Dear Peace Parents and Families,
On Sunday, Sandy Mortensen led our education hour and discussed the subject of values and mental health.
Her primary thesis was this:
When life presents challenges, when you experience self-doubt and low self-esteem, or when you’re experiencing mental health issues like anxiety or depression, there are steps we can take to manage them well. First, we can reflect on our values to remind ourselves of what’s most important. Second, we can take value-based actions to recenter ourselves. Third, we can seek support from others who help us hold those values.
Sandy states the positive effect values have on our mental health this way:
“When you connect with what is most important to you—your values—you will more-effectively filter the outside messages that you receive.
When you make choices to act on what is most important to you, you will be moving in positive ways as you respond to outside stressors in your life.
When you are intentional about acting in ways that are consistent with your values, you build self-confidence, trust, and strength to face life’s challenges.
Values are your internal roadmap. They are your guide when making decisions and they provide motivation to move you through the harder tasks and times in life.
Acting in ways that are consistent with your values is protective of your mental health.”
Our final session will be this Sunday, October 1. It will be led by Marguerite Orhtman, who will lead a conversation on social media and mental health.
Grace and Peace,
Joe