Whether you are personally struggling with mental health or someone close to you is, it can be daunting and overwhelming to know how and where you can ask for help. Although it is becoming more normalized, the topic of mental health can still be considered taboo which inherently creates barriers for people seeking guidance. Even the stress of being back in person for classes can take a toll on your well-being. With busy schedules filled with midterms, papers, work, and personal life, we often forget to check in with ourselves to make sure we are doing okay. While searching for resources for myself, I have found that simply following Instagram accounts and listening to podcasts that focus on and destigmatize mental health has improved my day-to-day life - here are some that you can’t live without:
Podcasts:
The Positive Psychology Podcast
The Positive Psychology Podcast hosted by Kristen Truempy aims to discuss the science of happiness and educate listeners on how to live a happier life. Kristen Truempy is a mindful optimist and has engaged in substantial research revolving around happiness. While this information is beneficial to those who read it, not everyone has the time or desire to sit down and read through hundreds of pages of scientific information. Recognizing this, Kristen created the Positive Psychology Podcast so anyone can have convenient access to the information thatpositive psychologists study. One of the episodes titled “The Power of Ritual with Casper Ter Kuile” discusses how rituals can help to improve our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is through this practice that people will have the ability to live a more joyful life.
The Happiness Lab Podcast
“The Happiness Lab” podcast created by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos will change the way you think about what it means to be happy. She has dedicated her career to understanding human cognition and cognitive biases that contribute to decisions people make on a daily basis. At Yale, Dr. Santos teaches a course titled “Psychology and the Good Life” which teaches students what the science of psychology says about how to make wiser choices and live a life that’s happier and more fulfilling. Her podcast aims to do the same. In Episode 6: Don’t Think of a White Bear, we learn why our brains don’t allow us to suppress a thought and why doing so can cause more harm than good. Additionally, this podcast contains stories from people who have confronted and overcome disruptive thoughts and bad memories giving insight into the realm of possibilities for obtaining happiness.
Instagram/blog accounts:
Blog and Instagram account Girls’ Night In was created by Alisha Ramos when she needed a place to turn to for mental health and wellness after experiencing burnout - a feeling I am sure all of us have experienced at one point or another. Burnout can be an isolating experience so finding a community of people who uplift and inspire one another can lead to significant positive changes. The Girls’ Night In blog discusses topics such as mental health while also publishing interviews from various incredibly inspirational people. The Instagram account shares pictures and reels that contain content intended to stress the importance of self-care and taking a break when need be.
Minaa B. LMSW is a therapist and wellness coach who founded Minaa B. Consulting when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak. With the goal of providing resources to help manage work stress, burnout, and societal crisis, licensed mental health professionals empower you with the most appropriate mental health tools and resources to cultivate a productive, solution-focused, and compassionate space for everyone. Through workshops and lectures, you are able to access tips and tools that address how to improve your mental health and overall well-being. The Minaa B. Instagram account successfully creates aesthetically pleasing posts that will instantly make a positive impact on your life. For example, one of the posts shared discusses “Things To Forgive Yourself For” and emphasizes the importance of understanding that we all make mistakes. Filled with inspirational, constructive advice, Minaa B. is a must for anyone looking to positively change their lives.
All of these resources strive to build a community that focuses on uplifting one another while sharing information that can improve one’s overall life. This goal is parallel to that of The Women’s Network. TWN is passionate about bettering the lives of others by sharing resources and creating a tight-knit community. Specifically, as TWN aims to help women achieve success, these resources work hand in hand to achieve this goal. By using these resources, members will be able to apply their knowledge while uplifting others within the community andthey canoverall be better equipped to gain success.
