Tag Archives: Mental Illness Education

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

March 6, 2022 0 comments Anxiety, Children's Mental Health, Family, Grief, Healthy Living, Mental Health, Parenting Birmingham Alabama, children, drleesha, Mental Health, mental health awareness, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist Dr. Leesha

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 […]

When It’s Not Most Wonderful Time of the Year

November 11, 2021 0 comments Mental Health, Self-Care Anxiety, Christmas, Depression, grief, holiday blues, holidays, Mental Health, mental health awareness, Mental Illness Education, seasonal depression, self-care Dr. Leesha

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 […]

Decoding ADHD

October 18, 2021 1 comment Uncategorized ADHD, Birmingham Alabama, education, Mental Health, mental health awareness, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist, student mental health Dr. Leesha

Dismantling ADHD Stereotypes Loud, bossy, bad, dumb, stupid, lazy – these are but a fraction of the destructive words erroneously used to describe children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. While a common childhood diagnosis, ADHD is often poorly understood. It’s more than kids with boundless energy, excessive talking, daydreaming, and forgetfulness. There is also low self-esteem, strained relationships with peers or co-workers, rejection sensitivity, mood dysregulation, poor time management, car accidents, and financial burdens. Many youth with ADHD face lifelong consequences, especially when their symptoms go untreated. According to the CDC, 9.4% of US children have […]

Accessing Mental Health Services: The College Edition

September 6, 2021 0 comments Mental Health, Parenting, Schools Birmingham Alabama, college mental health, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, drleesha, Mental Health, mental health awareness, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist, student mental health Dr. Leesha

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 […]

Worried & Praying? Struggles of the Anxious Christian

February 5, 2019 1 comment Anxiety, Faith, Mental Health Anxiety, Birmingham, Birmingham Alabama, Doubt, Dr. Leesha, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Faith, Fear, harvesting hope, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist Dr. Leesha

While I don’t remember the first time someone said this to me, I have certainly heard this saying many, many times and have spoken these words internally: “If you’re going to pray, don’t worry. If you’re going to worry, don’t pray.” So, what does this mean for the anxious Christian? Am I lacking faith if I worry? Does my worry dishonor God and His infinite wisdom and power? Am I making my problems bigger than my God? These are the questions that have plagued me, especially as I have grown closer to God and matured spiritually. I worry, too I […]

Jesus, Therapy, & Prozac: Pastors Need Help Too

August 29, 2018 0 comments Faith, Mental Health Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, Faith, harvesting hope, health, Mental Health, Mental Illness Education, Psychiatrist, special education Dr. Leesha

I had never heard his name until just a few days ago, but I now I can’t get his name or his heartbreaking story out of my head. I am overwhelmed by grief at the loss of this man’s life and at the unbearable pain that I imagine his wife, his 3 boys, and his church family now find themselves swallowed within. At the tender age of 30, Andrew Stoecklein, lead pastor at Inland Hills Church in Chino, California, died by suicide. Multiple news outlets report that he had struggled with depression and anxiety for the past several months and […]

Dr. Leesha | Psychiatrist, Therapist, and Parenting Expert