Mental Health Wellness

On this episode I was joined by a team of clinical psychologist who shared their knowledge on how we can contribute to the mental health wellbeing of children and adolescents in school not only as Mental health professionals, as stakeholders in schools.This episode emphasizes the role of prevention in addressing mental health challenges/problems.

In this episode we talk about the different unhelpful strategies we use when faced with challenging situations.Yes, these strategies give is immediate gratification however they have negative long lasting emotional/psychological and physical impacts.Just a reminder to take care of yourself in a healthy way.Cheers!

Joined by a wonderful personality expert on healing the inner child.My conversation with her made be understand carl Jung's emphasis of the conscious self. She shared her lived experience of struggling with depression and anxiety and how she walked the journey of healing all into supporting others.In this episode she talks self-care as a mental health support resource, explored emotional abuse, what it looks like and what we can do to take care of ourselves.I hope her experience and insights make your mental health journey worthwhile.Please share your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you!Cheers!

Camillus Sadia gives us an understanding on autism as a behavioral therapist working in Uganda. In this episode he addresses the myths around Autism, how we can support both individuals living with autism and support their caregivers and some of the strategies we could use as caregivers to people living with Autism.Cheers!

In this episode, I recommend a podcast that I believe we may really like and checkout.Joined by Brenda Nalugo once upon a life podcast where we shared a deep conversation about High functioning depression a very deceptive and difficult state to treat. Listen till the end to know why and how you can support both yourself and others.Don't forget to leave a comment, like and subscribe!Cheers!

Join me as I talk about the difference between stress and depression

In this episode I explain self harm looking at when, why and how.

This episode is an intro into all the episodes I will be sharing with you this year.

Trauma an emotional response after exposure to frightening events can have a lasting impact on the well-being of children. In this episode I explore how we can support children. Cheers!

Although ambiguous loss and anticipatory loss have both been referred to as limbo grief, they are actually different. In this episode I share why and how to deal with ambiguous loss.

This episode is about understanding loss where we don't have a resolution, where we are uncertain about the physical and psychological status of our loved ones. We are tormented with questions such as "should i really grieve?", associated with feelings of confusion, guilt, despair and blame

It's not time that that heals all wounds but what you do with the time that produces healing. I share my understanding of healing and what you can do to on your healing journey and for someone out there who is questioning themselves whether they will ever heal. i hope you are kind with yourself, and I hope this help "the reason why it's called a journey is a involves stones, bumps, trees, flowers, constant turns and stops" Cheers!

Most times we may not even know that we are experiencing trauma. When we experience any trauma vents such child abuse or neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, natural disasters. Any other stressful situation and it isn't addressed it becomes unresolved trauma. which could show up in different ways in our behaviors, relationships and general functioning. If you feel there is anyone who could benefit from this audio feel free to share. Cheers!

Apart from the fight and flight response we have the freeze and fawn response also known as the please response. These two are responses are common among individuals adapting to abusive environments not forgetting these are our responses to stress. However, we shouldn't forget that as much as we can do self-care it's important to note that these responses can be overwhelming especially because of what we have experienced so please do not be afraid to seek professional help from a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist or any other mental health professional in your area

We just celebrated the worlds mental health day. The goal is taking care of our mental health should be a routine. In this episode I talk about what we call stress responses our innate reaction both perceived and real threatening and dangerous situations. I talk about the different stress responses and the signs of the fight-flight response as examples of the stress response.

Ever heard of terms such as mommy and daddy issues in this episode I explain what they really mean and talk about symptoms of trauma in adulthood as a result of our negative parent-child attachments or relationships. And not forgetting the goal of the podcast is to prioritize mental health. Don't forget to take care of yourself and your loved ones. cheers!

Grief is a natural response to loss. And because we all grieve differently and experience grief differently the process of grieving is subjective hence the misconceptions. This episode highlights what grief is and some of the common misconceptions around grief. I would really love to hear from you and share more on this topic, so please don't forget to leave a comment and share your experience, whatever you are comfrotable with.

One of the common challenges shared on the socials with some expressing their concerns, confusions and sharing their experiences on the subject. Today I share with you five facts about NPD addressing the misunderstandings and core symptoms of NPD.

Today, being the world mental health day, "mental health is a universal human right." Advocating for mental health and raising awareness I share some of the early warning signs of mental health problems. These are not specific to any mental illness but as general signs that should be attended to. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martha-apendi/message

Cognitive defusion is a technique used in acceptance and commitment therapy that involves noticing our thoughts rather than becoming caught up in them. It helps us create space between our thoughts and feelings and ourselves so that they can not influence us. The techniques include mindfully watching, just noticing, repeating thoughts, among others. Remember, the aim is not to avoid our thoughts but to create room for them. Imagine what happens when you try to chase away a bee buzzing around you. It stings you, but you let it buzz around peacefully, notice it is just doing its movements

They are principles or standards of behaviour that motivate us to behave in certain ways. Values inform our decision-making, and they influence our relationships and our overall well-being. Without we are probably lost. These are links you can access to understand your values with steps and directions https://motivationalinterviewing.org/value-card-sort-online-game

It is never easy dealing with feelings of loss. We can also experience feelings of denial, frustration, guilt, anger when we believe we might experience loss or when we know that there is change that might happen just by knowing you've been diagnosed with cancer or any terminal illness or when you know that you're being moved to a different country, workplace or you're beginning a new journey in your life. "Grieving what we believe we might lose" --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martha-apendi/message

Did you know that it isn't rare for an individual struggling with addiction have experienced trauma? Traumatic experience can have adverse effects on our well-being and the behaviour that will engage in or use as coping mechanisms to deal with the pain can in the long run be the problem. But how is that possible?, all the answers in this episode. Cheers! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martha-apendi/message

How can you tell the difference between self esteem and narcissism? Are there times when you have though you were asked yourself whether you were portraying narcissistic tendencies?https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/episodes/Could-it-be-being-self-confident-or-self-absorbed-e1faq4a here is the link to the episode on narcissism so that you can get more information. Cheers! Happy new week! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/martha-apendi/message

For many of us settings goals means staying away from some people. We always talk about setting boundaries but we never talk about how challenging it can be, to do something where we have to prioritize our feelings instead of the people we value, how we always try to manipulate the situations so that everything is always good, peaceful. But what we should ask ourselves is for how long can we really put up being people pleasers?, for how long are we going to keep others happy at the expense of our feelings?. I hope this episode speaks to you. Happy new year 3023 sorry 2023 I am already in the future

We all experience negative thoughts from time to time, for some they are able to deal with them, however for the rest it becomes difficult and affects our daily lives. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

OCD which is known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is common among females though also experienced by males. With 1.1% to 1.8% of the global population struggling with it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

It's a psychological treatment developed to help us confront our fears. Exposure therapy is done in a safe environment with the support of a trained professional (therapist/psychologist) exposing you to stimuli that caused you fear. In this episode is what you could experience in an exposure therapy session. Cheers! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Learned Optimism(L.O) which is the opposite of learned helplessness concepts in positive psychology developed by clinical psychologist Martin Seligman with L.O being able to recognize and challenge our negative self talks believing that we can change our attitudes and behaviors. L.O is practiced by using the ABDBE method borrowed from cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive therapy. And this is an approach that I use in solving my problems. "I apologise about the noise in the background there's some construction being done in my neighborhood." I hope you enjoy this episode. Cheers! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

The first fact isThere's is an Umbrella of depression/depressive disorders which include major depressive disorder, pre menstrual dysphoric disorder among others. And the other fact is that depression is not only associated with feeling of sadness. Hope this is insightful, and please don't forget to subscribe and like from wherever you are listening in. Cheers! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

When any kind of injuries damage the brain we experience a traumatic brain injury which can affect our social, physical, emotional, occupational and cognitive life and these symptoms can either be mild, moderate and severe depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. And since we can't talk about that mind alone and leave out the body these two are interconnected. When our mind is affected so is our body and vicevesa. Hope it's insightful to you, enjoy, Gracias! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Being raised by a narcissistic parent can have negative lasting effects till adulthood which affects our sense of self and/identity. And since they are often neglectful, abusive and emotionally unavailable we might develop a low self-esteem , feelings of insecurity, shame, difficulty setting boundaries and many other effects since the only way we feel validated is through giving in to our parents with narcissistic personality disorder's needs. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Do you have a narcissistic parent? Leaving my episode that talk about narcissism as a personality disorder , today I talk about the identifiers of a narcissistic parent, although not every parents have narcissistic tendencies it is not uncommon for a mother and father to express narcissistic tendencies and these parents tend to deny their children independence even as an adult, they would be controlling, self absorbed, blaming, unaware of their children's needs and the effects of their behaviors on their children, intolerant of others views which may go as far as demanding certain behaviors from their children. Hope it's insightful, enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

It's a deep relaxation exercise and or technique targeting one muscle group at a time which involves noticing the difference between the tensed and relaxed muscles, either beginning with the lower to the upper body or from the upper to the lower body. It should be done in a quiet place free from distractions. It's one of the very many relaxation exercises that is said to be able to help reduce anxiety symptoms. It can be difficult doing the first time however with continuous practice it reaps a lot of benefits. Enjoy! Adios.. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Phobias which involve fear or anxiety and easily defined as uncontrollable, excessive and persistent fears of certain objects, situations and activities. Just like we easily use the word "traumatized" so do we phobias what exactly makes it a phobia,? is it any fear of anything.? As it is said that our environment and genetics can be risk factors to the development of specific phobias. Do you have a phobia or could it be a normal fear that you call a phobia? What better way to find out than to listen to this episode. Adios! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

By talking about it, it's a first step for me to dealing with this fear. Phobias are persistent and excessive fear of objects, situations and activities. Fear of the dark being one of the common types of phobia though it's common among children, it can affect adults, young adults as well. Fear of the dark is common however if it disturbs your daily life like difficulty sleeping, going to certain work engagements because of the fear of leaving the house in the dark, then it becomes a problem and can be treated with therapy, however they are ways to dealing with it. Always here to help each other. Adios! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

A behavior that is rewarded is repeated whereas a behavior that is punished is avoided the theory behing learned helplessness was developed by psychologists Martin S and Steven F in dogs where every after a tone the were subjected to shock, when we struggled with Learned helplessness we get frustrated, feel overwhelmed,lack esteem, we feel we lack control and that there is nothing we can do to change our circumstances. However this can be dealt with.. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Not only is dissociative Amnesia a symptom of Dissociative identity disorder but also a type of dissociative disorder. And the other type of dissociative disorder is Depersonalization/derealization disorder where an individual is detached from their emotions, thoughts and senses and their surroundings as well as all these caused by a history of trauma. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

A sociopath and psychopath are often shown in the movies as violent however what are their characteristics and how can you tell the difference, whereas a they both a psychopath and sociopath lack remorse the latter will feel about guilty and empathy however that will not make them stop whatever it is they are doing while the former will lack all remorse, guilt and empathy. And they both will have a disregard for any lawful acts. I hope this will help you understand so that you don't fall a victim of labelling. Adios! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Joined with two experts @Kamara Nathan(comfort minds speaks) a mental health practitioner and @Moses Ssemakula a clinical psychologist sharing their thoughts on the statistics released by the Ministry Of Health where "14 million Ugandans have a mental disorder." You might be out there struggling though help is inadequate, it is available so do not stay silent let's fight stigma around mental health because treatment and support is available. Enjoy Adios! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Childhood trauma doesn't only affect the child but it can also affect the parent and we present with panic, guilty/self blame, anger, helplessness because we don't know what to say and what to do to help our child through the process, but today, I have you understand what you must do to help your child cope with childhood trauma, Although childhood trauma can have long lasting effects on a child, having a supportive and caring adult can help a child cope with it and I am here to inform you that there is hope . So enjoy --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Any life threatening event that affects a child's daily life that is physically, psychologically an socially can lead to childhood trauma. And young children respond differently than older children for example where an infant will be clingy young child will be distant and isolate. And all these symptoms if a child isn't attended to they might affect them till adulthood. Hope you enjoy this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Even when caretakers work hard to keep children safe dangerous events happen and these can be unexpected and can affect the child without our conscious awareness, any event that is painful to a child, can lead to long term emotional and physical effects is a child hood trauma and indeed these experiences like bullying, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, war, violence at home, substance abuse can be detrimental to a child's development, leading to sleep disturbances, Anger/anger outbursts, affects the child's relationships even to adulthood. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Talking about mindfulness meditation, we also need to learn how to do it, getting a comfortable position, timing yourself. Practicing mindfulness doesn't only have to be about you seating in one position it can also be as easy as being grateful of certain things in your life. Enjoy this mindfulness journey! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

By the way when I talk about extremely hot I mean scorching hot, we are thankful to the universe that we don't have burns. And I did rain from 4pm to 6am EAR time

Mental health problems affect our daily living, most of the time one is worried because a loved one sees a difference in how they think, feel and behave so how do you know what exactly it is, here the different warning ⚠️ signs of a mental health problem like fatigue, changes in appetite and sleep, hallucinations and delusions among others incase you notice more than one if the following signs when it comes to your loved one it's important to seek out professional help for proper diagnosis. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Thoughts are opinion and ideas we have of ourselves and the world around us, and we need to learn how to deal with these thoughts so that they don't overwhelm our days because being aware of our thoughts helps us change them and we can still do this on our own by ourselves. By identifying our thoughts, replacing our negative with positive thoughts, being kind to ourselves and learning how to accept or receive criticism which by the way can help us get feedback about ourselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

Narcissism is more than just being self absorbed and self confident, it's being excessively self involved without any concern for other's needs, feelings and emotions, it involves feelings of grandiose those the person is vulnerable maybe as a result of childhood neglect or Marginalized expectations on them. It is rare for the individual to know the effect of their behavior on others. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

People seek therapy for various reasons and these vary from person to person from dealing with major life events to managing emotions to living with mental illnesses, however therapy is voluntary and during the process you can never be forced to say or do what you don't want to. How long therapy takes depends on your goals and how you show improvement. We always never know when to seek therapy but in situations where your actions might be affecting the people around you, when you have been diagnosed with a mental illnesses these are some of the reasons as to when you might have to seek therapy. Hope this is worthwhile! Enjoy

A collaborative relationship that involves problem solving, it is goal oriented and at times might involve medication depending on the field of the professional you're meeting. Therapy sometimes also know as talk therapy, psychotherapy and counseling is a safe place, to open up with out judgements and the first encounter might be uncomfortable. And this feeling is normal. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message

It's associated by overwhelming traumatic events that occured during childhood, a rare mental health condition which is known as Dissociative identity disorder where an individual presents with two or more personalities or alters. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/martha-apendi/message