Maintaining Positive Mental Health during Displacement We can choose to be displaced from our home and separated from our family for school, employment and personal growth. Even when we make this choice there is a sadness and a sense of loss. However, for too many children and adults, displacement comes with no choice and is…
Healing Our “Emotional” Heart
Healing Our “Emotional” Heart We hear statements such as “He has a broken heart”, “My heart is sad”, “That is a heartache” and we understand that a person is going through a sad and hurtful experience. We associate our heart with emotions; painful, sad, and joyful. Does our heart really break or are we…
2022 Resolutions in a Continuing Pandemic
2022 Resolutions in a Continuing Pandemic It is January of a new year, 2022. In most years it is traditional to define a few resolutions we wish to accomplish, which are usually abandoned by Valentine Day! But what about this year? 2021 continued to be another unusual year as the world struggled with the pandemic…
The Impact of Violence of Children
The Impact of Violence of Children Children are being raised in a number of violent situations from domestic violence in the home to street/gang violence in the neighborhood, to violence on the television and war around the world. All types of violence, whether watched on television or experienced first- hand, has damaging long term impact…
School Success and Mental Health
School Success and Mental Health We all know we perform better when we feel better; physically or mentally. Now research is supporting our natural instinct with studies documenting children/youth success in school with positive mental health. But what does that mean? What is positive mental health for children? Based on definitions by the leading mental…
Equity, Independence and Loss
Equity, Independence and Loss Throughout the world, in every country and culture, people struggle with the desire for equity, independence and freedom. It is an inherent human drive to be in control of our lives, our decisions, our activities. It is also a human necessity to work cooperatively with others in building families, communities and…
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Mental Health and Mental Illness Often in our society the term “Mental health” and the term “Mental illness” are interchanged or misused when discussing or describing a person’s mental state. The terms describe two different situations regarding people’s ability to function within societal guidelines. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes…
2021 Resolutions in a Pandemic
2021 Resolutions in a Pandemic!! It is January of a new year, 2021. In most years it is traditional to define a few resolutions we wish to accomplish, which are usually abandoned by Valentine Day! But what about this year? 2020 was the most unusual year that most of us can remember when the pandemic…
Simplified Holidays During a Pandemic
Simplified Holidays During a Pandemic We will all experience many types of loss during the holiday season because of the pandemic; loss of holiday activities, loss of family gatherings, loss of financial resources, loss of a sense of security in our lives. With these losses comes all the grieving components; denial, anger, bargaining sadness and hopefully acceptance.…
Being Thankful during a Pandemic
Being Thankful during a Pandemic The pandemic is and has taken its toll on everyone from those who have become ill, even dying, to school at home, unemployment, financial challenges, lockdown and missing family. The holiday season is now in full swing and everyone is determining what that means for traditional holiday celebrations. Lockdowns and…