Category Archives: Mental Health

When the World is Hurting: Talking to your Children about War & Violence

0 comments Anxiety, Children's Mental Health, Family, Grief, Healthy Living, Mental Health, Parenting , , , , , ,

Our Children Have Questions A few days ago, my son peppered me with questions – “Mom, what’s happening? Are we going to have World War III? Is Russia going to bomb us? Are we safe?” He was obviously concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rightfully so. Kids at school have been talking, whispering their fears to their friends. Violent images of the war flood the media. Radio stations cover the tragic events. We cannot shield our children from life’s perils despite our best efforts. So, how do we discuss such sensitive topics with our children? TEN tips for talking […]

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What’s Your Word: the 2022 Edition

1 comment Mental Health, Self-Care , , , , , , ,

In the aftermath of years 2020 and 2021, I am, admittedly, a bit hesitant to proclaim my word for 2022. Despite my apprehension, I choose to push forward for I have always loved what a new year symbolizes – the audacity to hope, the pursuit of more, and the promise of a fresh start. My word for 2022 is S-T-R-E-T-C-H Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines stretch, the verb, in these ways: To extend or expand To reach out To amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper limits Stretch, in noun form, is defined as “an exercise of something (such as the understanding […]

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Enduring Grief: The Price We Pay for Love

1 comment Grief, Mental Health , , , , , ,

Grief: A Human Experience To grieve is to endure pain and loss. To grieve is to suffer. To grieve is to have loved. Ultimately, to grieve is to be human. Helen Keller once said, “We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world – the company of those who have known suffering.” We will all experience grief – the children we never birthed, the death of a dream, the life that never materialized, the relationship that ended, the job we lost, or a trauma endured.  Grief is much more than the death of a […]

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When It’s Not Most Wonderful Time of the Year

0 comments Mental Health, Self-Care , , , , , , , , , ,

Come November and we begin to hear Andy Williams song, “It’s most the wonderful time of the year.” Except it isn’t. For so many, the holiday season engenders feelings of loneliness and stress. Less love, holiday parties, and family gatherings and more debt, family drama, and grief and loss. And more focus on who and what is missing and all that is wrong rather than the joy of the holiday season and all that is right. Ever felt this way? If so, it could be the holiday blues. Got a Case of the Holiday Blues? The holiday blues is a […]

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Accessing Mental Health Services: The College Edition

0 comments Mental Health, Parenting, Schools , , , , , , , ,

Mental Illness Statistics What we already know according to the National Institute of Mental Health: 1 in 5 adults in the United States live with a mental disorder and those mental disorders range in severity from mild to moderate to severe Young adults ages 18 – 25 years have the highest prevalence of any mental illness at 29.4% Only 38.9% of adults 18 – 25 years with any mental disorder received mental health services compared to 45.4% of adults ages 26 – 49 with any mental disorder Young adults ages 18 – 25 years have the highest prevalence of serious […]

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Changing the Conversation Around Mental Health & Mental Illness

0 comments Health, Mental Health , , , ,

Mental Health Awareness Month As the last day of May quickly approaches, bringing with it an end to Mental Health Awareness month, I have been reflecting on what we need to do to promote positive mental health and destigmatize mental illness in this country. We need to incorporate mental health into the fabric of our lives, improve access to preventative mental health services and treatment, and eliminate stigma. Distinguishing Mental Health and Mental Illness Mental health and mental illness, terms often used interchangeably, are quite different. We ALL have mental health, and we must all nurture, cultivate, and protect it. […]

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