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Building Stronger Minds and Safer Communities: SUFU Northern and Aroostook Chapters Take Action
From Stacy Giberson
Prioritizing Brain Health In January, SUFU (Speaking Up for Us) chapters met over Zoom to discuss the importance of brain health and ways to take control of personal well-being. Members explored strategies to improve brain health, such as making individualized plans and enlisting supportive networks to achieve their goals. Key topics included brain-healthy foods, increasing water intake, staying physically active, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule.
For those unable to join the Zoom meetings, alternative discussions took place in person at program locations or over the phone. During the third week of January, chapters gathered in their local libraries or recreation centers. One group, still learning about SUFU, met at their program location and identified that they feel most comfortable meeting in person at a familiar setting. Future discussions will explore additional community meeting spaces.
Tackling Bullying Through Self-Advocacy As February began, Northern Penobscot and Aroostook County Chapters delved into the topic of bullying. Chapters engaged in meaningful discussions about different types of bullying, strategies for responding to it, and how to support those who experience bullying. The importance of choosing kindness over aggression resonated deeply, sparking personal reflections among members.
One of the most profound moments of the discussion revolved around recognizing unregulated emotional responses. Initially, this concept seemed complex, but self-advocates quickly connected with the idea and shared personal experiences. Many acknowledged times when they had both been victims of bullying and, at times, unintentionally engaged in bullying behavior themselves. This realization led to an insightful conversation on distinguishing between unregulated emotional responses and intentional bullying.
Each chapter meeting concludes with the question: "Was this topic helpful to your self-advocacy?" The response was a resounding "yes." One self-advocate courageously shared a personal story about experiencing mistreatment from a teacher during their time in school but feeling unable to speak up due to fear of disbelief. They expressed that having these discussions at a younger age would have given them the confidence to advocate for themselves. Inspired by this reflection, the advocate plans to create a video to share their story, reinforcing the importance of speaking up.Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
Looking Ahead Moving forward, chapters will continue gathering personal stories and capturing some on video to raise awareness about bullying prevention. These stories will be paired with practical tips and strategies to help individuals prevent and address bullying effectively.
In the third week of February, weather permitting, discussions on self-advocacy will continue with a focus on capturing personal experiences for video sharing.
SUFU chapters remain dedicated to empowering individuals through education, shared experiences, and collective action. Together, we are building stronger minds and safer communities, one conversation at a time. I’m looking forward to our next discussion, Stacy G
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