“Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority” is the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma. The day was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of...
With the Fall officially upon us, October brings a change in seasons and a new array of impactful mental health awareness events. Here’s a quick breakdown of noteworthy initiatives celebrated within the behavioral health community, including resources that mental health professionals can use to support...
It’s well known by now that many young children and teens have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation reached such a critical juncture, that the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a state of emergency due to the intensifying challenges around child and adolescent mental...
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that one in 14 Americans report having a substance use disorder. Compounding this incidence rate is the reluctance to seek treatment based on the stigma associated with having substance use issues. Healthcare workers have a call to action to...
While the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the discussion around mental health awareness, the conversation is especially nuanced when it comes to communities of color. For this very reason, our focus shifts to the individualized mental health challenges that underrepresented populations in America are facing throughout...
The month of July is set aside to observe Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, it feels more important than ever to shine a light on the diverse needs of this underrepresented community due to the ongoing mental health crisis...
The pandemic especially impacted the lives of our healthcare workers, who were expected to go out when everyone else was expected to stay inside and socially and physically distance themselves from the rest of the world. Most of us attempted to cope with the fear...
For those outside of the military, Memorial Day is oftentimes referred to as the “unofficial start to summer.” The holiday weekend conjures up visions of barbeques, beach trips, and time off with family and friends. Yet, for veterans and their loved ones, this weekend may...
May 15-21 is National EMS Week. This annual celebration was first instituted in 1974 by President Gerald Ford to honor the hard work and sacrifice that paramedics, EMTs and the entire EMS workforce offer to communities all around the United States. This awareness week highlights...
Each May, we celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Week to underscore the importance of nurturing positive mental health among our nation’s youth. This year, from May 1st-7th, the awareness week will emphasize the vital importance of building strong emotional health for children’s long-term development and...
In October 2020, a ground-breaking study was published online that sought to address the long-term effects of severe black box warnings on antidepressants. These warnings are familiar to anyone who has ever taken antidepressants or discussed them with a doctor or mental health clinician. These black...
Experts fear a “second pandemic” is sweeping the nation as the urgent need for mental health counseling continues to exponentially grow. COVID-19 created a sense of general uncertainty, spurred major financial adjustments, created a healthcare crisis, and spurred social isolation from government mandated measures. Not...
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve been hearing about the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on our collective mental health. This crisis has become so dire that in his first State of the Union address, President Biden took the time to highlight the...
With the Winter Olympics underway in Beijing, athletes from around the world are readying themselves to perform at their best. While the opening ceremony, medal counts, and displays of athleticism in snow and ice are typically the main topics of conversation, these Winter games also...
Healthcare disparities by race and ethnicity impact almost every aspect of seeking and obtaining health care. These discrepancies in physical healthcare are apparent in notable ways, such as in diagnosis and mortality rates for life-threatening cancers, and deadly chronic conditions such as diabetes and high...
40% of LGBTQ youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year. Over half of transgender and non-binary youth have considered suicide, and 20% have attempted it. The Trevor Project provides evidence-based support for LGBTQ youth through crisis services, peer support, advocacy and education. The organization...
Part Four in a Series An interesting aspect of living in the United States is the incredible variety of religious and cultural traditions practiced by our 328.2 million neighbors. As our country has evolved, distinct customs have developed alongside it, creating new cultural traditions and religious...
Part Three in a Series Within the United States, roughly 5.6% of the population identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. Despite being a relatively small population within the United States, the LGBTQ community is vastly overrepresented when it comes to mental and behavioral health...
Part Two in a Series When they sign up for active duty, military members know that they’re putting everything on the line to protect their country. But what they can not prepare for is the impact their service will have on their own mental health. For...
First in a Series Since the beginning of 2020, we’ve seen the unemployment rate reach a staggering 14.8%. The resulting economic strain hasn’t just affected unemployment – it’s crept across almost every facet of our lives, including our access to healthcare. Many of the individuals experiencing...
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted much more than the physical health of people who have the virus. It has also impacted the mental health of many people, including those who are dealing with the illness, those who have lost a loved one, caregivers, and people...
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity to grow behavioral health services in communities across the United States. Now, the behavioral health community must rise to the occasion. It is make or break time, and the world is watching. It's up to behavioral health providers...
The lives of refugees and immigrants often have unique experiences that can be traumatic for many. Egette Indelele, a child refugee who escaped the Rwandan genocide, founded Safe Haven in order to assist refugee and immigrant students and their families with mental health and mental...