Since its introduction of whole health care in 2017, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare’s vision is a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life. To help further that vision, Cascadia is sharing 12 tips on how to create a “whole community.” The tips are focused on connecting and supporting one another as community members, with the end result of becoming a more compassionate, safe, caring city, county and state.

Here are some of the ways you can help build a whole community:

1. Start with yourself. Celebrate your successes and forgive yourself for your mistakes. Focus on your strengths and positive qualities.
2. Be kind. Give your kindness away without expecting anything back. Kindness is contagious.
3. Encourage others. Positive reinforcement is always helpful to a person who is thinking they are either stuck or will never get out of the circumstances they are in at that moment.
4. Your words matter. Your words can have a real impact on others, so it’s important to consider what you want to say before you express yourself. Ask yourself if what you want to say is: True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?
5. Listen and learn. Make an effort to just listen to what others have to say. Contribute to the conversation, but learn from what others have to say. If you are willing to learn, everyone has something to teach you.
6. Offer help. Volunteer to help someone out with something on their chore list or even something bigger that will help them accomplish something.
7. Make eye contact and smile.
8. Be the difference. Take a mental health first aid course to better understand how you can make a difference in creating a whole community.
9. Advocate. Support mental health services, funding, and legislation that will help others reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
10. Volunteer with a community organization. Volunteering connects you to others. Spending time helping people is good for your body, mind, and soul.
11. Give when you can. Donating to your favorite nonprofit can go a long way in supporting services and programs your community members need.
12. Stay curious. Instead of judging or making assumptions, practice more curiosity when you can.

“Tackling our community’s challenges of health and housing inequity is difficult and complex, but at Cascadia we believe that the crucial first step is breaking the stigma and creating a better understanding of what each of us can do to help,” said Derald Walker, President and CEO of Cascadia. “We are all a piece of this puzzle, and if we work together we can create a whole community – one that allows everyone to thrive.”

There are many positive shifts we can make in our everyday lives, but these 12 tips are great ways to start changing and embracing the idea of becoming a whole community.

Community Resources:

• Free posters are available by contacting communications@cascadiabhc.org
• View, download and share our animated tips.
• Community members and organizations can sign up for Mental Health First Aid training by contacting mentalhealthfirstaid@cascadiabhc.org
• Check out Cascadia’s community events for conversations, celebrations, and learning.