I never thought I'd be the one to stand before a crowd and speak. Strike that. I revel in a crowd.In all honesty, I like to hear myself speak. But I never thought I'd be the one to stand and speak in verse. Not carefully curated pros, but rather a story in lyrics.My own hand did compose. And as I stand and as I speak, forcing rhymes, knees so weak, I have this nagging sense you'll all soon be booing. For I fear I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing.I hadn't a clue what I was doing when I sat before a shr ...

Mental Health Crisis & Systemic Issues - The World Health Organization estimates over 1 billion (1 in 7) people globally live with a mental health condition [3] - Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-29 worldwide, and the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-24 [3] - Mental health systems are often characterized by lengthy assessments, waiting lists, and processes that delay access to care [1][2][9] - Current processes of screening, assessment, and labeling can lead to extended wait times, particularly for individuals with complex needs or those in rural areas [9] Single Session Therapy (SST) as a Solution - Single session therapy (SST) is presented as a potential solution to address waiting lists and improve access to mental health support [13] - SST harnesses the motivation present when individuals first seek help, focusing on strengths, agency, and hope [14][15] - Research indicates that SST can lead to faster improvement and higher levels of hope compared to traditional therapy models [18] - A review of 415 trials of single session therapy and single session interventions highlighted significant positive outcomes in 83% of cases [18] Call to Action - The industry advocates for a shift towards a more accessible mental health system, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and timely support [20][21] - The industry encourages individuals to advocate for changes in mental health systems, demanding a more responsive and accessible "front door" [20][21]

There I was, laying on the floor of a drug den, confused, and there's a knock at the door. Normally, I'd panic. But I know who it is.I open the door and without judgment or a shred of disappointment in walks my grandmother. She potters around cleaning where she can and making sure that there's food in the cupboards that she so caringly bought me. She reminds me not to forget to come and see her sometime this week.I love you, Daniel. And the door shuts behind. Now, it's not that she doesn't care about how I' ...

When you hear the word addict, what comes to mind. Did you think of someone with a needle in their arm. Maybe a bottle in their hand.Maybe you thought of a loved one you once tried to help. Did anybody think of me. My name is Aisha and I am an addict.I stand corrected. I am a recovered addict. You see, research says that addictions like mine are just as detrimental as any other addiction.Yet, it hides in plain sight. The irony of my story is that I just so happen to be an addictions counselor. You see, I ha ...

Good morning everyone. My name is Kevin Vasan and it's a true honor to deliver this speech to you today. So lately I had a thought about how such crucial problems are just hidden in plain sight. One problem to be specific, addiction. Now there are addictions that vary from thing to thing. Let's start off with something pretty simple and relatable to all of us. Have you ever told yourself just five more minutes? Five more minutes scrolling, watching, refreshing until suddenly an hour passes by. Yeah, me too. ...

About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government ...

Mental Health Statistics & Impact - The Harvard School of Public Health indicates that 9% of the US population will experience an eating disorder during their lifetime [2] - Eating disorders are identified as the deadliest mental illness, resulting in 10,200 deaths annually, equating to approximately one death every 52 minutes [2] Recovery Process & Challenges - Eating disorder recovery is distinct from simply eating, involving a process where the influence of the eating disorder diminishes as a healthier mindset strengthens [4] - Recovery can evoke feelings of loss, as the eating disorder may have served as a coping mechanism, providing a sense of safety and identity [5] - Hesitation towards recovery is common and often rooted in fear, requiring individuals to confront these fears directly [6] - The recovery process can be uncomfortable and may initially feel worse before improvements are observed [7] - The quietness of recovery can lead to boredom and emptiness, as individuals adjust to life without the highs, lows, and rituals associated with the disorder [8][9] Quasi Recovery & True Recovery - Quasi recovery is characterized by ambivalence, where individuals may outwardly comply with treatment while inwardly desiring to return to the disorder [11] - Lasting recovery is driven by internal motivation and a desire to live again, rather than external pressures or approval [13] - True recovery involves breaking free from the eating disorder and building a life based on personal desires, not the demands of the illness [14] Honesty & Acceptance - Recovery often begins with honesty and acknowledging the difficulty in letting go of the disorder [15] - Admitting the current state, rather than forcing the desire for recovery, can be a crucial initial step towards healing [16] - Recovery is acknowledged as uncomfortable but ultimately survivable [16]

Overcoming Adversity & Achieving Goals - The narrative highlights an individual's journey of recovery and subsequent admission to IIM Kolkata despite physical limitations [1] - The individual successfully navigated accessibility challenges on campus, advocating for improvements [2] - Despite facing job loss after graduation, the individual demonstrated resilience by upskilling and securing a new position, eventually leading the mobility division of a firm [2][3] Challenging Perceptions & Embracing Change - The story emphasizes that disability is a perceived limitation rather than an actual inability [3] - The speaker's personal transformation involved embracing imperfection and focusing on connection rather than seeking perfection in communication [4][5][7] - The speech encourages the audience to identify and challenge their own limiting beliefs or "illusions" [6][8][9] Embracing Discomfort & Growth - The act of holding hands in an unfamiliar way illustrates that discomfort can lead to change and growth [9][10][11] - The core message is about moving forward and dismantling illusions to realize one's full potential [7][8][9]

Core Argument - The presentation addresses preverbal trauma, specifically childhood abandonment, and its lasting impact on individuals [2][4][5] - It emphasizes that trauma experienced before language development is stored in the body and manifests in various emotional and physiological responses [5] - Healing preverbal trauma requires listening to the body's signals and addressing the underlying emotional wounds [5] Psychological and Emotional Effects - The presentation highlights fear of rejection, unworthiness, low self-esteem, insecurity, self-doubt, guilt, and shame as common consequences of childhood abandonment [6][7] - Shame, unlike guilt, is described as a deeply damaging emotion that can be overcome through exposure and self-acceptance [7][8] Biological and Neurological Aspects - The presentation discusses the impact of broken mother-baby bonds on the autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and stress responses [9] - Polyvagal Theory is introduced, explaining how the nervous system responds to perceived safety or threat through three states: ventral vagal (safety), sympathetic (fight/flight), and dorsal vagal (shutdown) [9][10][11] - Co-regulation, the process of finding balance through connection with others' nervous systems, is crucial for self-regulation and is disrupted by early separation from the mother [14][15] Recovery and Healing - The speaker shares their personal experience of using drugs to self-regulate and their subsequent journey to recovery, highlighting the discovery of abandonment as a core issue [16][17] - Witnessing the bond between mothers and infants in a recovery setting provided validation and insight into the speaker's own preverbal trauma [18][19] - Healing involves rewriting the story, creating safe spaces for connection, and acknowledging the body's memory of trauma, even when it cannot be consciously recalled [20][21]

Human Interest Story - Two individuals, Zach and Isabelle, were admitted to Region's Hospital following separate accidents [1] - The mothers of Zach and Isabelle connected through Facebook and facilitated a meeting between their children [3] - Zach proposed to Isabelle at the hospital where they were initially treated [3] - The story highlights a journey from sorrow to joy [4]