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Healing Through Our Experiences
Mental Health Education. Lived Experience Advocacy. Suicide Prevention. Peer Support.
OUR WORK
OUR WORK
OUR WORK
Our goal is to spread sunshine wherever we go! We love talking about all things mental health and suicide prevention. Our work involves educational programs, trainings, public speaking engagements, media appearances, conference presentations and more! To book a presentation for you organization or community, please visit our CONTACT page.
MISSION
OUR WORK
OUR WORK
Our mission is to elevate voices of lived experience in mental health and attempted suicide. We aim to educate, provide support and validation, and inspire recovery in a way that reflects agency and respect for the individual. Our belief is that advocacy and education are key to reducing crises.
HISTORY
OUR WORK
HISTORY
Founded in 2016, WHERE IS THE SUNSHINE?, INC. was inspired by the songs that encourage us to get through the storm and wait for the sun. Living with a mental health disorder is never easy. Often time support and access to care are unavailable or unaffordable. We want to help create a world which allows others to feel accepted and want to live in.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH?
What is Mental Health?
Types of Available Mental Health Services
What is Mental Health?
Mental Health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" (World Health Organization)
That said...There is no standard of measurement as to what defines mental health for an individual meaning that mental health is very personal and no two individuals model mental health the same. What equals mental wellbeing for you may not equal mental wellbeing for me.
Mental Health Disorders
Types of Available Mental Health Services
What is Mental Health?
Mental Health Disorders "refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors."
(MAYO Clinic)
Mental Health Disorders=Mental Illness=Mental Health Challenges
These terms are used interchangeably but some prefer to not use "illness" as they feel it has a negative connotation.
Types of Available Mental Health Services
Types of Available Mental Health Services
Types of Available Mental Health Services
There are many different types of treatment and services that are available including:
- Psychotherapy
- Medication/Psychiatry
- IOP/PHP Programs
- Group Therapy
- Peer Support
- Peer Support Groups
- Music Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Please note that not all services are available in every area. Some services may have cost barriers or other barriers.
Coping Skills and Support
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
Types of Available Mental Health Services
Coping skills are the techniques we use to help us manage difficult situations including emotions and stressors.
Coping Skills = Coping Mechanisms = Coping Strategies
Coping Skills are divided up into two types:
Problem-based Coping Skills and
Emotion-based Coping Skills
There are also positive coping skills and negative coping skills.
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
Our approach to suicide prevention is a bit different than most other approaches in that we like to give as much agency to the individual in crisis as possible. Many other organizations practice forced treatment, forced hospitalization, include law enforcement, and do not consider the individuals wishes in their own plan of care.
We aim to educate individuals on how to manage their suicidality as well as families and friends on how they can best support their loved ones in crisis
When "Reaching Out" Isn't That Easy
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
Suicide Prevention and Harm Reduction
This is where we differ from others BIG TIME! There's this idea in mental health and suicide prevention that encouraging people to reach out is the best course of action. But what happens when a person doesn't have someone to reach out to? What happens when they reach out and receive a reaction they weren't expecting such as rejection, denial, or forced hospitalization? Or if the support isn't available such as no appointments for several weeks or support is unaffordable?
Our approach is rooted in lived experience!