So many people!
Here in the Keys the winter 'season' means there are lots of snowbirds around, but it’s more than that this year. In the past few weeks, both Islamorada and Key Largo Chambers of Commerce events have been full to capacity and business is good!
And yet, with all the people, work, sunshine, and events, sometimes I still feel a bit lonely.
In fact loneliness is really widespread, even for people who are around other people all the time and especially for those of us making any kind of transition.
According to a excellent podcast episode* I heard recently, loneliness can come in different forms -- intimate, relationship and collective – and dramatically increases our vulnerability to all kinds of mental and physical health concerns.
Connection is the cure for loneliness and we got a good dose of it during our January luncheon on the topic of mental health.
Our speaker Edith Bricker gave an incredibly moving talk that included a personal account of serious mental illness in her family, straightforward advice, a range of specific resources and timely opportunities to advocate for mental health nationally, across Florida and right here in the Keys.
She summed it up by saying: "….the women of BPW, with their connections and savvy, can help: Please, stay informed and be vocal about the needs and successes regarding mental health."
One of our members took that call to heart immediately on social media, sharing how she related to Edith’s stories with links to a key resource:
"…I feel blessed to have been in this room and to have learned more about the resources that ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO those who may be suffering.
: NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness
: (305)-665-2540
: https://namimiami.org
If you need help please call NAMI as soon as possible and please also do not be afraid to ASK FOR HELP. I wish I would have known about these resources when I needed them. The least I can do now, is help SHARE."
Talk about empowered women empowering women!
If you want to take another small step to lower the level of loneliness in the Keys, please join our evening networking event next Wednesday in Islamorada. Bring a Valentine/ Galentine/Palentine if you want -- and I bet you'll find some new ones too!
Warm regards,
Jill
Jill Kuehnert
Upper Keys BPW President
(305) 767-3928
*The podcast is The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, episode “The Secret to Making Friends as an Adult” and it includes some really excellent science-backed steps to increase your circle of friends!
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