21/05/2025
It's European Mental Health Week (19-25 May)
This years theme: 'Care for Mental Health, Invest in Social Rights'
*clears throat and adjusts "woke" button on lapel*
It is amazing how drastically mental health improves for people when they feel loved and accepted. But, remember, you are not entitled to continue to receive unconditional love and acceptance if you are 'acting a fool' and bringing harm to others - intentionally or not.
If you have caused harm, intentionally or not, you have a responsibility to:
TL:DR - Take Accountability, Apologize, Seek Information, Do Better
- TAKE OWNERSHIP of your mistakes without making excuses -
note... your side of the story is important for understanding yourself better and personal growth ... but it does not condone your garbage actions, so clean up your own garbage and throw it in the bin already.
- APOLOGIZE without seeking forgiveness -
note... you are not entitled to forgiveness or for the person you harmed to grant you an audience to hear your apology. The Grief Recovery Method can help with this.
- SEEK OUT INFORMATION, support, or help to do and be better -
note... the person you harmed is not responsible for your education. Find a different source ... maybe post an "AITA - Am I the A-hole" on Reddit.
- MOVE FORWARD with better choices and actions -
note... "Curiosity before Judgement" is a beautiful mantra that I picked up from my experience. It is difficult, and I still struggle with it, but we are all human and we make mistakes. You won't fear making mistakes if you value these steps and authentically strive to be a kinder person.
