Dr. Simone’s Mind Space

Youth Mental Well-Being

Recent research, clinical observations, teachers, parents, and young people themselves reported on their changes with their mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic, as a catalyst increasing and elevating pre-existing mental health problems in young people. The disruption of school, extended alone time, instead of with peers, lack of social interaction, too much time with parents, too much screen and too little physical activity time.

Beside all the challenges related to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine further increases the uncertainty of their future, not to forget the climate change and its impact on the generation of young people. Social media exposure, and its impact on mental well-being can’t be estimated enough. Bullying, incl cyber bullying are yet another major topic to be discussed.

 

The future is uncertain, full of question marks, what career path to choose, when there’s so many choices, yet so few that one understands and the decision so early to be made, yet so impactful for the future.

 

Working with young people since over a decade, in teaching, research, clinical, and consulting roles, I’ve noticed a shift in the number of young people struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and self-confidence, eating disorders, and self-harming behavior.

 

In Switzerland, similar to many counties, especially low and middle income counties mental health is still stigmatised. Lack of awareness, especially among the parental generation leading to avoiding, ignoring, and neglecting mental health problems among their adolescents. Help is often sought when the damage caused has already become a bush fire, rather than a small flame.

Teachers and peers often also don’t know what to say, how to act, what kind, if any support to provide. Yet, I’m so many of the conversations exactly the aspect of being seen is what the adolescents are missing. Having someone to ask and acknowledge they’re aware of their suffering is life saving.

 

Goal with this podcast isn’t, to point at anyone or blame anyone. It’s simply educative, Public Health Service. The idea is to raise awareness of the increasing problem of mental health disorders among youth. Set up ask for action plans, educate, health care professionals, teachers, parents, and youth themselves. How to prevent, act, and intervene early to avoid major problems hard to be fixed without leaving behind wounds, both physical and mental wounds.

 

How to help?

1. Genuinely ask how the person is doing.
2. Be a listener: Non-judgment, simply taking in what the person would like to share.
3. Don’t offer advice! It victimises the person and most of the time they know exactly what they’d need, but need support executing their step towards a healing ❤️‍🩹 process.
4. Offer company: cook or take a walk together. If someone’s very anxious, offer to stay over night with them.
5. Say it before it’s too late! Adress the issue, don’t shy away from telling! But then: suggest sources for support.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent 

A conversation about ageing

Today’s conversation on ageing and all it means for us women, with female entrepreneur and great inspiration, Dr. Vanessa Craig. Originally from Australia. She is a biomedical researcher and entrepreneur, living and working in Switzerland. Her company Formetta produces a premium collagen supplement and she leads a comprehensive nutrition program at Rivr with the aim to maximize health span.

 

@formetta

@unesurcent

@drschwank

Leadership analysis

Effective leaders and effective teams are the goal of each company. Finding teams that work together productively is however challenging. Particularly in todays society with hybrid work models, post pandemic shifts in work cultures and employees expectations and desires.

 

An in-depth objective analysis, plan for action, and individualised coaching and mentorship opportunities, tailored to the needs of each company and its complexity and challenges.

@drschwank

@unesurcent

Beauty from within

Todays conversation with female entrepreneurs and great inspiration, Dr. Vanessa Craig. Originally from Australia, she is a biomedical researcher and entrepreneur, living and working in Switzerland. Her company Formetta produces a premium collagen supplement and she leads a comprehensive nutrition program at Rivr with the aim to maximize health span.

 

@formetta

@unesurcent

@drschwank

Radioactivity and Beauty

“Nothing in life is to be feared- it is only to be understood” - Marie Curie

 

We cannot feel it, we cannot taste it, we cannot smell it, but we can be educated about it. We are talking about radiation and our member and expert professional Natalia will introduce us to this subject. She will explain what kinds of radiation there are, where do they come from and what risk they may be to us. A subject very eternal and very actual in the current days.

We will learn how to quantify the risks and take the protection of ourselves and our loved ones into own hands. A special attention will be paid to the subjects of anti-ageing, cancer risks prevention and the protection of the most radiation-vulnerable members of our society: the children.

Additionally in response to the current affairs the subject of radiation in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine will be discussed.

As a bonus you are invited to bring any object which you may be suspicious of to emit radiation. Advise: pay special attention to old watches, green glass or orange coated ceramic objects from the 20s to 50s, “energy jewelry”, electronic objects and anything else you might be wondering about.

 

@unesurcent

@drschwank

@apolloresearchsolutions

Traveling is freedom

The openness and curiosity for other cultures is something running in my family. My great grandparents moved to Malaysia to start ten mines in the middle of the jungle. These adventurous genes are why I’ve always been intrigued to live in different countries around the world.

It’s this freedom of navigating other cultures, languages, customs, arts of living that always drawn me to leave the safest place on earth Switzerland.

 

#traveling # curiosity #switzerland #drschwankinsights # podcast #unesurscent

 

@unesurcent

@drschwank

The power of the no

Saying no and setting boundaries is something I’m struggling with. It’s one of the most difficult things to do, I find. So often I end up exhausted from too much extraversion, scheduling too many things, then having to back off after already having committed on promised something.

Saying no accompanied with bad conscious, but also a lack of entitlement to say no.

@drschwank 

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Packing for business and leisure

This week’s a mega travelling week. Zürich, Florence, Stockholm, Zürich, New York, Stockholm.

How to pack outfits rather than piles of clothes and accessories. Further, pack in a way that’s economic also to unpack. My least favourite activity and a must do asap as I’m home. No relaxation before unpacking. That’s just how I am.

Planning and packing outfits is an excellent way to pack only the most essential pieces and yet be prepared for any situation when abroad. Check the weather before you leave so you’ll have all the necessary pieces with you. Bring basics that you can combine, plus accessories, picked wisely, to match multiple outfits.

 

@drschwank 

@unesurcent 

Taking a break

Sitting at one of my favourite coffee bars in Stockholm between teaching students. It’s sooo essential to take out time for oneself and enjoy the small pleasures in life. Recharging batteries, knowing when you need to say no, slow down, speed up or simply just be. It feels so so great, to remind oneself that life’s too short for running around without a pause. I’m definitely not an expert in that, but my husband enjoys the more tranquil sides of life and that’s a fabulous reminder.

 

@drschwank 

@unesurcent

Self- perception vs. other-perception

Self perception vs. other perception

I’ve just had the most amazing call. Just when I needed it the most, a fellow woman in science and founder of multiple companies called me. We talked and she told me she felt intimidated calling me. I was so surprised, almost couldn’t believe it. Being so incredibly self-critical and never acknowledging anything positive about myself, always seeing area of improvement. It felt so refreshing to hear her talk and made me realise how self and other perception can be so vastly opposed, like it is in my case.

@drschwank

@unesurcent