is necessary throughout the year.
And talking about this issue responsibly and being responsible in our actions is a collective duty.
For those of us who work with a focus on well-being, mental health and quality of life, we seek to act with commitment and have the necessary preparation to work with Mindfulness with companies and individuals, through courses, experiences, retreats and lectures.
On this subject specifically, through the practices of meditation, we see the results in the lives of people who find it hard to concentrate, difficult to remember details or make decisions, or who face stressful situations which can be symptoms that result in the different subtypes of depression, anxiety and stress. Through Mindfulness we learn to regulate challenging emotions and create mental space, even in difficult circumstances, making more conscious and functional choices, positively influencing the way we deal with everyday challenges. The benefits are countless!
Mindfulness is a preventive tool that contributes to our physical and emotional health, which is precisely why it is growing worldwide and gaining ground within companies. In any case, in situations of depression or other disorders as mentioned above, we always recommend the support of a professional (psychiatrists and psychologists) to receive the correct diagnosis and effective treatment, with Mindfulness being a complementary aid.
Mental disorders are very serious issues and we should never judge or invalidate another person's suffering. Acting with empathy, offering to listen, being close and offering help is a good way forward. We don't want to fall prey to the toxic positivity discourse so much talked about nowadays, because we don't believe in that path either and that's why we don't reproduce it. We believe in transformation through awareness in the present moment.
If you feel you need help, don't hesitate to ask and count on our support. And for those of you who want to help other people or even your work team, we have several ways and alternatives for this, because we believe that more than introducing Mindfulness into people's lives, the most important thing is to keep it in the routine. In addition to the lectures, there is a Practice Club, a space where you can practice daily and live with the help of instructors trained by Flow of Life & MTi (Mindfulness Training International). and in the company of other meditators who, like you, are looking for quality of life and want to make the practice more and more a part of their routine. It's 30 minutes a day that you can practice according to your availability.
Let's together promote the (re)education of full awareness, balance and mental health with responsibility.
