Inspiration from NatCon

Have you ever attended a conference for professional development, and walked away wondering if it was worth your time or what you gained from it? I know that I have a time or two, but this year’s National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s NatCon (NatCon) was anything but that! This is a conference I have been attending for more than a decade, and it is always good, but this year’s felt even more relevant and meaningful. There were at least 60 Nebraskans among the sea of 6,000 plus behavioral health professionals in attendance, and every Nebraskan I spoke to, felt the same about this year’s conference.

Bike With Mike

My younger brother, Mike Kutilek, would have turned 32 on April 19th had mental illness not taken his life almost four years ago, on May 22nd, 2020. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in light of his recent birthday, I wanted to share part of our family’s story.

The Feeling of Being Enough  

Do you ever find yourself questioning your own worth, and not feeling good enough? You’re not alone in that. In fact, one of my personal limiting beliefs is that I am not good enough. That belief is typically the root cause of a lot of my mental distress. When things go wrong, I often point blame on myself, even if I had no control over the situation.

You Got a Friend in Me

Friendship is a crucial component of our mental health and overall well-being. Having supportive and caring friends can provide us with a sense of belonging, a source of comfort and joy, and a strong support system during challenging times. Being a good friend to others can also help us in our own mental health journey, as serving others can often foster positivity within ourselves.  

What Makes Us

The Nebraska Expressive Arts Therapy Foundation

As a social worker and mental health practitioner, I have been in the unique position of helping those experiencing complex trauma, family disruption, and grief for over two decades. Early on in my profession, I worked directly with young people impacted by the devastating effects of sexual abuse.

Try Volunteering!

Volunteering is not only a great opportunity for giving back to the community but can also be beneficial to the volunteers themselves. Volunteer work can look many ways and there are tons of great opportunities to volunteer wherever you live! It’s something that can be tailored to your lifestyle and provides a wonderful opportunity to explore new interests, listen to stories you may have never heard, and it offers a method of giving back to others. 

Sleeping is Self-Care

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