May 6 to 12 marks the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme focuses on the healing power of compassion.
What is compassion?
The word “compassion” comes from Latin om- and pati, meaning “to bear, suffer.” It goes beyond empathy by combining understanding with a willingness to act. It moves people to alleviate and prevent the physical, mental, or emotional pains of others and themselves.
Paul Gilbert, a British clinical psychologist and founder of compassion focused therapy, describes compassion as having two parts:
- Engagement: Turning toward pain and suffering.
- Alleviation: Taking action to relieve pain and suffering.
Gilbert writes, “Compassion calls upon us to engage with suffering by being sensitive and open to it, while also generating the feelings of kindness, affiliative connection and warmth that can soothe and alleviate suffering.” (Gilbert and Choden, p. 156, 2014)
Compassion often comes in one of two forms, either directed toward other people, or it may be directed toward yourself (self-compassion).
Why is compassion important?
Humans were born to connect. In times of difficulties, challenges, and lows, if we respond to ourselves and others with kindness, acceptance, flexibility, and love we can navigate life with more strength and resiliency.
Compassion can look like many things:
- Being sensitive to the suffering of others.
- Speaking with kindness.
- Listening without judgment.
- Offering to help.
- Expressing gratitude and appreciation.
- Setting boundaries.
- Accepting our own mistakes.
- Being patient.
- Volunteering.
- Turning toward difficult emotions with kindness.
Benefits of compassion include:
- Enhanced emotional health and well-being.
- Helps regulate stress response.
- Strengthened interpersonal relationships.
- Encourages open-mindedness and increases psychological flexibility to adapt to challenges more easily.
- Increased resiliency during times of stress.
Ways to build a more compassionate mindset:
Compassion is like a muscle that can be strengthened with relevant exercises such as meditation, relaxation, journaling, gratitude, and self-reflection.
Remember that compassion is contagious. Compassion often flourishes when people feel connected to one another. When individuals experience and witness acts of kindness, it inspires a ripple effect across the community.
How can you act on compassion today?
CPA Assist provides confidential counselling services and 24/7 crisis support to Alberta and Saskatchewan CPAs, candidates, and their immediate families. To book an appointment through CPA Assist, call 1-855-596-4222 or email cpaforbes@telus.net.
