Written by: Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In today's fast-paced and demanding world, prioritising mental health and well-being cannot be emphasised enough. The welfare of front-line staff, key workers, and the dissemination of comprehensive mental health education are central to enhancing society, improving productivity, and sustaining well-being. This reciprocal synergy deserves heightened attention.
Front-line staff and key workers have consistently been the unsung heroes of our society, especially during the recent global pandemic. However, as the pandemic has faded into the past, they risk diminishing into obscurity once again, undervalued and forgotten. To protect their mental well-being, we must implement strategies like regular mental health check-ins, unfettered access to counselling and support services, and initiatives to alleviate workplace stressors. Not only this, but poor pay contributes to mental health issues. This transformation requires a top-down approach, with leaders taking responsibility and a commitment to eradicating toxic workplace cultures, valuing their employees, and utilising their strengths. Supporting these individuals ensures not only their well-being but also the efficient functioning of essential services, with far-reaching positive consequences throughout society, saving the economy billions.
Mental health education should extend beyond clinical settings to workplaces, communities, schools, and homes. This holistic approach serves several vital purposes. First, it dismantles the stigma around mental health, making it a routine and open topic of discussion. Approximately 1 in 4 people are affected by mental health issues each year so it should not be a taboo topic. This normalisation encourages individuals to seek assistance without fear of judgment or bias, aligning with the UK's legal responsibility of employers to safeguard their employees' mental health. Second, it empowers individuals with the skills to recognise mental distress in themselves and others, enabling early intervention. Third, it fosters a culture of support, as well-informed individuals are more likely to help friends, family, or colleagues in need.
Major Depressive Disorder affects people of all ages, characterised by persistent despondency, hopelessness, and waning interest in once-enjoyed activities. Symptoms can include changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and somatic complaints. Recognising MDD is vital, as it can disrupt work, relationships, and daily life. Prioritising mental health requires integrating mental health into healthcare systems, reducing stigma through public awareness campaigns, and incorporating mental health education into school curricula. This helps detect and address mental health issues early, reduce stigma, and equip individuals with the tools to support themselves and others.
Depression symptoms can vary among different age groups. The top three for adults includes but is not limited to persistent sadness or low mood, fatigue or loss of energy and changes in appetite and weight. In children it is most common to see irritability and mood swings, academic problems and sleep problems.
Additionally, recognising neurodiversity and promoting holistic well-being in schools, workplaces, and communities further contributes to a mentally resilient and flourishing society. Acknowledging neurodiversity within the school environment fosters inclusivity, allowing students with neurodivergent conditions to thrive. Tailoring teaching approaches to accommodate neurodiversity can alleviate academic stress for these students, reducing the risk of mental health issues. It is crucial to involve communities in mental health initiatives, providing access to on-site school counsellors and collaborating with local mental health organisations to ensure students have additional resources and support when needed.
Support for new and single mothers is a crucial aspect of promoting mental well-being and societal resilience. The challenges faced by mothers during the early stages of parenthood, whether they are single or not, can be overwhelming. Adequate support encompasses a range of measures, including accessible healthcare services, affordable childcare options, parental leave policies, and community-based programs. Offering emotional and financial support, as well as a network of resources and guidance, can significantly ease the burdens that new and single mothers may encounter. Ensuring that mothers have the support they need is not just a matter of compassion; it's a recognition of their essential role in nurturing the future generation and contributing to a mentally healthier and more resilient society. Single mothers can be one of the most efficient group of people in society when given the chance.
Protecting frontline workers, instilling mental health education, grasping conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, fostering comprehensive community well-being, and embracing a cohesive strategy that encompasses schools, workplaces, and local entities are indispensable measures in forging a robust and thriving society that truly values and defends the well-being of each person. This collaborative endeavour is the linchpin to a more promising, economically prosperous, and mentally sound future for everyone. It is indeed puzzling that the backbone of our society is often undercompensated, leading to stress, excessive workloads, and burnout. In my view, this situation must undergo a huge overhaul.
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Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Danielle catalyses children and adults to rise like a phoenix from the flames 🔥 and to reach their optimum potential. She is an entrepreneur, inspiring 11+ and 7+ entrance exams tutor, rapid transformational therapist®️, business coach for overachievers, a life coach for all, and an NLP Master practitioner, and she is also certified by the ILM.
One of Danielle’s much-loved abilities is being an overachiever because she thrives on the excitement and follows her passion, which is to help people live fulfilling lives.
Over the last five years of her tuition business, Danielle has become extremely popular and respected in the tuition industry and is a mentor and coach to other tutors to help them increase revenue in their businesses, but ultimately to be the best tutors they can be. Her own tuition service incorporates coaching for parents and children throughout the exam process and NLP classes for children to help them with lack of confidence, bullying, and anxiety and to help them focus on the imminent goal of exams and to visualise and believe in their success.
Danielle’s second business, coaching and therapy, has been a long time coming and her personal interest in people and psychology led her to invest in the most high-quality courses to be the best for her clients. For her rapid transformational therapy ®️, she had the privilege of personally being mentored by Marisa Peer, a world-renowned therapist. Rapid transformational therapy is a combination of NLP, CBT, psychotherapy and hypnosis.
It has been Danielle’s personal experiences that have led her to where she is today. At age four, her father died of suicide, which installed in her a determination to help prevent people from ever becoming despaired again. Her best friend passed away at fifteen, which solidified Danielle’s determination to live life to the full. Growing up with a single parent, they struggled with money, but Danielle was very inspired by her mother’s work ethic, which had a huge impact on her.
As a teacher in some schools, the politics and bullying amongst staff were toxic and she suffered from depression, stress and burnout and was treated badly at her most vulnerable time of being pregnant and having a newborn and that’s why she’s passionate about helping teachers. She wishes that she had someone to help her at the time.
She has been through the journey of setting up successful businesses on her own while undertaking childcare as a single parent of two after she divorced and strongly believes anyone can achieve anything they put their mind to with grit, focus, and passion.
