Just over a year ago, I sat at our prevention conference, mouth agape at the sheer ambition of the 988 plan. The federal government, in partnership with the states, was planning to launch a nationwide system of crisis intervention for mental health, suicide, and substance use in the summer of 2022. The goals were strategic, […]
This year’s Meeting of the Minds conference in Kansas City had an air of gratitude and celebration. After years of persevering through the pandemic, determining whether or not to have the conference, changing up the format, finding a way forward online, or gathering with safety protocols in place, we have fully found our way back […]
Intense news and weather reports are nothing new to our experience. However, in the past couple of weeks, we have encountered some particularly violent events including tornadoes that have wiped out portions of entire towns and a devastating school shooting in Nashville. One challenging mental health aspect of these events is the increasingly transparent media […]
As is common in history classrooms, sometimes we don’t always learn a complete representation of all the pioneers who contributed to a particular subject or science. This trend holds true in mental health where names like Freud, Pavlov, Bandura, and Maslow lead the way in many of our psychology and education classes. While these men […]
“If your car isn’t working you would take it to the mechanic.” “Mental health care is just like physical healthcare. Take care of your body and your mind.” “Going to a therapist isn’t weakness, it’s a sign of strength.” Ever heard any of these? Me too. And, as a therapist, I believe them wholeheartedly. But, […]
Since February includes Valentine’s Day, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves about the qualities of healthy and unhealthy relationships. However, did you also know that February is also host to a number of other relationship-oriented holidays? Yes, in addition to Valentine’s Day, this month also includes International Friendship Month, National Weddings Month, […]
Hello January with your cold, long days and less light than we are used to. Are you over yet?! Many people start the calendar year with a lot of hope for a fresh start, only to hit what feels like quicksand when it comes to motivation and activity. You may have heard the mental health […]
We live in a fast-paced society that often glorifies “hustle culture.” This pressure to accomplish and perform exists alongside advances in technology that keep us perpetually dialed into an awareness of things to do, information to process, or the sense that we “miss out by unplugging.” For collegiate staff and students, this experience can be […]
Since the early 2010’s, when the calendar changes, there are a trend of people on social media announcing a “Dry January.” From hashtags to reels, stories of success or quick relapse, these people let us in on their journey to remove alcohol consumption from their routine for the first month of the year. Why Dry […]
The other day, Academy-award-winning actress and philanthropist Viola Davis shared an image by @haleydrewthis on Instagram. In the image, an anthropomorphized scribble with legs, arms, and wide eyes is labeled “my anxiety.” In the adjacent picture, it is the same scribble but with Christmas lights, labeled “my anxiety in December.” The picture is adorable but, […]