Connect

Connection is a vital part of human flourishing. In the world today, we have to consciously make decisions to reconnect to ourselves, to the people we love, to nature and to the community at large. Connection can also include making a conscious choice to connect and nurture our relationship to all the aspects of ourselves. Learning how to connect to self and others is an art that can be mastered through practice.

Activations:

  1. Take your conversations to a deeper level with the Inspiring Children Foundation’s conversation cards created by ICF youth: Talking prompts.

  2. Complete an activity with yourself or others that is about spending time, listening deeply and nurturing that relationship. 

  3. Ask Meaningful, Follow-Up Questions: Inside of every human is a world of wonder. By practicing curiosity you can begin to know yourself and others if a more meaningful way. This goes along with listening deeply. When you listen deeply you will naturally and effortlessly be able to ask meaningful, follow-up questions that show you are present and paying attention. Participate in group/team communication exercises.

  4. Join a Community in Person or Online

  • There are a variety of in-person and online communities that are designed to build connection. Innerworld, an online immersive peer to peer mental health  community invites people to connect, share, heal and grow.  Find your own happier place—in Innerworld! Their built-for-wellness worlds give you unlimited access to a social VR mental health peer support community. Click here to download the app (2-Month FREE TRIAL with our link)

  • TrevorSpace - Free online Youth LGBTQ+ Community (FREE)

  • JewelNeverBroken online community: This is a free emotional fitness destination that gives you the tools you need to create change in your life. Based off of the mental health curriculum created by the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Jewel and run by the Inspiring Children Foundation youth and staff. (FREE)

  • Inspire House - a youth led twitch channel that hosts guided meditations, yoga, workouts and mental health conversations (FREE)

  • Text NATIVE to 94449 - For weekly health tips, contest, and life advice

  • South Asian Youth Support Group 

  • Deepak Chopra AI Bot Mobile App

  • Sound It Out Together Using the power of music to help caregivers start conversations with their kids about emotional well-being

Resources:

  1. See this article which cites a study that shows that less small talk makes you happier

  2. Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World - Dr. Vivek Murthy

  3. How to Build Stronger Connections - Dr. Mark Hyman

  4. The Trevor Project LGBTQ+ mental health support

  5. BIPOC/AAPI  Mental Health Resources & Communities - NAMI

  6. LGBTQ+ Support on JewelNeverBroken

  7. Sound It Out Together - Caregivers use the power of music to help start conversations about emotional wellbeing.

  8. NAMI’s faith-based mental health resources

  9. Tip for getting kids to open up

Hotline information: If you are in crisis please call the mental health hotline and dial 988. You can also text ‘HERO’ to 741741.