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Self-Defense

Self-Defense

A person’s mental health affects how he/she perceives his/her surroundings and can impact his/her ability to both identify and respond to potentially threatening situations. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, individuals with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely 

Creating a Self-Care Routine

Creating a Self-Care Routine

Self-care involves a change in mindset rather than specific activities. By choosing yourself and prioritizing your needs, you can improve both your mental and physical health. To guide yourself in practicing self-care, think about what you loved about your day and what irritated you or 

Is Your Therapist Effective?

Is Your Therapist Effective?

The more you share with your therapist, the better he/she can understand you and help you reach your goals. Omitting facts or distorting the truth can make your treatment less effective. While being honest may not become easier, the process will grow more familiar. Arriving 

The Mental Health Benefits of Creativity

The Mental Health Benefits of Creativity

Qualities associated with creativity, including awareness, curiosity, engagement, focus, presence and self-expression, all contribute to overall life satisfaction. Being creative involves an openess to change and willingness to risk failure. It can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, increase positive emotions and lessen anger 

Talking About Mental Health

Talking About Mental Health

While the words used to discuss mental health are changing, it is important not to let a fear of saying the wrong thing stop you from asking someone how he/she is or prevent you from having conversations on the topic, which can contribute to silence 

Cognitive Reappraisal

Cognitive Reappraisal

Cognitive reappraisal allows individuals to reframe negative or stressful events in order to change their emotional responses. Research supports a link in youth between depression and maladaptive cognitive processes, including a diminished sense of competence, a low perception of control and negative attributional styles (i.e., 

Transition Planning For Youth Turning 18 Years Old

Transition Planning For Youth Turning 18 Years Old

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a major one even without the presence of mental and behavioral health issues. For youth with those conditions, a knowledge of health insurance, applicable Federal and state laws, school policies, self-advocacy and support systems is necessary. There can 

Inspiring Change

Inspiring Change

Quotations about depression and other mental health struggles, such as those below, can help individuals feel less alone and possibly even inspire them to seek treatment and/or find other ways to lead their best lives. A first step is accepting your diagnosis while not letting 

Making Memories

Making Memories

Depression can cause changes to memory, including deficits. A 2018 study published in Trends In Neuroscience found that depression not only caused it to be harder to recall specific, detailed memories, but also made it easier to access negative recollections and more difficult to create 

Managing ADHD

Managing ADHD

October is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month. ADHD is is one of the most common mental disorders among children, affecting 11 percent of school-aged youth. Symptoms continue into adulthood for more than three-quarters of those diagnosed with it; and a 2012 study published in the