Mental Toxins to Mental Health

Think of how many communities are impacted everyday, now think of how many children in those communities are affected? They are being heavily weighed on by strong social forces that contribute to the oppression within their communities. For youth development spaces and workers to be able to truly understand, advocate and influence these children in a positive way it is not only essential but required to take these social forces into account. 

                        

Just as the article mentioned that the youth doesn't only endure a physical toxin but a mental toxin. We all endure these of all ages, but it is important to learn how to recognize these mental toxins, so that we can remove them from our environments and ultimately our life. Although, it is much easier too spot a physical toxin it can become easier to recognize a mental toxin such as oppression and poverty as the article mentioned. Recognition is a huge part of the problem though. People, adults, youth, all endure oppression, sexism, etc daily and don't recognize it often because it has become the "norm" in cases. RECOGNITION of the wrong doing is the first step in making changes for the better of the PEOPLE. 

Despite mental and physical toxins I think that this article needed to touch base one social toxins and emotional toxins as well, because they ultimately all connect somehow. Social toxins can include, unemployment, inadequate safety and lack of access to education. While emotional toxins can include feelings such as fear, humiliation, or uncertainty. 

It is always important to check your mental health and it is just as important to check on your family, friends, strangers even mental health. No matter how happy someone can seem on the outside, the inside may not match that.

                     

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month