Every Monday at 3:00 PM CST
Every Wednesday at 8:00 CST
Photo: Anna Burch
Mental Meetup Info
Mental Meetup- A safe place for people to communicate and share their experiences
A Mental Meetup is an hour devoted to bettering our lives and building community. Each one is unique - shaped by the participants. It’s an opportunity to get things off your chest, ask for advice, vent, and support other people.
You are welcome to leave your video off and your name blank.
It’s okay if you’re not ready to share and just want to listen, that is a great place to start!
Mental Meetups offer realistic steps for emotional growth- IF we put the work in.
You can show up late or leave early
You don’t have to be in a quiet setting sitting at a computer. We understand that life is busy! You can join in any capacity- whether your driving, cleaning, or laying in bed, you’re always welcome.
What does it take to run an In person Mental Meetup?
-One human committed to hosting and holding space. It doesn’t have to be a healthcare professional, this is peer driven support.
-Access to the internet or a print out of the intro and reading.
-Space to hold the meeting. It could be outside at a public park, a living room, a skatepark… It doesn’t have to be formal.
-A way to let people know the Meeting exists. Printed fliers, instagram posts or stories, word of mouth.
FORMAT:
Set a timer for one hour. It can be less intimidating when there is a precise end time.
Start with intro then move into reading the topic. You can ask for volunteers to help read. After the reading is finished the host starts with their thoughts then passes to their left or right in the circle.
If someone is speaking for an exceptionally long time try remind them that we want to make sure everyone has time to share and time for discussion.
After everyone has an opportunity to speak announce that we’re moving into an open discussion.
If there are long silences ask the group or individuals some of the thought/journal topics. It helps to write these out so everyone can see them. (cardboard and a big sharpie or a white board)
7 minutes before the hour is up: ask if anyone has anything else they want to share before we wrap up.
End with asking a question related to positive growth or the reading topic, answering the question yourself, and then passing clockwise.
Examples:
What are you proud of yourself for?
What would you like to work on this week?
What are you grateful for?
Read Closing statement
Mental Meet Up Comments
Comments may be regarding the most recent meetup, current progress, stories, thoughts, etc.
This is a safe space for the Totally Mental Community.
Photo: Anna Burch