Mental Health Disorders are more common than previously thought. About half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime. Conversely, millions more will remain undiagnosed due to shame, fear, or lack of access to mental health resources. The 2020 Pandemic exacerbated a preexisting shortage of mental health … Continue reading Mental Health: Facts and Myths
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Toxic Stress
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (Ages 0-17), such as neglect and experiencing or witnessing violence. ACEs can cause Toxic Stress and have lasting effects on physical health and mental well-being into adulthood. The CDC-Kaiser Permanente adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study between 1995 … Continue reading Adverse Childhood Experiences and Toxic Stress
Brené Brown: Leader, Pioneer, and Researcher
A prominent figure during Women’s History Month, as well as in the field of counseling, is Brené Brown, a PhD in Social Work from the University of Houston in 2002. She is well known as a mental health pioneer and shame researcher who studies human connection -the power and nature of vulnerability, courage, and empathy, … Continue reading Brené Brown: Leader, Pioneer, and Researcher
Black Mental Health Literature
As a white, female mental health counselor in-training, it is my duty to continue building upon my cultural competency. This can include my being mindful of my whiteness, the privilege that comes with it, and power differentials that can result from this privilege. Additionally, to build competency, I often read books written for people of … Continue reading Black Mental Health Literature
New Year, New You? The Power of Starting Fresh
Aside from setting resolutions, it is common to have the desire to reset, start over, or have a "fresh start" around the beginning of a new year. Harnessing this desire, or motivation, can be helpful in meeting and maintaining life goals throughout the new year. THE FRESH START EFFECT Picture This: It's the weekend, you're … Continue reading New Year, New You? The Power of Starting Fresh
