Happiness challenge

This is a recent email message from John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Counseling at Phyllis J Washington College of Education, who offers an opportunity to participate in the "Montana Happiness Challenge":

As a transition out of Suicide Prevention Month (September), I’m promoting a social media project that we’re calling the “Montana Happiness Challenge.” The Montana Happiness Challenge consists of 20-weeks of evidence-based happiness activities that people can use for themselves, with friends or family, in schools, in the workplace, through community agencies, etc. The first week’s activity—which started October 1—is titled “Music, Mood, and Meaning.”

The purpose of this project is to empower anyone and everyone to use happiness-based strategies to complement traditional suicide prevention. It’s free, and we’re encouraging anyone who’s interested to try out one or more of the weekly happiness activities. . . and, if they so desire, to share their experiences via social media.

For a description of the project and the 20-week calendar, go to the “Happiness Challenge” page on the Montana Happiness Project website: https://montanahappinessproject.com/the-happiness-challenge

If you want to get started (week 1 is underway!), you can go to a description of the first activity/assignment on my blog: https://johnsommersflanagan.com/2023/10/01/music-mood-and-meaning/

For those of you who are into any social media platform (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc.), I encourage you to search out, follow, like, and share our happiness content and your experiences (#MHPHappinessChallenge and #MontanaHappiness hashtags) to whatever extent you can. Again, this is free. Our purpose is to spread a little happiness. Consider finding a buddy (or going solo) and trying out some or all of the activities.

I should also note that we’re not doing toxic positivity; we believe there are times and places to go deep into pain, grief, oppression, and other difficult life experiences. However, we also believe many people don’t know enough about evidence-based happiness practices, and so we’re sharing and sharing as much as we can manage.
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Thanks for reading and for considering the chance to participate.
Sincerely,
John SF
John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D., Professor
Pronouns: he/his/him
Department of Counseling
PHYLLIS J. WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
ED 201  |   Missoula, Montana
t: (406) 721-6367 (cell)  |  e: [email protected]
U N I V E R S I T Y  O F  M O N T A N A
The University of Montana acknowledges that we are in the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispel people. We honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.
Author of Suicide Assessment and Treatment Planning: A Strengths-Based Approach and eight other books.
Follow my blog at: https://johnsommersflanagan.com/