
It was a different blend of “Coffee Tuesday”, where we witnessed from the heart testimonies about mental health, which gave pause to ponder, reflect and give thanks for what we have, but above all they made us think that EMPATHY is one of the most powerful virtues of humanity.
Our special guest was Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, an exceptional person who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of returning veterans and their families, providing sustainable water solutions to Southern California, and most especially, bringing awareness as well as improving mental health care for all, because as she herself commented during the conference, every year about 800,000 people die from this cause, while many others attempt suicide.
Along with the boxing family, the congresswoman stressed that the issue of mental health should be a priority not only for society but alsofor the government, and that is precisely why since 2000, she has promoted an initiative called Mental Health Awareness week, where she seeks to deal with the issues of loneliness, depression anger, fear, alcoholism, and promote physical exercise and friendship as tonics of help.
She added that the pandemic has been an atypical time that has made us reflect and understand that there may be many ways in which people suffer during this stressful time, but people who help others, diversity and togetherness is something in which we ALL agree and support.
Grace also commented that the matter of suicide is a tragedy that affects a family, a community and an entire country and that it has searing, lasting consequences for those close to the victim, understanding that suicide does not respect ages and is the second cause of death. Among young people aged 15 to 29, she even commented that studies have revealed that one in three young people think about suicide, which is why the paramount importance of taking aid programs to all schools and areas of the country is so vital, because only through education and awareness we can triumph in this constant and ongoing struggle.
For Congresswoman Napolitano, one of the goals she has in Congress is to bring the message to all communities that mental health is something we should NOT be ashamed of. On the contrary, it is something so natural that it happens to all of us in any moment of our lives. Grace Napolitano promised to continue working on proposals and programs that also include migrants and refugees where help, information and, above all, education on this issue can be provided.
Finally, she thanked in a very special way the President of the WBC, Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman and Jill Diamond, since their unwavering support in this initiative has been fundamental to reach more corners around the world.
Another of guest was the great former four times world champion Erik Morales, who now, as a Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico, expressed the urgent need to make visible a problem that afflicts hundreds of people, which out of shame don`t dare to ask for help and sometimes this silence has a fatal outcome.
He also added that one of the proposals he has is that physical education be compulsory for all children and young people because it has been shown that sport not only helps physical but also emotional well-being, as one of the best therapies to help those who are going through a bad patch.
The testimony of former champion Irma Garcia, moved everyone present because as never before she opened her heart and spoke about her experience when a few months ago she was infected with Covid-19, a time that she herself described as a nightmare hell, because unfortunately, it led to the contagion of her parents, a situation that took her to the limit of her emotions, because all the time she thought about the fragility of life, as her parents were extremely delicate and the TERROR of losing them was something she could not bear.
She confessed that there was a moment when she was definitely blocked, and fear gripped her, but that was when she understood the tragedy of mortality in many families. So, she determined and energized herself to take responsibility for her health and that of her parents and take the treatment strictly and thus be able to move forward.
Today, a few months after having overcome the virus and being able to say that she and her family are survivors, Irma confessed that she suffered episodes of anxiety and that without psychological help she would not have been able to have achieved this. At this point. She underlined that it`sURGENT to have aid and prevention programs that help us heal and understand that nothing is stronger than us, who are resilient by nature.
Miguel Berchelt, our beloved former world champion spoke about how important it is that we learn to listen and read and understand others and of course to ourselves, because sometimes we can see ourselves very well on the outside and in turmoil inside. Channeling young people to sport is undoubtedly a way to save the integrity of any human being.
He explained that today more than ever he recognizes and appreciates the importance of boxers having an integral team by their side that helps them in their growth not only physically but also emotionally, because sometimes a defeat can fall very badly in the life of a boxer.
Grateful to all the guests and especially for frankly sharing their experiences, the President of the WBC said that the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we live, which has generated many disorders due to the new challenges. We have had to face each other; however, he was emphatic when he said that being in front of this enemy has made us, reinvent ourselves, resurface amid so much adversity and again realize that the world is better when we unite, standing together.
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