Mark Nixon

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So far Mark Nixon has created 12 blog entries.

Supporting Your Queer Teen: Why it is Important and How to Do It

So, your teen has come out to you as trans, bisexual, pansexual, gay or another queer identity and you are wondering how to support them. The good news is you have already completed the first step. You are seeking resources and learning. Some caregivers experience anxiety when their teen comes out to them. Some caregivers may not understand what a “coming out” process is. Some caregivers may experience an internal battle over conflicting morals if they come from a religious background or culture in which LGTBQ+ identities are met with violence or political prosecution. Other times, not knowing how to respond when your teen comes out may be due to not understanding why it is such a “big deal.” "Haven't things gotten better for queer kids”? may be a thought that crosses your mind. Or your teens are closed at school and struggling with self-harm, depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges and you are unsure of how to help, while wanting to respect their privacy and confidentiality.

Supporting Your Queer Teen: Why it is Important and How to Do It2024-10-25T15:35:09-05:00

5 Tips to Help Your Child Self-Regulate

The only thing worse than watching your kiddo wrestle with big feelings is feeling unable to help them in those moments. Emotional regulation is one of the most vital skills developed in early life. It is crucial for helping children manage their feelings and reactions in healthy ways. Down the road, it will shape their relationships, their behaviour, and overall well-being. This is a skill which develops over time and the good news is there are ways for parents and caregivers to support children on this journey toward emotional resilience!

5 Tips to Help Your Child Self-Regulate2024-10-22T15:52:37-05:00

Let Us Talk About Boundaries

Simply put, a boundary is a line meant to keep things separate. In the context of relationships and mental health, boundaries help to distinguish us from others in a way that fosters respectful connection with one another, while protecting our emotional and psychological wellbeing. Our boundaries help us outline what our limits are and demonstrate our self-respect.

Let Us Talk About Boundaries2024-10-10T14:11:29-05:00

The Importance of Embracing Negative Emotions

Dealing with negativity is an inevitable part of the human experience. In fact, our brains are wired to focus more closely on the negatives than the positives. This is referred to as “negativity bias,” and it is thought of as an evolutionary function to help us avoid harmful situations (Norris, 2019). This means we store negative information in our brains more readily than positive information, which can be detrimental if we do not know how to effectively manage our negativity bias.

The Importance of Embracing Negative Emotions2024-10-08T15:03:04-05:00

Groups Provide Meaning During Postpartum

Becoming a parent is a transformative and life changing experience. The joys of having a child are indescribable, the love palpable. This new reality also presents challenges that our pre-baby minds could not have predicted, and we are not always prepared to cope with these changes. Furthermore, the full-time responsibilities of motherhood can leave little time to connect with other moms with whom we can share our thoughts, struggles, and goals (and have adult conversations!). For some, the isolation of becoming a parent can be problematic, others less so. Depending on our temperament and social preferences, needs are unique to the individual. We have all heard people say that the isolation of the pandemic was harder on extroverts than introverts; although this may be partly true, introverts surely felt the effects as well, albeit in separate ways. Early motherhood is similar: the myriads of latest changes necessitate that we learn how to reach out to others for help (not easy!). If we want to avoid burnout and preserve our mental and physical well-being, ongoing maternal care is necessary.

Groups Provide Meaning During Postpartum2024-10-11T14:34:39-05:00

Encouraging Cultural Minorities to Seek Mental Health Support

Mental health affects us all. Regardless of your background, ethnicity, or culture, mental health is just as much a part of you as your physical health is. For many cultural minorities, seeking mental health support remains a challenging and often stigmatized decision. Cultural beliefs, language barriers, and the fear of judgment can discourage people from seeking the help they need. It is important to understand and break these barriers, as nobody should face their struggles alone. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health but are worried about seeking support, you are not alone, and help is available to you.

Encouraging Cultural Minorities to Seek Mental Health Support2024-09-24T13:08:10-05:00

Practicing Self-Compassion

I think we can all relate to being hard on ourselves, feeling frustrated with what we’re doing (or not doing). I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “you are your own worst critic”. Unfortunately, these negative strategies don’t improve our well-being or bring about the changes we hope to see, and oftentimes end up leaving us feeling worse and unmotivated. So how can we stop this cycle of negativity? Great question! This is where self-compassion plays an important role.

Practicing Self-Compassion2024-10-02T15:00:45-05:00

Understanding Cultural Influences on Mental Health

Mental health is a multifaceted matter influenced by various crucial factors. Cultural influences play a significant role in shaping mental health and well-being, often acting as both a source of support and a potential barrier. Culture shapes people’s understanding of mental health by influencing their attitudes toward mental disorders, coping strategies, health-seeking behaviours, and the availability of resources. It dictates how mental health is perceived, expressed, diagnosed, and treated, impacting everything from the stigma associated with mental illness to the therapeutic approaches which are deemed acceptable or effective in a society. As global migration and multiculturalism become more prevalent, understanding these cultural dimensions becomes increasingly important for providing effective and inclusive mental health care.

Understanding Cultural Influences on Mental Health2024-08-27T15:09:22-05:00

Retirement – A Mindset

What does this mean for the big iceberg retirement is. We are so busy concentrating on the 10% financial side, we forget or do not realize that 90 % is below the surface, just like an iceberg. When we think of retirement, we think of financial planning. This is important. What is missing is the emotional and social components of this significant part of our lives. This is the plan or to-do list that runs out after 3 months of your retirement and then you are out of breath.

Retirement – A Mindset2024-07-02T13:39:34-05:00
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