Page 25 - District 20-K1 Kings & Queens Spring Editon E-Newsletter 2022

MENTAL HEALTH REVISITED

ENHANCING EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Reported by Lion Yolande Cadore

Recent reports indicate a spike in violent crimes and youth In conclusion, Lion Dr. Maureen offered some strategies for
suicides. Therefore, on March 7, 2022, Brooklyn Crown Heights thinking rationally:
Lions Club hosted Lion Dr. Maureen Cort - Blackson, District 20-K1 (1) CATCH - CAPTURE NEGATIVETHOUGHTS
Chairperson for Connect Counseling to their Virtual Mental Health
Night, with RC Jennifer Seymour - Wright as facilitator. The theme (2) CHECK– LISTINGEVIDENCE TO SHOW WHATIS NOT TRUE
was “How Can We Enhance Our Emotional and Mental Wellbeing?”.
(3) CHANGE – SUBSTITUTE WITH REALISTICLOGICAL THOUGHTS
There were 45 participants including Lions and non-Lions viewing
from Trinidad and Grenada, West Indies, Florida and Virginia. Submitted by:
Lion Yolande Cadore
Lion Dr. Maureen indicated that mental health challenges District 20-K1, E-News
among children and adults increase the risk for other issues. Reporter
Children may display behavioral problems and adults often do
not comply with their medical treatment. All such patients
need support from a “Plus One” to ensure regular doctor’s
appointments, medication schedules and healthy diets.
Lion Dr. Maureen explained that impact of traumatic life events
that involve groups of people and communities can bring on
negative distress with negative consequences, causing a
disruption in daily routines, work and family life. This circumstance
is called “Collective Trauma.” She further stressed that even a
physically healthy body can become compromised by emotional Lion Dr. Maureen Cort-Blackson
disease.
The session was very informative, productive and prompted
numerous questions from the audience. Sample questions are
noted below.
Question #1: What is the connection between mental health and
emotional health?
Response: A healthy, functioning brain enhances our ability for
critical thinking and boosts the immune system. When our
emotions are stable and we are happy, we are more creative in
our thinking. However, if one is struggling emotionally, the
immune system is weakened and causes unhappiness to the
individual and others in the immediate environment.. Participants
Question #2: How do we improve emotional health?
Response: Getting physically healthy and physically fit. Exercising
helps the brain to function better. Exercise helps the receptors
in the brain and activates serotonin which is a natural mood
stabilizer. Healthy eating is also important as it supplies energy
to the body. Light therapy from the natural sunlight is
also important. Additionally, you should regulate or minimize
the use of phones and/or computers.
As a follow-up to an inquiry, Lion Dr. Maureen volunteered
to provide appropriate counseling to a family member of one of
the participants.
Participants