Affirming Allies
@emmaseppala. “From 15 yrs studying the science of happiness, this is my conclusion: We are happiest when we give to others, when we care, share and have compassion. When we live our life for a greater purpose, and when care for others is balanced with self-care.”
Twitter, 23 May 2022. 1:32 p.m., https://twitter.com/emmaseppala/status/1528790921889947648
We are at our best when we are making meaningful connections with others. Take the experience of these connections away, and studies show that not only are we less happy, but we are less healthy in nearly every way.
Since we’re already serving others in our daily work, we want to be very thoughtful about the types and quality of relationships that we seek and maintain. Instead, we often need healthy, close relationships, professional communities, and access to health experts, when needed.
Allies
Some friends are for a season, and some friends are for life. More important than time in a friendship is the quality of that friendship. When we’re run down, tired, burned out and wanting to be heard, to share a laugh, to do something meaningful together, we need healthy people in our lives.
Here’s a great article from Maggie Wool with BetterUp, titled We are the Champions Plus Other Qualities Every Good Friend Should Have that contains some great signs of both good friends and bad friends. (HINT: You deserve the good ones!)
Associations
In addition to good friends, it helps to be connected to larger groups committed to a common cause and/or united by some shared experience. This could be a spiritual community, and it could also be an early learning professional community.
Depending on It could be a support group for any number of needs – DivorceCare, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, GriefShare, Al-Anon/Alateen, National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse – to name a few.
NAMI Georgia has a searchable resource list filled with Georgia groups!
Psychology Today has a searchable database for a variety of support groups in Georgia.
Asking for Help
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, there are people who can help you. Please call or text 988 or click this button to go to 988lifeline.org where you can find more information and even chat with someone 24 hours a day.
It is quite common to be unsure or hesitant about reaching out for professional help. We’ve got you covered with some resources that can help!
How do I know if/when it’s time to ask for help?
- Deciding When to Seek Treatment by Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- Seeking Help for Your Mental Health is Brave. And Beneficial by Erin Eatough, Ph.D. for Better Up
How do I find help?
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Find Help Georgia
- Better Help
- 7 Cups of Tea
- Open Path Collective (A non-profit focused on providing affordable access to mental health care)
What do I ask?
- 10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Therapist by Harvard Medical
- Questions to Ask a New Therapist by Choose Mental Health
Leap Early Learning Partner RECHARGE content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.