Tag: mental health

Social Work for Social Good: Celebrating National Social Work Month

Thanks in part to social workers, the stigma of mental health illness has lessened over the years, and there is open and honest dialogue around mental health, opening the door for the field of mental health treatment. The fields of social work and therapy are inextricably linked, and we wouldn’t be able to serve our community without the dedication and innovation of social workers. 

Coping with Caregiver Stress: Self-care for Caregivers

Caring for an aging, disabled, or chronically ill loved one is a reality that many people face. Often, caregivers tend to live with chronically elevated stress levels and may neglect their own self-care – factors that raise the risk for negative impacts on both emotional and physical wellbeing. So it’s vitally important that caregivers take the time to also care for themselves. There are resources and strategies you can use to ensure you’re giving yourself the same care and attention you give your loved one. 

Caring for Your Mental Health Is Like Learning to Swim

Caring for our mental health is similar to learning to swim. There are times when we experience feelings of delight, contentment, peace, and relaxation – and other times when we find ourselves in a challenging, distressing, or fearful situation. Taking care of our mental health is much like processing what’s facing us and learning how to swim through it.

Gift Yourself a Different Kind of Holiday – With Less Stress and More Ease

The holiday season is in full swing, which welcomes celebrations, traditions, family, and fun. Yet for many people it can also bring stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and over-indulgence. The demands of the holiday season can pile on and leave us feeling burned out, exhausted, and falling short of expectations. But it doesn’t have to be this way. After all, we’re in charge of how we approach the holidays. So what if we re-evaluated how we celebrate the holiday season to prioritize our health – and created a holiday season with less stress and more ease?

Recognizing Mental Health Challenges in Military Families

This Veteran’s Day, we thank and honor all who have selflessly served to protect our country and defend our freedom. We also take this time to recognize and highlight the unique stressors affecting service members and their families. Pre-deployment training and preparation, deployment, as well as reintegration can affect not only the service member, but his/her spouse and family. Knowing how to support yourself and your loved ones can seem daunting, but we are here to help.

October Is a Time to Focus on Mental Health

October is a time for change – the air gets chilly, we unpack our sweaters, and we start looking ahead to the holidays. It is also a good time to take a pause and think about our well-being both mentally and physically. Is there anything that needs our attention? Are there habits or behaviors we should adjust to ensure we’re healthy and thriving? This October, Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day, and World Mental Health Day all dovetail to promote the importance of mental health screenings while also reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions.

5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

woman getting fresh air, meditating, outdoors

In our busy lives, we all have moments where we feel like our mental health might be suffering. Especially given the ongoing experience with pandemic living, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we wish to remind you of 5 manageable ways to boost your mental health.

Why Take a Mental Health Day?

While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling physically unwell, what’s not as common – but should be – is taking a mental health day when you are feeling mentally and emotionally unwell. The truth is, taking a mental health day from work or school can be extremely important for your overall well-being. It can help to improve your mood, avoid burnout, get some much-needed rest, and rejuvenate yourself so you can tackle “real life” once again.

The Power of Vulnerability

By its very definition, vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Even when we try to control every aspect of our every day, we will be met with unexpected situations that require us to respond – with no script and no guarantee of perfection. We can try to avoid being vulnerable, or we can choose to face the uncertainties of life head-on, knowing that vulnerability often leads to greater intimacy, self-worth, and compassion for ourselves and others.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Shines a Light on Mental Health

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. One way we can mark the occasion this year is to educate ourselves on the mental and emotional impact of living with a disability. Adults with disabilities report experiencing depression and mental distress almost five times more often than adults without disabilities. Frequent mental stress is often linked with poor health habits that can lead to chronic disease and other poor health outcomes.

Holi Reflections: Mental Health Challenges in the South Asian Community

South Asian women celebrating Holi

Mental health challenges have a long history of stigma and shame in South Asian culture which often means that many individuals do not seek out professional support. Influences such as community and family expectations, along with cultural traditions can make it difficult to talk about mental health, let alone seek out help. 

Health Implications on Women Caused by Pandemic Stress

stressed working mom

Parents have unquestionably been hit hard by the pandemic. Between school closures and virtual learning, many parents have assumed the role of teacher on top of their usual household obligations and adjusting to working from home. And on top of that, parents are helping their children navigate their fear, anxiety, and depression around COVID and tumultuous societal events.