Challenging Our Negative Self-Talk

Human head with thumbs up and thumbs down symbol on gray wall background

In this post, we want to share an empowering strategy taught in WISE’s Honest, Open, Proud program. For more information about HOP, click here. It is called the 5 step strategy for challenging our hurtful self-talk. Hurtful self-talk is a form of internalized stigma or shame, which occurs when we come to believe the negative, […]

How to Talk to Someone in Need of Help

A middle aged woman comforting a sad woman.

One of the biggest concerns that many who wish to help others face is the difficulty of bringing up and discussing various challenges. Mentioning private or sensitive subject matter may make you—or your family member, friend, or peer—feel awkward, shameful, uncomfortable, or vulnerable. Too often, fear of experiencing these feelings stops us from communicating and, […]

Mindfulness and Mental Health

Close-up of a man meditating.

At WISE, we talk a lot about the importance of self-care, or the providing of care by you and for you, and its importance in improving your compassion resilience, or CR, and maintaining your overall well-being. Click here to read WISE’s previous post about self-care. One common form of self-care that is practiced cross-culturally is […]

Suicide: The Ripple Effect as a Prime Example of Stigma Resistance

Man standing at the edge of a cliff.

In previous posts, we discussed stigma change processes and the use of TLC4 as a planning model for framing stigma change efforts. In both of those posts, we explored the effectiveness of contact-based strategies for decreasing stigma and offering realistic hope to those facing similar challenges. The success of contact-based strategies exemplifies that stories are […]

The Benefit of Emotions in the Workplace

Colleagues working together in a busy office.

As a young adult whose professional experiences have been limited, it never occurred to me to think about the extent that my own emotions are present in the workplace and how they do or don’t affect my work. This goes to show just how much our emotions are permitted in these areas — a.k.a. little […]

The TLC4 Model

Many hands together showing unity.

In December, we discussed several stigma change processes, including protest, education, and contact. Of these, contact with those with lived mental health experience is the most effective. Hearing about the mental health challenges and the recovery efforts of others is the best way to decrease stigma and offer realistic hope to those facing similar challenges. […]

Stigma Change Processes

Concept about people diversity and tolerance on a multicolor background.

Back in July, we discussed what stigma is and where it comes from. Click here to read that article again. While this information is useful, the most important thing to know about stigma is that, in a perfect world, it wouldn’t exist. In this post, we’re going to discuss how we can reverse and eliminate […]

The Safe Person Decal

A decal titled 'The Safe Person 7 Promises' displaying the text 'I seek to listen & support', accented by overlaying green circles in the background.

Explore the 7 Promises of the Safe Person Decal, created with WISE in order to provide more spaces for those in need of an open ear and support.