Mental health is something we all have a relationship with – if you have a brain, you have mental health! Whether you have your own journey with your personal mental fortitude, or you’ve witnessed a loved one struggle with their own, we all are impacted by the mental health of ourselves and others.
Spark The Conversation is a program created by Nature’s Grace and Wellness after realizing that there was a gap in the cannabis industry when it comes to conversations about mental health. In an effort to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, we created Spark to support our Budristas and provide informational resources to all our amazing customers. Many folks use cannabis as a means to alleviate issues with their mental health, such as stress, anxiety, or insomnia. We want to ensure that we cultivate and promote a healthy relationship with cannabis for all. While marijuana can benefit those struggling with their mental health, it’s even more important to encourage flower-fans to take care of themselves in other ways. Through Spark, we’ve been able to deliver pop-ups to shoppers and workshops for dispensary employees. In addition to our workshops, we’ve partnered with some fantastic organizations including the Hope For Us Now Network, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Prevent 22. For dispensaries and customers that are looking to support the Spark program, our Mindful Moments 1G Pre-Rolls are available for purchase – a portion of the proceeds goes to an organization that provides support for mental health
In addition to our workshops and proceeds donations, we also provide general tips on coping with mental health struggles:
Tips for Centering
- Spend time with a pet if you can – they have a 6th sense for reducing stress
- Take some time to draw, write, or journal. Creative outlets can help you distract yourself or rechannel your anxious energy.
- Calm your body with techniques such as Box Breathing, meditation, or EFT Tapping. If you feel up to exercising (or even a quick walk), your endorphins can help balance out your emotions a bit.
- Do a quick inventory of your environmental senses – name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you taste, and 1 thing you smell
- Take a few hours to go out into nature. Seeing flowing water, grass, and flowers may seem simple, but getting visuals of nature around you can help calm your brain.
For those who are looking for ways to help your loved ones with their own mental health journey, check out our tips for providing support.
How to Be Supportive
- Ask ‘What,’ not ‘Why’ questions:
- Asking ‘what’ gives a person the opportunity to pinpoint the exact issue that’s bothering them without feeling like they have to justify their emotions
- Listen for comprehension, not comparison
- Go into the conversation with an open mind. Allow it to flow naturally without providing your own prognosis – unless asked
- Be supportive
- Help direct your friend to resources that may be better equipped to provide support to them
- Follow up
- Be sure to check back in with your friend to let them know that you’re there for them
- Set boundaries
- If you’re unable to provide dedicated support for them, reroute your loved one to additional resources that they can reach out to for support, education, and more
Keep an eye out on our social media for upcoming Spark pop-ups at Bud & Rita’s, and be sure to join us at Homestead on the Roof on 5/20 for Spark The Conversation with Mindful Moments on the Roof (more details to come).
To learn more about Spark The Conversation or to arrange a workshop, please fill out THIS FORM.
