Last Chance to Take our FREE Dream Chaser Course

We launched the Dream Chaser course in 2015 as our first online course aimed at helping our audience pursue their goals from a place of self compassion and positive mindset. Over the course of the past 3 years we have tried our best to responded to the needs our community and earlier this year we took a break to reevaluate our core operations. As such we have made a recommitment  to creating useful resources and tools, focussed on inner health and healing based on a holistic model (mind, body & soul).

In 2018 we partnered with Liferithms who have developed a tool, KairosLi, which works to tackle issues around clarity and overwhelm, cultivating balance and wellbeing. The system is currently available for use, though the app will be available later in 2019. You may see more from Liferithms and KairosLi here, most especially in relation to stress, anxiety, depression and overwhelm

Oyinda Fakeye and Amanda Ihemebiri Talk Mental Health after Kate Spade and Anthony Bourda

Our Founder Oyindamola Fakeye featured on Arise TV's 'The Morning Show' alongside Ndidi's Amanda Ihemebiri to discuss issues around celebrity and mental health, in response to the recent death's of Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain and the increase in incidences coming to light in Lagos.

Silence and the Sufferer

Silence and the Sufferer from Furaha Rooshie Asani on Vimeo.

"I came across this video some time last year and have been meaning to share it, I hope it touches the creatives out there, as it did me." Oyindamola Fakeye, Founder Sound Mind Africa You can read more on the video here: Silence & the Sufferer

Simple Techniques to Leading a Positive Life Through Mindfulness

Studies have shown that most people are either thinking about past events or planning for the future and this thought process can account for up to 45% of all our day to day thoughts. How crazy is it that almost 50% of of our lives are spent outside of the moment. Maybe its why we have come to love the Snapchat and Instagrams' of the world, as we can revisit the moments we mentally weren't being present in?

A great way to cultivate an emotionally and mentally healthy lifestyle is through the practice of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. Involving the observation of ones' thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Living mindfully means to live in the moment, fully aware of the present experience.

Mindfulness does not require you to make a total life overhaul, we can all benefit from slowing down and truly being aware of our current experiences. Just small changes here and there can bring about greater positivity and peace of mind. Those of us (myself included) who are prone to anxiety, stress or depression about an uncertain future or a longing for the past can set ourselves the daily task of being more mindful and see the benefits begin to manifest.

If you are a complete beginner in the school of Mindfulness, Leo Babauta of  Zen Habits, has broken down 12 mindful techniques into practical applicable steps below:

1. Meditation. Meditation is where mindful living starts. And it’s not complicated: you can sit still for even just 1 minute a day to start with (work up to 3-5 minutes after a week), and turn your attention to your body and then your breath. Notice when your thoughts wander from your breath, and gently return to the breath. Repeat until the minute is up.

Mental Health, Why Nigeria, Africa is losing The War.

Culled from: http://africadevelopmenttalk.com/policy/mental-health-why-nigeria-africa-is-losing-the-war/  

When it comes to health care system, many nations in Africa have no structured and functional means of addressing pertinent issues for people who are considered ‘fit not to now talk of people who are considered’insane’ or being troubled by the ‘gods’ or through personal misdeeds.

As an individual,  I used to think mental health cases are hopeless and must have been caused by misdeed of the affected person. Unfortunately many grew up here with such an erroneous belive that all mental health issues are not redeemable and all we could do Is to allow individuals to go through whatever experience they are experiencing. Like others, ignorance had led many into selfish orientation of not acknowledging the need for emphaty  with mental health patients because we do believe  the causes may be as a result of individual misdeeds or effect of  ‘god, traditional cultscults etc ‘.

Your Diet & Your Mind With Sasa's Kitchen

The role our diets play in promoting good mental health is often over shadowed by the emphasis currently place on  prescription (or self) medication and to a lesser extent counselling. Having a balanced diet does wonders for improving behavioural and emotional cognition.

Sasa's Kitchen provides innovative ideas to traditional African cuisine. They have a penchant for using healthy, fresh and non GMO produce. Saratu Bantu the lead chef talks through her experiences with the topic of mental health and shares an easy recipe for our readers to recreate at home.

Mental illness is something we don't discuss where I come from. It is something other people have; it is not an African illness. One isn't allowed to feel sad or down let alone display mental illness. "What do you have to be sad about when you have more than most people in the country?" You will find people asking especially the older folks. "You have God by your side, no weapons fashioned against you shall prosper, amen", they continue. "Ah! I didn't hear you say amen", they frown.

10 secrets to success with Effa Management

 1) How you think is everything. Think success not failure, what you are trying to achieve is to teach your mind how to seek the positive and not negative from every situation. "If you can control it then do it and if you cant control it then change your attitude towards it.

 2) Decide your true dreams and goals. A new years resolution that you don't write down is just a dream. Writing it down starts the plan. Dreams + A Written Plan= Step 3

 3) Take Action. A plan is nothing if it just sits there catching dust. Put it in to action, take control of your goals and aspirations. Do nothing and you will stay the same as you were yesterday and the day before and the day before that.

Depression and the Loss of Robin Williams

I was so sad to hear about the suicide and battle with depression and it moved me to action. Having battled with depression for many years I know what its like to face this terrible disease head on. I have been saddened by a lot of the negative reactions to his death as though I am against self harm and suicide but I also can empathise with those who feel " mentally lost". There are multiple treatment methods for depression and associated disorders and I hope to highlight some of them here especially in relation to modern practices in Africa.

 I think it's important to state that anyone can go through depression and there are people around us who suffer in silence, we must be able to provide an environment that offers up a safe place to express the vulnerability they feel in relation to their situation.  

If you or anyone you know are battling with mental health issues, encourage them to seek professional help. There is nothing wrong with seeing a qualified psychologist, psychiatrist and/or counsellor, I believe that even the most "well adjusted" of us can benefit at some time in our lives from seeking help.

If you are in need of further information contact: soundmindafrica@gmail.com

Please check in here regularly for updates.

 #riprobinwilliams