Thematic Texts: Paths to Mental Health
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns were rising, especially among young people. The isolation and collective trauma of the pandemic made people’s struggles with mental health even more visible, and the topic of mental health started to receive more attention. Regardless of whether a person has a diagnosed mental illness or mental health condition, everyone can take small steps to support their mental health. What actions can we take to build and sustain our mental health as part of our daily routines and responsibilities? How can the connections we form with others boost our mental health? How can we cope when our mental health is suffering?
The readings in this section will address issues related to mental health and help you to reflect on your mental health and wellness.
- 34: The Lifesaving Power of Gratitude (or, Why You Should Write That Thank You Note)
- 35: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Make You Happier and Healthier
- 36: Why Does Experiencing ‘Flow’ Feel So Good? A Communication Scientist Explains
- 37: Amid Travel Ban, Refugee Women Cope With Trauma and Stress Through Drum Circles
- 38: Don’t Tell Me to Despair about the Climate: Hope Is a Right We Must Protect
- 39: Less Work, More Living
Each chapter includes a process to preview the text, read it interactively, reflect on the content and your reading process, summarize it, respond to it, and extend your work with ideas presented in the text.
The readings are followed by a chapter of activities to help you make connections among the content of texts and the techniques used by the writers.
