On October 5, World Day of Bullying Prevention, and throughout the month, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch staff and kids are holding awareness and learning activities to help wipe out intentional, repeated, and degrading meanness. “Bullying leaves people feeling small and exposed and so lonely,” said Joy Ryan, President/CEO, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. “I was bullied in school, and unfortunately, I am in the majority. We did a quick survey of the children in our care right now and 88 percent of them report having been bullied. Bullying doesn't build character or compassion and there is no lesson to be learned from experiencing it. Social media has added another avenue for bullying at a whole new level and made it mainstream.” The effects of bullying can be long-lasting for victims including fear and anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide.…
Mental Health Tips
Even as states loosen restrictions, some people continue to play it safe by avoiding non-essential interactions and staying home. Isolation is taking a toll. Cope with loneliness by trying out some of these ideas shared by Dr. Wayne Martinsen, Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and in an article at psychologytoday.com.…
CONNECTING WITH OTHERS is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Sometimes it can be hard to know how to make connections with others. But it's the connections we make with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times. #Tools2Thrive…
DETOXING YOUR LIFE is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel badly about ourselves or engage in unhealthy and destructive behaviors. By identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create boundaries, we can improve our mental and physical health. #Tools2Thrive…
SUPPORTING OTHERS is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Having a strong support system can improve our overall mental health. Being a part of that strong support system for others could make all the difference. #Tools2Thrive…
FINDING THE POSITIVE is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Changing the way we view negative situations, reframing common negative thoughts, and practicing gratitude have been shown to reduce sadness and anxiety. #Tools2Thrive…
CREATING HEALTHY ROUTINES is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Creating routines helps us organize our days and ensure that we are taking care of tasks and ourselves. Routines help us establish patterns in our days that make it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them. #Tools2Thrive…
OWN YOUR FEELINGS is today's #MentalHealthMonth tool. Take time to slow down and identify what you’re experiencing and the feelings behind it. This simple act can help you feel better and improve your communication and relationships with others. #Tools2Thrive…
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency - and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life's challenges or their mental health.…