Shalem continues to have an active presence on Social Media, sharing information and resources about a variety of relevant topics.
Shalem’s Facebook page links our readers to a wide array of quality resources on topics ranging from mental health to parenting, relationships and grief. It is also used to share news and updates about Shalem’s various programs. We use it to communicate about upcoming workshops and trainings such as the upcoming Hold Me Tight® workshop for couples, or trainings to become WrapAround facilitators or FaithCARE providers.
Shalem’s RE-create Art Studio also has a Facebook page which in some way serves as an extension of the community that is fostered there. Followers of this page can see artist’s profiles for events such as the recent Battle of the Brushes. Beautiful art is shared, and youth artists are occasionally featured.
Shalem’s twitter account is another way @ShalemMHN engages in conversations about a range of important topics, tweeting under hashtags as diverse as #suicideawareness, #mentalhealth, #restorehope, #caregiving, #healthyrelationships, and #BellLetsTalk.
A number of Shalem’s staff regularly write blogs, which are posted on Shalem’s website and shared over social media. The blogs are thoughtful reflections on a range of things from news events or important social movements to parenting and topics related to emotional and relationship health. We have just added an option to subscribe to the blog to have it emailed to your inbox when it is published. Sign up on the blog page of Shalem’s website soon so you don’t miss our next posting!
Another way Shalem seeks to engage with social media is with #GivingTuesday. Giving Tuesday is a movement dedicated to giving back, which takes place each year after Black Friday. Now in its 6thyear, this movement has grown over the years to create opportunities for giving and volunteering. By participating in GivingTuesday, Shalem is part of a movement on social media that fosters generosity and gives people opportunities to make a difference in their communities. This year, GivingTuesday falls on November 27, 2018—watch for the posts from Shalem and many other non-profits, civic organizations and charities that create an opportunity to coordinate our efforts and gifts, allowing our small acts of kindness to have a big impact!
Our purpose for social media is to extend the conversations about living well, relating and caring far beyond our office walls. Our hope is to get people thinking and talking about issues related to mental health and healthy relationships, and to share information and resources. Please join the conversations by liking, commenting and sharing on whatever social media platform you prefer!
Susan Winter Fledderus is a Clinical Therapist with Shalem Mental Health Network.