According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die by suicide more than 3x as often as women. In fact, white males accounted for 69.67% of suicide deaths in 2018. Many men would benefit greatly from therapy for suicidal thoughts. Those are startling statistics. But what’s the reason behind these numbers? Well, according to a recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey, the number of men who seek treatment for depression is far lower than ...read more
De-stigmatizing Mental Health Therapy for BIPOC
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can and do affect people of all ages, economic backgrounds, and nationalities. And yet, many black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) do not often seek the help of mental health professionals. In fact, the underutilization of mental health services by BIPOC is one of the most persistent health disparities. What are some of the reasons or causes for this underutilization of mental health services and why should there be a movement towards ...read more
National Counseling Awareness Month
April is National Counseling Awareness Month, and so I thought it would be a good idea to take this time to talk a little about mental health and the benefits of seeking treatment for whatever issues you may be facing. When we talk about mental health, we are talking about our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Our mental health not only affects how we feel but also how we think and behave as well as handle stress and make decisions. Mental Health Statistics Just how common are ...read more
Mental Health Habits for 2021
We live in a society that seems obsessed with physical health and weight loss. A majority of people have tried one or more diets to lose weight. People join gyms, juice, and take supplements, all in an effort to optimize their physical health. Sadly, most people don’t give their mental health a second thought, let alone intentionally practice mental health habits. The problem is, no matter how good you look in a bathing suit or how “ripped” you may be, or how low your cholesterol is if you ...read more
How to Turn a Move into More Than Just a Physical Fresh Start
There are plenty of reasons why people move. Maybe you want a nicer house. Maybe you need to be closer to your job. Maybe you want to be closer to family. While most can identify their specific reasons for moving, many chose to focus only on the physical nature of the move. This means they are missing a great opportunity to use this major life transition as a time of renewal, a fresh start. You can piggyback off this life shift and make some lifestyle changes that will benefit you for years to ...read more
Does Therapy for “Baby Blues” Work?
Having a baby is one of the most amazing and awesome events in a person’s life. Babies bring joy and laughter into the house. But the reality is, they also bring sleepless nights and inevitable and irreversible change. Having a baby also brings changes to a woman’s body. During pregnancy and right after, a woman will experience shifts in her hormones. This may cause her to feel some depression and anxiety. This is a perfectly natural response to the event and is called having the “baby blues.” ...read more
Can Botox Really Improve Mental Health? Botox for Depression Treatment
It is estimated that over 16 million adults in the United States suffer from at least one major depressive episode each year. If you are in this group, you may have tried different treatments to help relieve your depression symptoms. The two most common treatments for depression are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and prescription anti-depressants. But new research is suggesting that Botox may also be an effective treatment for depression. Using Botox for depression sounds taboo, but may ...read more
How Social Media Can Actually be Good for Our Mental Health
Whenever there is a discussion about social media and mental health, there is generally a negative association. Many studies now have pointed to individuals developing depression or anxiety as a result of time spent on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. But is this a full picture? There is actually another side to the coin that suggests social media can actually be good for some people’s mental health. The key is to be a mindful social media user. Social Media Keeps Us ...read more
Is it Safe to Go Back to In-Person Therapy Sessions?
Just a few short months ago, none of us could have imagined how our lives would change at the onset of the Corona Virus. Now, several months into a global pandemic and resulting global quarantine, the world is slowly starting to open back up. But a lot of people wonder how long it will take before things fully return to normal. And many now wonder if it's safe to go back into in-person therapy? This is an interesting question and dilemma, because now more than ever, people need to be able ...read more
Communication Tips for Couples in Recovery
If you have found yourself in a troubled relationship, there is a very good chance you grew up with parents who argued and fought often. Your household was most likely filled with the sounds of angry voices, raised in an attempt to be heard or to simply drown out the other person. Your relationship would benefit from implementing these communication tips for couples. This means you had no role models for how to treat your partner or what effective communication looks or sounds like. And so, ...read more