Healthy-communities: Ways to help build healthy communities

Doctor Patch Adams defines depression as a symptom of loneliness. His life mission is to encourage construction of  healthy communities that serve to protect and nurture inhabitants from cradle to grave.

There is currently a debate in the mental health arena about the origin of mental illnesses. Statistically, children who are traumatized in early childhood are three times more likely to develop psychosis than children who live in safe, loving situations.  Healthy families, neighborhoods and countries produce vibrant residents. The challenge we have is to develop population structures that undergird and support us spiritually, intellectually, and physically. So what are some practical ways to bring this about? Consider the following:

* Make every effort to address issues of addiction. Alcohol and drug abuse are twins to physical, mental, and often sexual abuse. Many excellent programs exist to address these issues, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon, Ala-teen and Celebrate Recovery. Addressing addictions is a powerful way to build healthy communities

* I believe spiritual involvement to be helpful in the process of living in and contributing to healthy communities Having a sound sacred commitment serves to lift us up to higher purpose and intent.

*Making a commitment to the well -being of self and others serves to enhance the solid underpinnings of social conscience. Consider becoming a surrogate parent to children who are suffering at home.  Give some thought to helping the elderly.  Volunteer at your church, mosque, or synagogue. Determine to make a positive impact. These types of changes can be mundane as well as sublime. Sometimes a smile, a word of encouragement, or a financial gift can make a difference in the life of someone in need. Random acts of kindness help to build healthy communities.

Vibrant organisms grow in healthy soil. We are the earth in our surroundings. The seeds that we sow produce either weeds or delicious fruits. It’s our choice. Hopefully if enough vitality is planted in society, mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and psychosis may be greatly reduced in future generations. In this manner, healthy communities can be passed down from generation to generation.

In today’s world, technology has expanded awareness of what’s going on all over the planet.  Two hundred years ago, world events came to public view six months after they occurred. .Social media has the  power to unite us in a way that was unfathomable in years past. Why not use facebook, twitter, and linkedin it to construct healthy communities?  Utilize them to spread encouragement, social change, and hope for the future. We are more than our neighborhoods. We are world inhabitants.

If each one of us made the decision to make a positive contribution to building healthy  communities, we would be creating a nurturing environment for generations to come. I think of three key words when I contemplate this:  love, respect, and compassion. Living these principles may create a safer world for all and might go a long way to preventing serious mental illnesses in our children and grandchildren.

Let’s work to create a safe world for all. Let’s work to build healthy communities.

Readers, do you have any ideas on how to accomplish this?

Contributers to this blog inlcude Ann Woodlen and Ann Brockelsby.

If you have any questions about recovering from depression, anxiety, or psychosis, feel free to contact me at AltmanB@sbcglobal.net.

If you are someone you know is suffering from major depression, showing signs of depression, is manic depressive, or is looking for how to deal with depression please subscribe to Barb’s blog. She has advice on such topics as, coping with depression, teen depression, anxiety and depression, depression in children,  and other types of depression disorders. You can visit her website at http://www.depressiontorecovery.com/

Her book “Recovering from Depression, Anxiety, and Psychosis is now available on Amazon here.