At the end of October, with all of the spooky themes and Halloween fun, it seemed like a good time to talk about dreams, nightmares, and how sleep plays into our mental health. It is generally recommended that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. During the time we are asleep, […]
Beginning in 1992, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated October 10th as “World Mental Health Day.” As with many prevention efforts, a unique theme or focus is chosen each year. Past themes have ranged from broader measures such as inclusion and equality to more focused topics such as young people and mental health, mental health […]
Suicide Prevention Month comes with a lot of public health information on suicide prevention as well as statistics and education about new resources aimed at reducing the incidence of suicide. However, despite best efforts, sometimes we still lose people. As the twelfth leading cause of death in the general population, the second for people aged 10-14 and […]
I don’t know who determined that self-care awareness month would be September, but it was a great call. September is when we go back to school. September is when we are in transition between summer and school schedules. September is when we face whether we are adjusting well to the change in busyness, focus, and […]
The media-driven image of a student going off to college is often one of happiness, even elation, leaving home to make new friends and have wonderful experiences. However, what we know to be true is many college students struggle, at least to some degree, with the transition to college. In addition to homesickness, many students simply […]
The biggest challenges in any person’s life often happen under the heading of one word: change. Many of us find comfort in being creatures of habit, finding routine, and knowing what to expect. Even the experience of “positive stress” can come with welcome changes such as starting a new exciting job, getting married, or even […]
Summer, particularly for those whose lives are impacted by the school calendar, holds the hopeful promise of rest. Even with an obligation here or there, we often hope summer is different somehow in terms of fun, space to breathe, the chance to travel, rest, catch up, or whatever else may feel beyond our reach during […]
Summer is a time when many people feel a little bit better simply because we get some extra sunlight, maybe a vacation, and some great outdoor options. But summer can also present some challenges for our well-being. For those who may be feeling a little “blah” this summer, here are five summer-specific wellness tips that […]
While National Minority Health Awareness Month is in April, we can explore a specific extension of that in July through National Minority (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month! Why the Distinction? BIPOC groups have long been subject to bias and racial inequality in medical care, training, and awareness by providers of symptom presentation. And, while it […]
June is a fantastic month. It is the host to many weddings, outdoor events, and summer nights before things get too sweltering in July and August. For this reason, June is also a great month to talk about exercise. Given how comfortable it is outside, maybe we’ll all get a few more steps in! The […]