Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | May 4, 2016 | Mental Health Advocacy
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! Thanks to each and every one of you for your love and support over the years in helping us promote mental health awareness, and empower people on their road to recovery. This year, as we prepare to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ASHA International, I am filled with gratitude that my colleagues and I have had the privilege of reaching out and touching the lives of more than 45,000 people nationally and internationally with a resounding message of hope and recovery. Together, we are tearing down the insidious walls of shame and stigma, and empowering people on their road to recovery and wellness, one day, one person at a time. I invite you to partner with us in our continued outreach. Together, we can change lives, perhaps even save lives. There are 3 things you can do to Be the Hope: Support a loved one Share your story Give the gift of hope Thank you for your valuable support. Wishing you wellness, Wishing you wellness, Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Founder & President, ASHA International...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | May 3, 2016 | Helping a loved one struggling with mental health issues
When I first started struggling with anxiety, panic attacks and depression at eighteen, my family and I had no understanding of mental health issues. Unfortunately, neither did the doctors, many of whom told my parents that I was just being a “drama queen,” a “typical teenager.” “Tough love” was prescribed and doled out each day, which only alienated me from my parents and turned them into strangers I feared. Eventually, I began feeling like a pariah in my own home and began to crumble without their love, understanding, and support. Over the years, our home which was once a fortress of love became a prison from which I couldn’t escape. It wasn’t until I had survived through seven years of hell and tried to kill myself, that my parents finally took me to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with depression for the first time, and began to treat me. It took two more years of failed suicide attempts and hospitalizations before my family and I finally began to educate ourselves about mental health issues. A caring intern at the hospital told my family that it wasn’t enough for me to educate myself about depression, it was critical that they educate themselves about mental health issues if they wanted to support me in my road to recovery and wellness. Fortunately, my parents did, and have since grown into the greatest support system in my life. Over the years, they have also reached out to others struggling in the community. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders...
Tags: by Phillis Benson | Apr 12, 2016 |
Each morning, after I meditate and brush my teeth, I drink a glass of water and offer gratitude for its many health benefits to energize, nourish and sustain my body and mind. Water helps boost energy levels, regulates weight, lowers stress, builds muscle and tones, nourishes our skin, reduces kidney stones and helps us stay regular. I invite you to explore the 7 Wonders of Water and hydrate for better health. You Can Recover – Robyn’s Message of Hope Since the first time I met Robyn at the Aleternatives Conference in 2015, I have been in awe of her sense of adventure and huge heart. Although she just turned 50, she has lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, propogating the power of peer support around the world. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she has never let other people’s perceptions of what she can and cannot do deter her from living the life of her dreams. When asked what has helped her recover and thrive, she said, “the love and support of her global network of family and friends, her dog, and meaningful work.” Robyn is the embodiment of the quote: “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” Thank you Robyn for bringing hope and healing to people struggling with mental health issues around the world. You are a HOPEBRINGER! Wishing you wellness, Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Founder & President, ASHA International...
Tags: by Phillis Benson | Mar 11, 2016 |
The yogis say “if you can control your breathe, you can control your life.” Our breathe is a barometer of our physical and emotional health. According to a Wall Street Journal article by Sumathi Reddy, “breathing and controlling your breath is one of the easiest ways to improve mental and physical health, doctors and psychologists say. Slow, deep and consistent breathing has been shown to have benefits in treating conditions ranging from migraines and irritable bowel syndrome to anxiety disorders and pain.” “If you train yourself to breathe a little bit slower it can have long-term health benefits,” says Murali Doraiswamy, a professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. “Deep breathing activates a relaxation response,” he says, “potentially decreasing inflammation, improving heart health, boosting your immune system and maybe even improving longevity,” Over the last 27 years, the daily practice of pranayama – deep breathing techniques, have greatly enhanced my physical and mental health. To learn about pranayama and try four different breathing techniques, please click here… And, watch the video above to learn the 4-7-8 breathing technique pioneered by Harvard-trained Dr. Andrew Weil, which is described as a ‘natural tranquilizer for the nervous system’ helping to quickly reduce tension and allowing the body to relax. Go ahead, give these breathing techniques a try, and share them with your family and friends. And, enjoy the healing power of breath. Wishing you wellness, Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Founder & President, ASHA International...
Tags: by Phillis Benson | Jan 14, 2016 |
Each year, I reaffirm my resolve to nurture my health – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Ironically, it wasn’t until I was debilitated by depression that I realized the critical importance of emotional health. Like most people, I went to the doctor when I was in physical pain. But not when I was in emotional pain. I recently saw a TED talk by Guy Winch, who makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene – take care of our emotions, our minds, with the same diligence we take care of our bodies. I invite you to watch the TED talk and start practicing emotional hygiene. Need help? Click here to learn 7 ways to practice emotional hygiene. Wishing you wellness, Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Founder & President, ASHA International ...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Aug 14, 2015 |
As a person who struggles with mental health issues and a mental health advocate, I have learned over the years that alone we struggle; together we thrive. Yet, the stigma surrounding mental health issues deters most of us from seeking help. Instead, we isolate ourselves from the very people that can help us, and soon become imprisoned by shame and secrecy. It takes courage to overcome our fears and ask for help from our family, friends, and community. And, when we do, more often than not, we discover the love and support we need to recover and rebuild a healthy, meaningful, productive life. If you are someone living with a mental health issue, or a family member or care provider, please ask for help. It is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness. A few years ago, a concerned husband called to ask for help with his wife who was struggling with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. I am honored to share their story of struggle and strength with you all today. The Goud Story The post Alone we struggle; Together we thrive. appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri Ramprasad. Wishing you wellness, Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Founder & President, ASHA International ...
