As November unfolds, it’s a season often associated with gratitude—a time to reflect on what we have, cherish our connections, and find moments of joy amidst the busyness of life. Gratitude, however, is more than a seasonal sentiment. It’s a powerful practice that can significantly enhance mental well-being and resilience.
September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical issue of suicide and the importance of mental health. It's a month where we collectively pause to reflect, educate, and most importantly, take action. Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, but it’s a conversation we need to have.
For most people, supporting someone struggling with depression doesn’t come super naturally. This can be because of a variety of factors including lack of experience or knowledge about handling depression, discomfort with experiencing their own negative emotions, or simply being unaware that they can truly make a difference in the experience of the person they love.
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, warmth, and celebration. However, it's essential to acknowledge that not everyone experiences this time of year in the same way. For some individuals, the holidays can bring about a range of emotions, from loneliness and sadness to heightened stress and anxiety. Therefore, we need to recognize the reality that holidays are not always happy for everyone.
Ah, at last, the summer has finally arrived! For many people, this time of year brings a sense of joy, lightheartedness, and fun. Afterall, what’s not to like about sunshine, beach outings, vacations, and longer days? It would seem like a simple equation for happiness and uplifted moods- right? However, a small percentage of people experience summer much differently than the majority. You have probably heard of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which is typically associated with the winter months. This is when a person experiences symptoms of depression due to less sunlight and colder temperatures. However, for a smaller subset of people, summer has the opposite effect and triggers an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Experts believe it may be attributed to higher humidity levels, social pressures, body image issues, or longer days. So, what can we do to help ease summer depression symptoms? Here are a few tips to help cope with SAD in the summer.
