Managing Stress Pilot Program participants' graduation day (Image: Submitted)
The Saint John Women’s Empowerment Network, (SJWEN) is partnering with the United Way to build a “managing stress” program for the community.
Program Facilitator, Leah Secord says the network had been requesting a program focused on handling stress and coping with difficulties and obstacles women face on a regular basis, long before the COVID-19 pandemic happened.
“The program itself dives into positive self-talk, how our brains are functioning, the impact of stress on our physical bodies, and our mental health and how we behave around others when we’re when we’re experiencing stress,” says Secord.
“Managing Stress” is a 16-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions across four weeks. The main topics include: Understanding Stress, Identifying Stress, and Coping with Stress. The SJWEN also connects participants to additional community resources, such as family classes and counselling.
Secord adds the program was developed by its community partners and steering committee.
Managing Stress Pilot Program participant working on activity (Image: Submitted)
The pilot program took place in March with a group of seven women who participated in past programs.
Each week, participants are introduced to a guest facilitator who shares ways to manage stress. Examples of coping with stress covered include spending time in nature, accessible physical exercise, listening to music and nutrition.
“We love working in the community” Secord said. “There’s only so much that we can do and that’s the beauty really of Saint John in there are so many people in the city that are in organizations that are working to support people.”
SJWEN hopes to run another of its Managing Stress programs before the end of 2021, with an official start date yet to be announced.
Secord adds stress, and learning how to manage stress, is an issue that was a long time coming, with a worldwide pandemic showing just how much society needs a framework to support mental health.
“While I think that COVID has certainly placed a magnifying glass on mental health, on folks needing to manage their stress levels, I think that need was there prior to COVID,” she said. “COVID just heightened that need, it put things into hyper focus – if the community needed it before, they certainly need it now.”
People interested in learning more about Saint John Women’s Empowerment Network and its “Managing Stress” program can visit SJWEN’s Facebook page.
