Addiction often goes hand in hand with mental health issues. When a person has two or more substance use and mental health disorders, this is called “co-occurring disorders” or “dual diagnosis.” The two disorders can begin at the same time, overlap or begin one after the other. 

We had a super successful turnout this year at See It This Way! Thank you so much for all of your support.

Our first night of See It This Way 2023 was a success! We had a wonderful turnout; it was great to see the smiling faces of everyone who came to hang out.

All his life Cory knew he was different, it just took him a little longer to figure out why. As he faces his recent adult ADHD diagnosis, he embarks on a quest to learn how several friends with disabilities continue to cope and how their journeys might impact his own.

Last summer, we hosted three artists with refugee backgrounds and allowed them to showcase their art around Salt Lake City parks. We wanted to let them demonstrate, teach, and inspire doing what they do best.

Mental health is often portrayed as something negative or as a weakness, but in reality, it can be your superpower. People living with different mental health diagnoses are often looked down upon and seen as less than people who are neurotypical. What most people don’t realize is that just by living with your mental health challenge, you are already a superhero. 

1 IN 5 PEOPLE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES. LET’S MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR EVERYONE. See it THIS way 2023 (including Labeled Fest) will be held on May 3rd, 17th & 31st. With an incredible program of interactive content from around the world and right here in Salt Lake City. Featuring films, ideas and tips celebrating and educating issues around mental health, disability and recovery, with a goal of ending stigma. Including youth and all ages programs. Check out Seeitthisway.org for more info

Between March and May 2022, a group of 8 Utah based LGBTQ youth attended and completed an iteration or Mental Healthy F.i.T's Authentic Perspective Program developed and presented around LGBTQ Youth Suicide awareness. Made possible and presented by the BW Bastion Foundation. http://bastianfoundation.org/

The Authentic Perspectives Film Production Workshop included a multi-week experience where the students were able to creatively express their story through film by breaking down stereotypes and offering different perspectives. A companion narrative piece was filmed to document the project, the issues addressed, and the goals of these young filmmakers.

There is no denying that homelessness is on the rise. Whether in Salt Lake City, Boston or San Francisco, these stories are all similar across the world no matter the geographic location. The issues leading to these situations are varied but one thing is true, we need to come together as a communities from the top to the bottom to offer assistance to everybody and anybody.

October is upon us, which not only means things that go bump in the night but also the beginning of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is a very common issue in mental health but can be treated as long as we don't treat depression with shame by forcing people to wear masks instead of ask for help. So let's celebrate mental health as well as Halloween this month.

Tips #11-15 that you can do any time you need a little boost. I'll tell you a secret...get into the swing of doing them all the time and not just when you need and you'll find you'll not need to as much. Check out 1-5 here…⠀

11. Take your meds.

Newly prescribed, oldies but goodies or even just vitamins? Always best to take them as needed. A broken arm needs a cast, so makes sense that mental health issues need support too.

12. Listen to a song you love.

The opening riff...The first chorus...The guitar solo...Uncontrollable toe tapping!

13. Sing a song out loud.

It's amazing how your mind remembers all the words from your teenage kicks! Sing it!! maybe someone will join in.

“If you're a human being walking the earth, you're weird, you're strange, you're psychologically challenged.” Philip Seymour Hoffman

Never a truer word spoken. We're all in it together, so let's just try and help each other get through it together.

Tips #6-10 that you can do any time you need a little boost. I'll tell you a secret...get into the swing of doing them all the time and not just when you need and you'll find you'll not need to as much. Check out 1-5 here…⠀

6. Sleep-in.

Nowhere to be? - Don't set the alarm. - Tap the snooze button. - Take that extra wee bit to rest. - If you can, have a full lazy day!

7. Cook your comfort.

Tasty can be healthy. - Use serotonin boosting ingredients. - Tofu, salmon, eggs, cheese and...

Dark chocolate all taste great and can help you feel great.- Eat and be merry.

"I put a dollar in the change machine. Nothing changed" George Carlin. ⠀
⠀
It's good to have perspective. But sometimes taking things at face value and expecting our preconceived outcomes can only lead to disappointment.⠀
In the end, it is down to you to change. But you gotta do the work!⠀

Here are the first 5 tips that you can do any time you need a little boost. I'll tell you a secret...get into the swing of doing them all the time and not just when you need and you'll find you'll not need to as much.⠀⠀

1. Go for a wander.

A walk can do you nought but good.

Exercise! - Fresh air! - Clear your mind! - Earn perks for your steps! - or Even fill your mind with podcasts!

2. Meditate for 5 mins.

Take a moment - Set a timer & …. Just breathe.

3. Plan a check up.

Either way, you'll get a clean bill of health or you'll get moving towards getting better.

Shaping Utah’s homeless services system. Mental health advocate Brian Higgins (and Mental Healthy F.i.T. Executive Director) is bringing his lived experience to a new state council that will shape Utah’s homeless services system.