Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth” and marks a very important day in American history. This is the day federal troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 and took control to ensure all slaves were freed. Juneteenth is thought to be the longest-running African American holiday. It became an official federal holiday on June 17, 2021. While slavery was abolished over 250...[ read more ]
Living with a disability brings with its daily challenges. Sometimes those challenges can feel overwhelming and even demoralizing.Because of this, it is common for people with disabilities to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This is particularly true for children and teenagers who, according to researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago, are five times...[ read more ]
Mental health Awareness Week falls between May 10th and May 16th. The global initiative began as a way to start conversations about a topic that still retains much stigma.According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness, with 1 in 25 living with a serious mental illness. If you or a loved one have...[ read more ]
These days, many people focus on their physical health. But few give much attention, if any, to their mental health.What does mental health refer to? Mental health describes a person’s overall psychological health and well-being. It has much to do with the way you feel about yourself, your ability to manage your emotions, how you deal with challenges and the...[ read more ]
Emotional abuse is not as easy to spot as physical abuse, but oftentimes its effects can be just as traumatic. Emotional abuse can involve a wide range of tactics, including gaslighting, shaming and manipulation. All of these are intended to leave the victim feeling confused, powerless and hopeless.Typically people suffer from long-term or short-term emotional abuse, and depending on the...[ read more ]
Depression is a complex mental health issue that varies widely between individuals. This is why it can be difficult for some people to recognize what may be a situational discomfort that may pass on its own, and what may be more serious and require professional help.The Difference Between Mild and Serious Mental Health IssuesIn order to measure the seriousness of...[ read more ]
There is an epidemic in this country of mental health crises. At the same time, we also have a lack of crisis services, which has led to police officers acting as first responders to many mental health crises across the nation.The response to this epidemic from many communities has been to develop a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program to improve...[ read more ]
The relationship between faith and mental health is a complex one. Without question, an individual’s personal belief system is a profound way to cope with life’s challenges and adversities.Belief in a higher power is essential to a person’s mental health and overall well-being. But if someone has a strong religious faith or spiritual life, does that mean they can’t also...[ read more ]
There are times when a person is diagnosed with a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Other times, someone might be diagnosed as having a substance abuse issue. When someone has both a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue, we call it a dual diagnosis.How Does Dual Diagnosis Develop?Often, addictive behaviors are a result of someone...[ read more ]
Not since the great depression have so many people collectively been dealing with financial hardship. The Covid pandemic locked down nations and caused people to lose their livelihoods. It is not surprising, then, that we are also seeing increases in the rates of depression.There have been other studies that also linked depression and anxiety with financial burdens. In fact, this...[ read more ]