It’s easy to see why talking about our mental health may not be easy. Research shows that public stigma, or society’s negative attitudes and behaviors surrounding mental health, and self-stigma, … Read more
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I became a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor to address the mental health stigma that exists among Black men and to share what I learned with the faith-based community … Read more
Mental health is a very important topic that needs to be talked about more often. Mental health challenges are more prevalent in our society now than ever before. In fact, research shows that almost one in five U.S. adults live with … Read more
En noviembre de 2011 obtuve mi certificación como rescatista en Primeros Auxilios para la Salud Mental. Me impresionó mucho todo lo que aprendí, por lo que asistí a otra capacitación … Read more
In November 2011, I became certified as a Mental Health First Aider. I was so impressed with what I learned, I attended another training the following January – I wanted to be sure I absorbed everything. On the day of the second training, I … Read more
Our company began its journey providing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in 2018, after noticing an increase in employees seeking help from their managers and the company during personal … Read more
Mental health has always been a focus in my life, starting with my own struggles as an adolescent. As such, I was honored when my school district asked me, as … Read more
In December 2020, I took a Youth Mental Health First Aid class. This training teaches parents, teachers and other adults how to support young people with mental health challenges, including how to use … Read more
Being a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor fits perfectly with where I’m at personally and professionally. Working in the largest psychiatric hospital in Texas – with a staff of more than 900 – I see how many people really, truly care about other people, but don’t know what else they can do on … Read more
“I didn’t want to go to the [Mental Health First Aid] training, but I did. I never thought I would use any of the information or remember it, but I did shortly … Read more
Taking Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, being a First Aider, has changed me. I’ve been with Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health (SYBH) for 25 years. SYBH provides services to individuals and families who are … Read more
How do you help someone who is struggling? How do you help them without making assumptions about what they are going through, and without making it worse? These are all questions that I learned the answers to during the teen Mental Health First Aid … Read more
Brandon was an outgoing, fun-loving and enjoyable co-worker whose life ended abruptly after a night of heavy drinking. His death had a profound impact on our staff as we learned he had been living with a mental … Read more
As Executive Director of CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, I feel it is vital to continue to grow with our staff and volunteers, so I planned Youth Mental Health First Aid … Read more
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and especially after the events of the past 12-plus months, it’s crucial that we equip ourselves with strategies and tools to take care of … Read more
From the moment our eyes open in the morning to the moment we go to sleep, our brains are flooded with information. We read news articles; we listen to podcasts, … Read more
The past year has been anything but ordinary – the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, natural disasters and more have tested our resilience. While it can be difficult to remain hopeful … Read more
It’s no secret that staying active benefits your long-term physical health, but many probably don’t think about the mental health benefits of moving your body. Talking about exercising can elicit … Read more
The events of the past year and the COVID-19 pandemic have changed how we shop, socialize, learn, and work. And while some of us are working from home and some … Read more
We’ve all been there: the evening is winding down, you’re finishing just one more show before you get ready to sleep. You do your nighttime routine, relax before bed, and … Read more
Recent data show that we are actually working more now than before the COVID-19 pandemic and that productivity increased 47% in 2020. Work can be stressful. Now that so many … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a range of emotions, including anxiety, grief, uncertainty and sadness. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 40% of U.S. … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new “normal” that is nearly unrecognizable for many of us. Gone is the hustle and bustle of life and simple things like running errands, … Read more
Whether you’re a new parent or your youngest child is preparing to graduate high school, the effects of COVID-19 are complicating day-to-day life. A year of everyday life, plus the … Read more
Being a teen comes with exciting milestones that double as challenges. For all the highs that come with getting a driver’s license or acing that difficult test, there are lows that come with growing up in a rapidly changing world being shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and distance learning.
When you think about mental health, what comes to mind? Maybe you think about how you feel right now or remember a time when you felt anxious. Some people may … Read more
No one predicted the widespread impact COVID-19 has had on day-to-day life — life events were put on hold, vacations postponed, and we’re spending more time at home than we … Read more
There isn’t much the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t impacted – it’s affected how we interact with each other, where and how we work, how we celebrate life events, and most importantly, … Read more
Every year, we try to find a word to encompass the past 12 months, and there were some to be expected: coronavirus, pandemic, and lockdown. But the one we chose … Read more
The end of 2020 is approaching, and many of us won’t be too sad to see this tumultuous year go. The COVID-19 pandemic has colored the year, impacting people across … Read more
On April 11, 2019, Puerto Rico awoke to the tragic news that a daughter had hammered her 89-year-old mother with Alzheimer’s Disease to death. The 54-year-old daughter presented signs of … Read more
As the holidays quickly approach, it’s clear this year is a little different from past holiday seasons – we’re still adjusting to a “new normal” because of COVID-19. Limited social … Read more
It is that time of year again. The air is crisp; 6 p.m. looks like midnight; and it feels difficult to adjust. Many of us can relate – we have … Read more
The holiday season is often a time of year for social activities, holiday shopping, and quality time with loved ones. This year, however, COVID-19 threatens to make those activities more … Read more
As we approach the end of the year, it’s important to stay grateful despite the stress and uncertainty we have all faced. Being grateful and showing gratitude are more than … Read more
“It was crushing to try to manage it all by myself,” Cera Flynn shared in a recent Cleveland Clinic article. “When you’re in quarantine, you’re limited. My mom and other … Read more
When thinking about trauma, many of us immediately think about mass traumatic events like terrorist attacks, mass shootings, torture, combat, or severe weather events. Trauma includes these things, but also … Read more
There are times in life where many of us could use some reassurance. We may need reassurance when making a difficult decision, facing a new challenge, or dealing with a … Read more
In times of need, we all need someone to turn to. Talking with someone who really listens and supports us can make us feel encouraged and reassured that things will … Read more
We spend one-third of our adult lives at work, and the extra stressors and challenges that often come with a job can negatively impact mental health. Left unchecked, they can … Read more
Mental health and well-being are key to a healthy, productive workforce. But each year, almost one in five American adults experiences a mental health disorder that impacts them at home … Read more
COVID-19 is impacting people of all ages across the country, including children and youth. Kids are not attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities, or seeing their friends in the same … Read more
Starting a new school year is an exciting time but can also be a stressful one. Preparing for a new grade level, joining a new classroom and making new friends … Read more
We often talk about mental health challenges as if they’re only faced by adults. However, youth and young adults also face mental health challenges, and their experiences will be different … Read more
Our community is experiencing stressors like we haven’t seen in our lifetime. — and we can become stronger as a result. As we collectively grapple to get the pandemic under … Read more
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also … Read more
“Really, another mental health program?” “We all know none of these make any difference anyways.” These were the common grumbles of my Jefferson High School (JHS) classmates and me as … Read more
Everyone feels anxious or sad sometimes, but it’s important to be able to recognize when your feelings become overwhelming and more than a temporary experience so you can get the … Read more
