Free Mental Health First Aid Courses Available

Dec 09, 2015

After a very successful 2015, Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare is heading out again to promote Mental Health First Aid courses throughout the region. This coming year they will have some new offerings. Region 6 is now able to offer the specialized Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum in addition to the adult curriculum courses already available.

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Teen Boys and Depression

Dec 02, 2015

Society has deemed displays of emotion as weak and non-masculine, so it is no wonder that when young men feel depressed, they mask their emotions. Young men often exhibit depression through behaviors rather than emotion.

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Avoiding the Holiday Blues

Nov 23, 2015

We can barely escape Halloween before we begin to see the Christmas classics playing on TV, twinkle lights brightening up our favorite department stores, and the constant reminders that the holiday season has arrived. It is supposed to be the happiest season of all, but for many, the holidays are anything but jolly.

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Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life . . .

Nov 23, 2015

Gratitude . . . a word that we hear often, but may not put into practice enough. I know that I certainly don’t. That is one of my goals moving forward, to live with more intentional gratitude. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all of the things that we are grateful for in our lives, but I would encourage all of us to continue our gratitude and thankfulness well beyond this holiday season; because as the saying goes, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”

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Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015

Nov 18, 2015

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 was introduced in February 2015, by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Tim Ryan (D-OH).

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Postpartum Depression

Nov 11, 2015

Recently there have been headlines about actress Hayden Penettierre’s struggle with Postpartum Depression. Not unlike clinical depression, it is often a mental disorder that is misunderstood and is often left untreated.

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A Journalist’s Responsibility When Reporting a Suicide

Nov 02, 2015

In the wake of yet another young life taken by suicide, I felt that it would be a good time to remind the community, particularly the media, about the importance of responsible reporting. The way media chooses to report on a suicide death can play a huge role in influencing the public’s response. It can affect it negatively by contributing to others’ suicidal thoughts and possible attempts or positively by encouraging individuals to seek help.

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Installation of Hope: 2015 National LOSS Conference

Oct 27, 2015

October has been a busy month for just about everyone involved in the mental health world. October marks both Mental Health Awareness Week (October 4th-10th) and World Mental Health Day (October 10th). Many of our community partners chose to hold mental health awareness events throughout the month, and we also held our annual lunch, A Time for Hope & Healing (October 13th). In addition to the many dinners, luncheons, and speakers, I also had the opportunity to attend the National LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

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A Time for Hope & Healing with Kevin Briggs

Oct 26, 2015

It is with a grateful heart that I thank everyone who took part in our annual luncheon, A Time for Hope & Healing with Kevin Briggs on October 13th. From the volunteers, to our sponsors, our staff, our board, the first responders in attendance, and Kevin himself; we had such a successful day raising awareness about suicide prevention, and starting the much needed conversation about saving lives by reaching those in crisis sooner and connecting them with the resources they need. We couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you who attended or helped out in some way. Thank you!

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