Disrupt the Bay August 7, 2020

Health care professionals are often taught to be reactive in treating their patients, rather than proactive. In terms of mental health, it is important to think about prevention, to help minimize the potential dangers that come along with mental health disorders. Rahul N. Mehra, M.D. of National Center for Performance Health shared his perspective of mental health awareness at the Disrupt the Bay’s virtual event on August 7th.

Dr. Mehra is passionate about the impact education and conversations can have on the improvement of mental health treatments. Raising the topic of mental health in schools and work is important, although it may seem difficult. To those who may be wondering how to start a conversation about mental health, simply asking the phrase, “are you feeling stressed or anxious?” can start an open and honest discussion, free of judgement. Social media has also become a place of stress for a lot of people, so Dr. Mehra also suggests to chill out, and turn social media off. We should have no more exposure than 15 minutes of social media or the news each day, to help eliminate stress, especially in times during a pandemic. While it is important to be educated, we also need to be mindful of our sources and its impact on our mental health. When parents stress out about the media, it can trickle down on their children, causing them to be stressed as well. It is important to approach situations with positive thoughts, and think in a problem-solving mindset.

There are new medications and treatments being brought into our community, which have allowed an easier access to care. Technology advancements have helped telemedicine gain traction, and has been used by more patients, especially during the pandemic. But, Dr. Mehra believes that we should address the lack of mental health awareness in our community, particularly education about suicide to help as many people as possible who may be suffering with mental health disorders in our community. Dr. Mehra works closely with the Children’s Home Network, and finds other opportunities in the community to help out when it is needed, such as work with the Pasco County Sheriff office by training senior leadership on mental health topics.

In times of E-Learning, it is important for parents to understand the impact of social isolation, especially for their children. Social connection should be a priority, while following the CDC guidelines and social distancing— video calls, parking lots, or social distancing outdoors can be a great way to continue social interaction while staying healthy at the same time.

Mental health impacts everyone, and it is important to bring awareness to our Tampa community. Give a family member or friend a phone call who you have not talked to in a while, check-in, and re-connect. We are all in this together, and it is important to never forget that.

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National Center for Performance Health is a unique  organization designed with one goal in mind – to help you become your best you. We use advanced medical research and technology to achieve proven results.

If you’ve ever thought about taking your game to the next level – we can help. Contact us at info@nationalcph.com or (866)684-2007 to learn more.

Bringing Happiness from Home to the Workplace

While more than 50 percent of employed Americans are working from home it may becoming
obvious to you that your work life and personal life are becoming more connected. This has important implications for your happiness at work because it is important. No longer can you think of your “work life” and “personal life” as being two different things. Those boundaries are disappearing, and it is important for you to recognize that your happiness at home and at work both need to be acknowledged.

So, what can we learn from COVID-19 and happiness?  Perhaps maybe it is time to learn and reflect on activities throughout our daily schedule that gives us the most and least happiness.

What makes you happy? Is it going to the beach? Talking with family and friends? Sleeping in on Saturday morning?  Happiness is different things to different people. We still experience difficult times but there are ways to raise your spirits to find happiness each day. Some ways to increase your happiness includes:

Socializing

Yes, you can still socialize. Neighbors are sitting in lawn chairs six feet apart and having conversations, happy hours, and informal dinner parties. Zoom has become a household name offering us ways to connect with family, friends, virtual parties, workplace interviews and meetings. Research suggests that the act of hanging out with people in real time, with Zoom or FaceTime can be a powerful way to connect with people. Seeing other’s facial expressions and hearing their feelings allows you to really connect with them..

Just remember, social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Connecting with others is always important. Just because we are six feet apart from each other does not mean we are unable to emotionally connect.

You can still go fishing with your buddies, but it may not be on a boat. You may have to share your time fishing off a seawall but the emotional connection and the ability to socialize with your friends will increase your happiness.

Volunteering or Helping Others

Many happy people tend to be focused on other people’s happiness rather than their own. Research suggests if you do nice things for people like sharing a meal, offering to work a shift, or even donating time and volunteering in community activities tends to boost a person’s wellbeing.

The idea of focusing on other’s happiness may feel a little counterintuitive because people in general have the notion of self-care and taking care of oneself but doing random acts of kindness in times when someone is really struggling can be powerful. It lends a positive effect on society by “paying it forward”.

Practicing Mindfulness

Happy people tend to live in the moment. They take in their surroundings and pay attention to what is happening around them. They are not busy making a video of a sunset or their dog doing a trick. They live in the moment to experience the joy or laughter of the event. Research has shown that while videoing an event will allow you to view that event again, the videoing microscopes the event and takes away the emotions or feelings related to that event. You can video a sunset but are you taking in the surroundings at the time? Are you breathing in the salt air? Do you see couples walking together on the beach? Are you mindful of how you are feeling?

Meditation can also help you find happiness during COVID-19 because it causes you to focus on what is happening to your mind and body now.

Turning to our individual lives it is a time to reflect on our own experiences and monitor our own answers to what gives us the most and least enjoyment. In doing this, we may draw surprising lessons about what matters most for our own happiness and that of those around us.

 


 

National Center for Performance Health is a unique organization designed with one goal in mind – to help you become your best you. We use advanced medical research and technology to achieve proven results.

If you’ve ever thought about taking your game to the next level – we can help. Contact us at info@nationalcph.com or 866.684.2007  to learn more.

Revolutionizing Mental Health: Introducing Emotional Vaccines® for a Proactive Well-being Approach

You might be asking yourself, what are Emotional Vaccines®?

The world is currently grappling with a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Overdose deaths, suicides, and childhood traumas are on the rise, magnified by a shortage of mental health providers. While much attention has been directed towards understanding and addressing these issues, there is an urgent need to shift from the reactive treatment model to a more sustainable, preventative approach. Enter Emotional Vaccines®, an innovative concept developed by Dr. Mehra, which is revolutionizing how we approach mental health and emotional well-being.

The Crisis at Hand

In recent years, the world has witnessed a distressing surge in overdose deaths, suicides, and childhood traumas as well as everyday life challenges. These alarming statistics have shed light on the profound impact of mental health issues on individuals, families, and communities at large. The existing treatment model, though well-established, is struggling to keep up with the escalating demand for mental health services. This has spurred the search for a more proactive, cost-effective strategy to alleviate the immense burden caused by this crisis.

The Vision of Emotional Vaccines®

Emotional Vaccines®, conceived by Rahul N. Mehra M.D., a distinguished child and adult psychiatrist with over three decades of experience, offer a ray of hope in the face of this crisis. Dr. Mehra’s innovative approach stems from his vast personal and professional insights, distilled into bite-sized educational tips that empower individuals to offset the long-term negative effects of life’s challenges.

At its core, Emotional Vaccines® consist of 2-to-3-minute videos featuring evidence-based content designed by physicians. These succinct videos are easy to digest, making them accessible to a wide audience. The content is strategically crafted to help individuals build psychological resilience, effectively minimizing the harmful impacts of daily stressors. By utilizing these videos, individuals can reduce stress, anxiety, and worries, while enhancing their overall sense of happiness. Moreover, this process fosters improved focus, productivity, and acts as a protective measure against the risk of substance abuse.

A Holistic Approach

Emotional Vaccines® extend beyond individual well-being. Dr. Mehra recognizes the pivotal role that families, schools, youth care professionals, and community organizations play in shaping the mental health landscape. As such, his initiative offers targeted content aimed at helping adults optimize the academic, social, physical, and emotional development of children, thereby strengthening their resilience.

Implementation and Impact

The strategic deployment of Emotional Vaccines® is crucial in effecting widespread change. These videos are embedded within families, school districts, community centers, universities, religious institutions, and workplaces, serving as the first line of defense. By introducing these videos into everyday settings, awareness is raised, and social support networks are nurtured. The videos also serve as conversation catalysts, enabling peer-to-peer discussions that normalize conversations about difficult topics. This shift in dialogue is fundamental to reducing stigma, promoting help-seeking behavior, and driving cultural transformation within communities.

Conclusion

In a world besieged by a mental health crisis, the innovative approach presented by Emotional Vaccines® offers a glimmer of hope. Dr. Mehra’s visionary concept challenges the reactive treatment model and introduces a proactive strategy that is not only effective but also accessible to a diverse range of individuals. Through these concise videos, a holistic approach is taken, targeting not only individuals but also families, schools, and community organizations. By normalizing conversations and bolstering psychological immunity, Emotional Vaccines® pave the way for a brighter future—one where mental health is prioritized, stigma is dismantled, and a culture of well-being is nurtured everywhere.

National Center for Performance Health Launches Innovative Emotional Vaccines® Program to Support Resiliency Among First Responders at Pasco Sheriff’s Office

Tampa, FL (March 30, 2021) – As part of a training partnership with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the National Center for Performance Health (NCPH) launches the first-of-its-kind Emotional Vaccines® program supporting the well-being and resiliency of law enforcement professionals.

Job related stress and burnout are topics that concern leaders of public safety organizations throughout the country. Like vaccines for physical conditions, Emotional Vaccines® are a preventive measure for proactive self-care. Emotional Vaccines® use low intensity, professional guidance to improve self-care which leads to a healthier mental state for individuals and their families.

According to the doctor behind the Emotional Vaccines® program, Rahul N. Mehra, M.D., CEO and Chief Physician Executive for NCPH, there’s never been a more critical time to support the emotional well-being of our first responders. “Since the new year, the Tampa Bay area law enforcement community has seen three line of duty deaths. Add to that, the increased stress brought on by the pandemic and other societal challenges and it’s only natural to have first responders that may be in need of support.” Dr. Mehra adds, “By delivering Emotional Vaccines® through a series of brief, physician-developed video messages delivered via email or text, we’re able to provide effortless, proactive rather than reactive support.”

A staunch supporter of mental health and wellness programs for his teams, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco understands the importance of stress management. “We live in turbulent times and our officers are under tremendous pressure on a daily basis. It’s our job as their leaders to not only recognize this challenge, but to provide the best available tools to manage it.” Nocco continues, “In 2019, we launched the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Human Performance, Leadership Development and Resiliency Programs which includes tools from NCPH. We’ve received very positive feedback on the program’s content and we believe it’s making a difference in the lives of our officers and their families.”

About National Center for Performance Health
NCPH is a unique organization with a single goal – to help individuals be the best they can be excelling mentally, physically, personally and professionally. With a professional network of over 10,000 providers, physicians, and psychologists, NCPH’s services are never out of reach. Advanced medical research and proven technology are used to help clients achieve results. www.nationalcph.com

PRESS CONTACT:
Dennis Hartin
National Center for Performance Health
727.359.2148
dennis@nationalcph.com
www.nationalcph.com