In a very-well subscribed FPD webinar last month, mental wellness specialist Neo Moselane shared his knowledge of how to develop strategies to build mental wellness and resilience. This article covers some of the main points he made, both during the presentation and via the question time afterwards. Please check out our Videos page for a link to the full webinar.
Gaining a better understanding of our thoughts, emotions and behaviours – our mental health – helps to give people hope that they can do something about their situation. Neo recommended that – in the same way that people invest in financial products to build up their wealth, in their bodies for physical health, in their skills for their career – they need to invest in their mental well-being.
He reminded people that we are born into a reality that we don’t choose. “Don’t blame yourself for something you can’t control. When you blame yourself for something, you fall into a victim mindset. See yourself as a participant, then you can build on the reality that you want,” he said. Control is a very important concept when it comes to mental health. We can control ourselves, but we can’t control others, or negative experiences that might happen to us. We need to focus on what we can control.
“Resilience is your ability to manoeuvre through difficult situations and endure until you overcome. It is also your ability to bounce back from the hard knocks of life. In simple terms, resilience is the ability to not give up and the courage to push forward regardless of your circumstances,” says Neo. “You develop your resilience through training and practice. Every level in your life requires a new level of resilience. Therefore, you need to develop your mental resilience on daily basis.”
It is crucial to have a support system that focuses on helping us develop our mental well-being. Everybody needs somebody. It’s also important to have a plan.
When it comes to trauma, Neo advises:
- Talk about your trauma. Expressing how you feel about a negative memory or event can help you heal.
- Get professional help. The process of healing takes time and effort.
- Avoid or stay away from any environments or people who glorify your trauma.
- Make new memories and focus more on positive memories and thoughts.
- Don’t build your life around your traumas but heal from them and move on. This process is not easy. You need to be intentional and it takes a lot of work.
- Writing things down can help. Ask yourself these questions: how did I get here? How can I fix this? How can I move forward?
For any services or training, contact
Neo Abraham Moselane: kennymoselane@gmail.com