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Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com In this video, Mike Veny details the birth of Transforming Stigma™. This short speech was recorded as part of a panel on overcoming challenges at the 2014 National Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (C-E-O) Conference at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida.

First, Mike shares about filing bankruptcy in 2005 and building a career as a drummer after that. Then in 2011, Mike had a mental health breakdown. After reaching out to a friend from the New York State Department of Mental Health for help, she responded with an invitation for him to speak at her conference.

After that first speech, Mike was traveling around the country within a few months, opening up mental health conferences as a keynote speaker. Transforming Stigma™ was born. In the spirit of overcoming challenges, Mike reminds us that sometimes our biggest challenges are our greatest opportunities. Sometimes that thing that you are struggling with can inspire the perfect business idea. The key is being aware and open to it.

Entrepreneurship was always in Mike's blood, but he never would have thought he'd be marketing the toughest thing of all – his own issues. Although, he never dreamed of being a mental health speaker (who does?), Mike is honored to do this work to help others who are like him. Mike knows what it's like to feel a lost sense of hope. Mike knows what it's like to feel pain. Mike knows what it's like to be scared. This is why he does this work in mental health.

Your greatest challenges can be your greatest opportunities.

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.MikeVeny.Com Toca artist Mike Veny having some fun in the studio and demonstrating new djembes with his friends Tristant Marzeski and Brendan Finnegan (fellow Toca artist). In this video, Mike demonstrates a simple idea of how you can have fun with percussion regardless of your skill level or ability. This playful exchange was inspired by Mikes work as a drum circle facilitator, studying Developmental Community Music with Kalani, laughter yoga, and being his childlike self.

Having fun with music is so important. We've become a society that takes recreational music making way too seriously. Honoring traditional rhythms and techniques is important for education and childlike playfulness is important for the spirit. Mike, Brendan, and Tristan are clearly having fun.

In addition to the fun they are having, they are demonstrating the Toca 14 inch Freestyle Djembe (Toca's best selling percussion item), the Toca 14 inch Freestyle Djembe with an extended rim, and the Toca Master Series Djembe. Mike has used both instruments extensively and has found the Freestlye to be flexible enough to fit a variety of musical situations. Best of all, this drum is really light. The Master Series Djembe is simply a work of art. The dense wood is hand carved and the drum has a crystal clear tone, regardless of where you play on it. As always, Toca succeeded in making instruments that sound great and looks great.

Both of these djembes have become an important part of Mike's sound as drummer. He uses Freestyle djembe for most performances and recordings, and brings out the Master Series djembe on special occasions. Both instruments bring him much happiness.

Visit Mike Veny's website at http://www.MikeVeny.Com

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/how-to-find-a-good-therapist.html How to find a good therapist!

In this video, mental health stigma expert and speaker, Mike Veny talks about how to find a good therapist. As a person who has been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital 3 times and been in and out of therapy for most of his life, Mike has learned a thing or two about getting good help.

One of the easiest ways to find a good therapist is to ask a friend for a referral. The challenging part about this for most people, however, is feeling uncomfortable letting anyone know about struggling with a mental health challenge. When it comes to other services, such as auto repair or a dentist, we don't hesitate to ask friends for referrals.

Whether or not the therapist that you try was from a referral or not, you should be able to tell within 2 or 3 sessions if that particular therapist is a fit for you. Regardless of what anyone says about what you want to look for, it comes down to a gut feeling about that person being a good fit for you. You'll know it when you find it.

Also, your therapists can change over time. Sometimes a therapist that was initially a good fit for you no longer fits you. Like many relationships in life, you may outgrow the relationship and that's a wonderful thing. Keep in mind that there as many different types of therapy as there are therapists out there. Mike Veny has had sessions with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and licensed counselors. Each type of therapy and therapist brought something unique to the table.

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Visit Mike Veny's mental health blog, at http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/blog

Also, check out this video: “Anger Management: How to Control Anger – 2019 – (Actionable!)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUxbiqfNu8w

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http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/what-is-mental-health-exactly.html What is mental health exactly. In this video, mental health speaker Mike Veny talks about what the term actually means. Some people refer to it as ‘psychological health' or ‘behavioral health'. Regardless of which term you use, Mike believes that it refers to 3 things:

1. The health of your thoughts. This includes thinking about harming yourself or hearing voices. This can distort your perception of reality and lead to confusion.
2. The health of your feelings. This includes extreme mania and depression.
3. The health of your behavior. This includes acting out inappropriately toward yourself or others.

If any of these aren't well, then you are having a mental health challenge (some call it a mental illness).

Some people are of the opinion that your thoughts lead to feelings. Your feelings lead to your behavior. Your behavior then leads to other thoughts. If you look at mental health from this point of view, then you have a framework for taking care of yourself mentally.

Taking care of your mental health can include:

* Seeing a therapist or counselor.
* Taking psychiatric medication.
* Surrounding yourself with positive people.
* Exercise.
* Nutrition.
* Meditation.
* Maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
* Getting sleep.

Interestingly, many of the activities listed above are essential for your physical health as well. Sometimes people like to separate mental health from physical health. Although they are different, they work in synergy.

The link to the article at the beginning of this description contains information about 2 mental health assessments that you can take online to check the status of your own mental health.

Follow Mike Veny on Twitter at http://Twitter.Com/MikeVeny

Like Mike Veny on Facebook at http://Facebook.Com/MikeVeny

Visit Mike Veny's mental health blog, at http://www.TransformingStigma.Com/blog