Elle Halo’s Post

“It’s important to note that self-esteem is not how others view you, BUT the opinions of others may influence how you view yourself…IF you let it☝️” Hey, that’s me! I got to kickstart the year presenting on the topic of Self-Esteem for an amazing community-based organization. As a mental health workshop facilitator, I play the role of crafting a creative presentation on a life skill. These are skills that are not usually emphasized or expanded on within the K-12 curriculum… Though, they are gems that steer us towards positive, personal development. That’s why Psyches of Color, Inc. exists. For more on how we support Black & Brown communities with the guiding principles of cultural relevancy, radical healing, & transformative justice, visit: psychesofcolor.org #POC #PsychesofColor #CBO #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization #youthdevelopment #mentalhealth #bipoc #bipocmentalhealth #selfesteem #opportunities #youthempowerment #strengthsbased #transformativejustice #Latinx #Black #Brown #culture #iamtheyouth #Compton #LosAngeles

IT,S TIME TO GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY Community services GRATITUDE!! To God, My CEO Mr Satvinder Singh Makhija, Team IIWA, RJ VINY, My parents and family, and Ofcourse my soulmate Manish One more bucket wish fulfilled, dream come true. Any one feeling stress, anxiety or psychological problem please contact me. #community engagement #giving back to society# stress management# students stress#councellor#help#board exam stress#rjviny

This celebration is very much important to me as human life matters a lot and the rate at which individuals especially the youth are taking their lives away is alarming. One might ask reasons for such , from my personal experience and perspective I strongly believe it was as a result ; 1. Low Self Esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. They often feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. 2. Lack of sense of purpose that is the reason for which a person's sense of resolve or determination is high knowing he or she has a quest to deliver. As stated earlier this is article was highly inspired by personal experiences. Hence the resolutions below where those which worked out for me when I implemented them ; 1. Knowing my God and that I was birth for greatness 2. Breed in me was a more sense of belongings where I volunteered to impact community 3. Got into mentorship programs 4. Read a lot 5. And above all challenged myself to always grow my soft skills , just to mention but a few. I am very enthusiastic that together we can end suicidal tendencies #Worldsucidepreventionday #youandI #letsgetinvolved #livesmatter

I talk a lot about institutional racism and violence in relation to mental health, especially Black mental health, because nothing impacts our mental health to this day like the legacy of the institution of chattel slavery. Slavery is an economic institution (protected by law and policies) designed to dehumanize and exploit Black people for profit, and its effects are deeply entrenched in our current social and economic systems. While Juneteenth is a significant moment of freedom and celebration, it also prompts reflection on the lasting impact of chattel slavery on Black mental health and the health inequities prevalent in our nation. The desire of enslaved Black individuals to escape bondage was pathologized as a mental illness called 'Drapotmania,' with brutal "cures" such as whippings and toe amputations to prevent escape attempts. Similarly, the diagnosis of "protest psychosis" was used to discredit the struggle for freedom and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Juneteenth reminds us of the resilience and strength of Black communities in the face of such dehumanizing ideologies. The quest for liberation comes with psychological liberation from the oppressive narratives and ideologies that have historically undermined the agency and dignity of our communities. Juneteenth serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of Black communities in the face of such dehumanizing ideologies and systemic injustices. While commemorating Juneteenth and celebrating freedom, we must confront the reality that racism remains a public health crisis in our country. The enduring effects of institutional racism, along with disparities in access to healthcare, the unequal distribution of social determinants of health, and the use of the carceral system to "address" poverty and poor mental health perpetuate disenfranchisement and continue to exacerbate health inequities. As we commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate freedom, let us recommit ourselves to dismantling oppressive systems, advocating for mental health equity, and working towards a future where every individual, regardless of race or background, can receive access to culturally responsive care, thrive, and experience true liberation. Learn More About Black Mental Health Village Black Mental Health Village www.bmhv.org Call to Action - SIGN THE BLACK HEALTH MATTERS PLEDGE I recognize that racial health disparities are caused by longstanding systemic barriers and injustice, not the individual behaviors or choices of Black people. I understand that by centering the needs of Black people, who are the most underserved people in our healthcare system, we can design a system that works better for everyone. I also recognize that my vote has the power to shape the future of health equity and transform health outcomes for all. https://lnkd.in/eHK9ZGNb Where it asks, “How did you learn about Black Health Matters TN”, put “BMHV or Black Mental Health Village“

I heard something the other day that has shifted my world on its axis. “Relationship before partnership” It’s simple, but the more I spend time with this idea, the more it shifts my “why”, my “how” and even who “I” am in this work. As I’ve shared previously, I’ve recently been stepping away from “partnerships” where there is a relationship of fundamental disrespect. My spirit is getting stronger and my thinking clearer. “Relationship before partnership” was something Marni Tuala (of First Nations Co) said in our first meeting. I have been in contexts before with Leilani Darwin and Ming Low, so I knew First Nations Co had incredibly solid ground. I grew up in a highly transactional, white context - you can’t get much more colonial than the Primary School I went to - they literally didn’t teach kids how to swim because the ones destined for greatness already had learned that in their private swimming lessons; I was kicked out of ballet for being too unco-ordinated (aged 6); they auditioned us for the school choir (aged 9); I sat my first scholarship test in grade 2. I come from a background where relationship and partnership are both rare, dominance is more comfortable. They compete amongst themselves - what Bri Lee describes as “kyriarchy” (Eg do you know just how hierarchical the public service is?? They all know their own level and how that relates to other levels/humans and how they need to comply to go up levels… let’s just say it’s not grounded in a passionate commitment to social justice). Benevolence is how such folks relate to those with less privilege, looking down from a position of smug power and better-than-ness. So when my madness finally erupted - or rather my internal, buried pain emerged, after growing up with a criminally abusive caregiver - it came as a rude shock just how bad the foundations of the mental health system are. Why aren’t the very clever people doing a very clever job?!? I was now on the other side - being smugly “included” rather than in relationship as fully human, with complex and deep interconnections. The colonial mental health system merely replicates colonial relationship patterns. And so it was deeply refreshing to be reminded relationship comes first. For me that includes my relationship with this land, and with the peoples who were here before my family came here. I’m 7th generation, which means many many generations of being out of relationship with land and with those who know this land in their bones, those this land knows intimately. I am being reminded ever more that it is nonsensical to imagine a future mental health system not grounded in THIS land, which necessarily means First Nations’ leadership, including thought leadership. What it means to be in good health makes no sense when we are fundamentally disconnected from land, ancestry and the wider cosmos. Thanks Marni Tuala, and Sam Bṛhaspati Stott (who has been gently inviting me back into relationship)

Personal post – the theme of this post – be kind. I have been pondering how best to put this across for a while   Will apply a general trigger warning to this post   June is pride month and there are people that wonder why we have pride at all and am going to share a personal example of why pride is important to me and how people can help.   Over the last 6 months I have been (like many in the community) the receiver of abuse and not just any abuse some quite nasty abuse and slurs. These have come from people that know me for a long time (or in fact most of my life), they have taken the opportunity to say some quite disgusting things about me as well as making me out as a laughing stock by telling their mates jokes and saying some pretty horrible stuff. What I have noticed is this has become a lot rifer since I have had surgery. The trans community faces enough discrimination and issues in day-to-day life adding abusive mental behavior targeted towards you just makes things worse.   It’s great to see that people have nothing better to do than to basically spread misinformation, jokes, lies and the rest, though this tells me that the person doing this has to have a problem themselves – my reply to that is just be kind and get on with your own life and let the rest of us get on with our own life in peace.   There’s an old saying that goes around that is true – be kind as you have no idea what battles people are fighting or going on behind closed doors   Some people might say just ignore it and I do ignore it, there are times that it can get overwhelming and it’s in times like this the simple ask is to just be kind.  Treat others how you would like to be treated   How can you help? Challenge situation like this if you find someone who is trying to make fun or who is being abusive to anyone within the LBGT+ community, we are people at the end of the day and we want to live our life’s in peace   Love and peace #lbgt+ #prideawareness #transawareness #transpride #pride

I have been thinking about how so many of us from minoritized groups engage in taking care of people from dominant groups who have power over us. This shows up in many ways such as Feeling constant gratitude,, reassuring them that they are awesome, telling others that they are awesome, and telling the rest of us that we should be grateful. It is a trauma response and a way to make sure we are safe. Being told how good they are feels good to individuals from dominant groups. However, I don’t think they recognize that this is a trauma response/ a safety response. I used to think that we just needed to stop. Easier said than done, right!!! Stopping can feel threatening and increase anxiety. And it puts yet another burden on the individual from a minoritized group. But perhaps Allies can step in. Allies often get credit for showing up or being "one of the good guys." This is a really low bar though. ALLYSHIP needs to be ACTIVE. While showing up is important, I think it’s more important to be aware of when this caretaking is happening. Allies can stop in and name the dynamic and collaborate to identify strategies which can interrupt the caretaking/trauma response and increase psychological safety for members of minoritized groups. #Allyship #ActiveAllyship #equity #diversityandinclusion

GIFTED SHAME: judging, rejecting and hiding our gifted traits Shame is a helpful survival strategy to keep us from expressing parts of our selves in situations when it would be dangerous to do so. Gifted shame allows us to effectively suppress our gifted traits when doing so keeps us safe. But shame is a survival pattern to be healed and updated as we learn to create social safety for our authentic gifted selves. 🔸HOW GIFTED SHAME SHOWS UP -feeling ashamed for our gifted traits -feeling like we don’t deserve to be loved for our gifted selves -feeling like we don’t deserve to have gifted-specific needs and/or that we don’t deserve to have them met and respected -sacrificing our gifted authenticity, needs and expression to meet others’ needs instead -self-depricating humor about our gifted traits and needs -denying giftedness or pretending like it doesn’t matter -being ashamed to share our authentic gifted thoughts and feelings -trying to stay small or invisible in order to not be seen and heard 🔸WHY WE FEEL GIFTED SHAME -to protect ourselves from bullying (first from external voices, then from the internalized bully voice) -to avoid rejection when we don’t believe we’ll be accepted for who we are  -to avoid being punished for having special needs -to erase our gifted needs, when we feel our physical or emotional survival is dependent on not having them  -to avoid seeming arrogant and alienating ourselves  -to avoid standing out from the crowd and attracting unwanted attention -to hide complex thoughts and feelings that others can’t or don’t understand, or don’t want to understand -to prevent ourselves from triggering other people’s anger or rage against our gifted expression 🔸WAYS TO HEAL GIFTED SHAME -becoming curious about and respectful toward our giftedness -finding support and friendships with people who like us for who we are, giftedness included -attuning to our gifted needs and being willing to use our resources to get those needs met -setting boundaries with people who do not respect our authenticity and genuine gifted needs -realizing that we deserve to feel a sense of healthy pride, belonging and joy about who we are -attending to the memories of gifted shame that are held in our bodies  -committing to see ourselves as whole and worthy of a good gifted life 🔸SUPPORT FOR HEALING GIFTED SHAME -Healing gifted shame happens within your relationship with yourself through validation, presence, self-compassion and loving-kindness.  -Healing also happens in your relationship to others and to the world, learning the skills of healthy vulnerability, healthy boundaries and creating healing and inspiring connections.  -Therapy, coaching, community and psycho-education are very helpful along on the healing journey. 🔸 HEALING RESOURCES LIST & MORE IMAGES IN COMMENTS 👇 _____ #giftedness #shame #healing #healingjourney #giftedness

A conventional belief is that #gifted people feel superior to others. Some do, but many don't. In reality, gifted people are often plagued with shame about being different from others and not finding adequate resonance and attunement in their relationships. Even those who feel superior to others are often resorting to manufactured 'one-up dynamics' to compensate for more organic deeply-held 'one-down' feelings. Just like for anyone, #shame is a healthy survival strategy, especially in our youth, in situations where we are not safe to express and develop as our authentic self. Translated to a gifted person's life, that means using shame to protect and hide gifted traits. If this pattern starts early, it can compound over the years, and lead to an adult life driven by dynamics of judging, rejecting and hiding our gifts. If you are gifted or parent, teach, counsel or otherwise care for and love gifted people in your life, this is a very important gifted dynamic to look out for and help heal ❤️

Every sunrise is a reminder that we're gifted with another opportunity to infuse our days with meaning and purpose. Let's wake up each morning with gratitude in our hearts, ready to embrace the challenges, chase our dreams, and make a positive impact. Life isn't just about existing; it's about living intentionally, with passion and direction. Here's to seizing each moment and crafting a life that resonates with purpose. 💫 Happy Monday! #PurposefulLiving #SeizeTheDay #jordanpeerrecovery #peerrecovery #recovery #peerrecoveryspecialist #peerrecoverycredential #peerrecoverytraining #peersupport #socialwork #counseling #counselor #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthissues #mentalhealthprofessional #addiction #addictionrecovery