Talk abounds around how we are going to get the economy going again now that the threat of Covid is abating and the majority of Canadians have received at least one vaccine dose. And while we talk about the long term impact of Covid in economic or physical health terms, the pandemic and our reentry into society is and will continue to have deep running implications on our mental health. At Rogue380 we empower our employees to take mental health breaks when needed. We understand that to do great work we must be able to take the time for our minds. But despite initiatives from large companies like Bell Canada with their Let’s talk program, there is still a lot of stigma around talking about and treating mental health issues.
From psychedelics to journaling to supporting those who speak out about their own issues, this edition of Going Rogue looks to celebrate brands and companies that are finding ways to change how we talk about and treat mental health. Please note: this post is not an endorsement of any of the brands or therapies discussed below. If anything, we just want more people to feel that they can talk about their own mental health.
In the spirit of sharing and talking, feel free to leave a comment about how you have coped with the last year and a half. Personally I have found it a very tough year and a half. Isolating both personally and professionally. I like to travel and go out and meet people, so for both those to be taken away from me, even if temporarily, has been a struggle I didn’t see coming.
So honestly, how are you doing?
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Calm, the popular meditation app, made headlines when it sponsored the 2020 election race on CNN. They knew that with emotions running high, discussing the election, even just with loved ones, could be extremely difficult. And that those following the race closely might need an outlet and for some meditation could be that outlet.
More recently, Calm has continued to be present in the conversation around mental health. When Noami Osaka was fined for not attending French Open press conferences, Calm decided to pay her fines and those of any other player who decided that talking to the press would do more harm than good for their mental state.
While some might say that press conferences are par for the course for professional athletes, we at Rogue380 support Naomi’s decision.
For those of you in Toronto, LA or Chicago, there is Field Trip Health. They offer psychedelic assisted therapy to help with mental health issues. Their doctors and healthcare professionals are not only world class but their beautifully designed spaces are far from what you might imagine to be a typical psychotherapist’s office. As the name suggests they walk you through the whole healing “trip”.
For more on the subject of how important psychedelics will be and is for therapy for mental health issues I recommend Michael Pollan’s How to Change your Mind.
Speaking of psychedelics, another Toronto company, Schedule35, offers several micro-dosing options. Personally I have close friends cycling on and off their 250mg option.
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We often talk about mental health. The idea of health in this phrase is key. Even for those who might not be currently experiencing any issues, as Covid has shown, we are all at risk. And so just like any form of health, it can be beneficial to work on it.
Sanctus, based in the UK, offers mental health solutions for companies to offer their employees, but through their free community and mental health gym they offer ways for anyone to avoid the isolation that we can feel when dealing with mental health issues. They also offer daily prompts for journaling, an activity that has shown to have positive benefits for mental health.
https://sanctus.community/welcome
Consider following James Routledge, the founder of Sanctus. He shares interesting and helpful content.
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And given that Rogue380 is after all a communication agency, here is a campaign that we feel does an excellent job of continuing the mental health conversation.
This humoristic spot from Time to Change, an initiative to get people talking about mental health, offers a simple piece of advice to help those around you who might have mental health issues. So if you take anything away from this post it is; ask twice. Those around us might not always admit right away that we are going through tough times.
And with that in mind, I re-ask a question from earlier, how are you doing?