May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Be the Superhero of Your Life

This article is brought to you by our partners at Learn to Live. Learn to Live is a free wellness and mental health service offered to all Pension Fund members who are active ministers and their household members (spouse and children) over the age of 13. Learn more on our Learn to Live page.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, unleash your inner superhero by taking charge of your mental health and cultivating a more positive state of well-being. Like superheroes, we all have the power to do incredible things, but we may need to master a few skills and abilities first. Practicing optimism and gratitude, developing healthy relationships and coping effectively with stress, for example, are skills that can be learned and help us overcome whatever challenges life throws our way, in addition to improving the quality of our lives.

This May, Learn to Live invites you to join them in the pursuit of positive mental health by participating in the Mental Health Month Challenge! Complete either of the following to be entered for a chance to win an Amazon e-gift card:

• Enroll in a Learn to Live program and enter access code PFCC

• Complete a lesson within a program 

You can participate using Learn to Live’s new Resilience program or choose from six other self-guided online programs available anytime, anywhere. Learn practical strategies proven to address common challenges and develop the essential skills for maintaining positive mental health.

As part of Mental Health Awareness month, Pension Fund has partnered with Learn to Live to also offer a free mental health webinar to our members on May 17 at 1:00 p.m. EDT – Resilience: The Role of Optimism in Overcoming Life’s Challenges. Learn more and sign up here. As a bonus, 10 attendees will be randomly chosen to receive a free Learn to Live branded Hydro Flask water bottle.

Why Resilience?

The Power of Overcoming Adversity

Life can be full of challenges and setbacks. Whether it’s a difficult job, a rocky relationship or a global pandemic, the road can be bumpy! What makes those who thrive different? The answer is often resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from difficult experiences. It’s not about avoiding challenges but rather about facing them head on. Resilience is a key component of a person’s mental and emotional well-being. It can help us navigate the ups and downs of life with greater ease.

An Opportunity for Growth

One way to become more resilient is to focus on growth. Growth is the process of learning and developing new skills, attitudes and perspectives. It’s about discovering new possibilities. When we approach challenges with growth in mind, those challenges can become opportunities. These opportunities provide a way for us to learn from the situation and develop resilience as a result. Growth and resilience create a positive cycle that allows us to become better equipped to handle adversity and to learn from it in the future.

So how can we become more resilient?

» Practice self-care. Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and prioritize rest and relaxation.

» Set goals and act. Identify what you want to achieve and take steps to make it happen.

» Seek help when needed. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support from friends, family or professionals when you need it.

» Build a strong support network. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you.

By developing resilience and focusing on growth, we can thrive in the face of challenges. It’s not always easy, but it can help us to build a life that is full of meaning, purpose and joy.

Learn to Live’s comprehensive Resilience Program provides you with tools and strategies to grow your optimism and strength so that you can live a healthy, meaningful life. Learn to Live offers support all year long. On top of their wellness programs, Learn to Live offers experienced online coaches, too. Your coach can answer all your questions and provide support through weekly emails, texts or phone calls.

Get started today by visiting our Learn to Live page. If you’re already a member, simply sign in with your username and password.

Gifts by generous donors to Ministerial Relief and Assistance (MRA) make programs like Learn to Live possible to help support clergy wellness. Learn more about MRA here.