This year Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 2-8) has arrived at a time in which many Americans find themselves in crises.
According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in the U.S. rise during recessions and fall during economic booms. Recognizing emotional depression and reacting appropriately can save lives.
Meanwhile, suicide rates among military personnel and veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq are alarmingly high. Many are being attributed to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Recognizing PTSD and getting the individual help could save his or her life.
So the time seems right for Germanna Community College to offer Mental Health First Aid, a 12-hour course over two Saturdays—Oct. 22 and 29—designed to train people to assist those developing a mental health problem or crisis. Successful completion prepares those who take the course to respond to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, panic attacks and addiction relapse, among other problems.
Learning objectives include:
• A working knowledge of the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems.
• How to deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, psychiatric disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders and self-injury such as cutting.
• A five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, implement interventions and help the person in crisis connect with appropriate professional care.
• A working knowledge of the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and recover.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive Mental Health First Aid USA certification. Registration deadline is Oct. 13.
The course runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 at the Red Cross facility at 4836 Southpoint Parkway near the Cracker Barrel in Massaponax. It costs $169. To register, please contact GCC’s Center for Workforce & Community Education at 540/891-3012.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
AT A TIME WHEN SUICIDE RISK IS HIGH, GCC OFFERS 12-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE THAT CAN SAVE LIVES
Lessons from the Links - The Most Important Part of Failure
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| Image: MS Office Imagebank |
While I am good enough to keep up with most golfers, you certainly don't have to worry about me beating you.
The thing is, I know what one of my major problems is... but it's been difficult to fix.
I address the ball with all the finesse of a pro.
I have a nice, smooth back swing.
I connect solidly with the ball. (Don't you just love the sound?)
Then the damn thing goes madly off in all directions.
I know that it usually is sometimes difficult to get advice... especially on a golf course, but one day a brave soul watched my swing and told me he thought he saw what my problem was.
"You are not following through."
It turns out he was right. If I summoned every bit of concentration I had to focus on remembering to continue the arc of the club, the ball went off in the intended direction more often than not.
But the problem for me was that without focussing on it, I quickly reverted back to my old style of play.
Which leads me to the topic of today's post.
While leadership blogs tend to focus on positive things, every leader needs to understand what to do when things aren't going well, when mistakes are made, and how to recover from them.
Which is why I've seemed to spend quite a bit of time lately on failure.
In my post Your team messed up. Now What?, I highlighted how important it is for you as leader to quickly move to take responsibility, make corrective changes, and then publicly own up to the problems - even to the point of offering an apology.
As important as it is, the apology is just the beginning, and all the recovery momentum you created in your initial reactions can be quickly lost if you go back to business as usual.
Like my golf game, your follow through is critical to the direction you go.
You have said you are sorry and that things will change.
So what's different?
Do the people impacted by your mistakes see the difference?
How are you connecting with them on a regular basis? How are you getting feedback?
Without follow up, your personal credibility and trust in your IT department can evaporate quickly.
Without the trust, it's next to impossible for you and your team to be viewed as a valuable contributor to your organization. It's a frustrating place to be.
Almost as frustrating as my golf game when I forget to follow through.
Bollywood Actress Kangana Ranaut has English Boyfriend
24 Years Old Bollywood Actress Kangana Ranaut is in love again but this time something extraordinary. Yes her boyfriend is an English scientist-doctor.
She has finally found someone who fits her idea of the perfect man.
As per Latest Kangana Ranaut Interviews at one of the famous TV Chat Shows which is hosted by Simi Garewal, she said that, “I’m in a relationship and this guy is a very nice guy.”
“I’ve known him for a year and a half ... he is a doctor and a scientist. I met him in India, through a friend. We travelled together. We lived together. But his job is so demanding you know. He lives in a lab for days and days ... Worse than me.”
“Significant things like the genetics of cancer.”
“He is a very good musician. He plays the guitar. Every time he’s played for me, it has been amazing … magical.”
“Yeah, it’s a long distance relationship but then it’s not something which is going to lead to marriage so soon, you know. I find it much better because I have been in relationships with men who can completely suffocate you... I want my space for sure, and long distance works big time!”
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Kellie Pickler on 90210: First Look!
American Idol will soon meet 90210.
Kellie Pickler, a former finalist on the Fox singing competition, will guest star on the October 18 episode of this CW drama as Sally, the country-singing cousin of Austin, a new character played by Justin Deeley. Get your first look at Pickler on the program here, as she shakes hands with AnnaLynne McCord's Naomi:
"Everyone was so welcoming," Pickler told People of the shoot. "I enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone and I'd love to do it again, but at the end of the day, I want to be on the radio."
As viewers will find out later this season, Austin has other famous relatives, as well: Billy Ray Cyrus will soon show up as the character's dad.
Kellie Pickler, a former finalist on the Fox singing competition, will guest star on the October 18 episode of this CW drama as Sally, the country-singing cousin of Austin, a new character played by Justin Deeley. Get your first look at Pickler on the program here, as she shakes hands with AnnaLynne McCord's Naomi:
As viewers will find out later this season, Austin has other famous relatives, as well: Billy Ray Cyrus will soon show up as the character's dad.
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