OTR Wellbeing Champion

Our deep and broad experiences in the mental health space over the past 10 years inform us that a strong foundation in mental wellbeing is rooted in good self-care habits that is holistic and transformative — complemented by a community-based model of care with trained Wellbeing Champions leading the way, whether at home, in the school, out in the community or in the workplace — supplemented by the traditional counselling and psychotherapy for those who need acute mental health care. At OTR we call this the Circle-of-Care – that the journey in mental wellness begins with each of us – within us. It begins the moment we decide to take personal responsibility for our own mental wellbeing, supported on this journey by the ecosystem of friends and family, peers, wellness guides, mental health professionals and experts.

A Wellbeing Champion is first and foremost a role model in the community who takes responsibility for his / her own mental wellbeing through self-care practices that create positive change on the inside. The change manifested within then radiates outwards — from the core to the shell—inside to the outside—enabling you to care for and serve those around you better—to become a more effective and aware mental wellness care-giver and wellness guide for others in the community.

Mental wellness is not just the absence of mental illness, but the attainment of happiness and wellbeing. To create positive change in your mental world — to enhance your mental wellbeing — you need to start by looking within — tuning into your body, your breath, your mind — getting your inside right. If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place. This is a journey in Holistic Self-Care — a journey in self-discovery, healing and transformation. 

Holistic self-care is about taking care of yourself physically, by listening to your body, getting sufficient sleep, ample exercise, good nutrition, healthy dose of sunshine, daily meditation; intellectually, by maintaining a sense of curiosity, an appetite for learning new things, staying hungry and foolish; emotionally, by letting go of toxic emotions, cultivating positive emotions of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity, appreciation, forgiveness, gratitude, generosity, contentment, and inner peace; socially, by making time for family and friends, giving support to and accepting support from others, contributing to the community, volunteering for a cause you believe in; and spiritually, by living authentically – acting from your Deepest Truth, connecting to your Highest Self – knowing that we’re all connected – finding purpose, meaning, fulfilment.

Getting your inside right is first and foremost about knowing yourself — truly and deeply; uncovering your core values and strengths — your motivations and aspirations — fining your inner voice. It’s shining a light on your inner shadows, reconciling with past hurt towards healing and wholeness. It’s developing, mastering, and harnessing your inner resources — your heart and mind – your thoughts and emotions – to serve your best self – making the mind your trusted friend. It’s creating your own inner allies – rediscovering your inner light and creative sparks. It’s taking responsibility for your own wellbeing – doing something today that your future self will thank you for.

The change manifested within then radiates outwards—from the core to the shell—inside to the outside. By gaining a greater awareness of your own thoughts and emotions, your motivations and aspirations, you will naturally become more aware of others’ emotions and motivations. Combined with Empathic Communication skills — to communicate more deeply and effectively through empathy, deep listening, asking learning questions, balancing asking vs. telling, etc —  and foundational Mentoring skills — to become a more effective and aware mental wellness care-giver and wellness guide for others in the community — turning community care into a common reality.