Most of us have that month or season of the year that is more difficult than others. For me it’s September. Thirteen years ago, on September 12. 2010 my fiancé, Billy died by suicide in our home. I found him and my life was forever changed. For years I was disassociated and walking through life like a robot just going through the motions. I never thought I would feel “normal” again. I struggled to [...]
September is considered Suicide Prevention Awareness month. As someone who has spent much of her career working directly in suicide prevention, this is much more than a month. While I am incredibly proud of the work that I’ve done and our FSA teams continue to do, something is clearly missing. Deaths [...]
Understanding my own privilege has been a journey through the years. I honestly thought for years I wasn’t privileged because I grew up in a lower middle-class family. Though, I didn’t truly [...]
As we finish out the month and near the celebration of our independence, I’ve reflected a lot this month on inclusivity. I was blessed to see so much love and acceptance throughout this month as I paid closer attention to it. Participating in Elgin’s first pride parade with FSA was a wonderful experience. You could feel, see, and [...]
Let me set the scene…
My daughter, who is 16, and two of her friends are wandering one of the downtown districts in our local communities. To me, this is the perfect age group of patrons. They work and have very little financial obligations in their life so therefore leaving a fair amount of expendable income. I too decide to go
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It didn’t take a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics declaring children’s mental health a national emergency, for many of us to understand that youth mental health has been a simmering crisis for a long time. [...]
The holidays are often a difficult time for many people, and COVID-19 may bring some additional challenges and worries this year. While the typical stress this time of year usually comes from planning, shopping, cooking, and preparing for the holidays; stress this year may arise from worrying about staying safe and not being able to see family/friends. Being away from [...]
Being mentally healthy can look different for each of us, as everyone has their own struggles they are dealing with and journey’s they are on. Start with looking at where you are now and where you want to be and work towards this goal. How are you currently coping? This is a question I often ask myself and should be something you ask yourself as well! Finding efficient [...]
Have you ever walked into the office and noticed one of your peers is struggling? Have you ever wanted to help but were unsure of what words to say? Oftentimes, it can be hard to offer help to someone of the same age or status. It can feel as though you do not have words to offer that [...]
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. 1 in 5 children, either currently or [...]
September is suicide awareness month. Being aware of warning signs for Depression, Suicide, and Self-Injury is one thing that can help those struggling who may not be open and ready to talk about it. Knowing these warning signs can help you better support the people you care about. [...]
Asking for help is tough, but it can be exhausting doing everything on your own. It’s also a sign of strength to ask for help because it shows you want to make changes for yourself. Since it’s not an easy thing to do, here are some tips on how to use your current supports and how to take the next steps to start therapy when you’re ready: [...]
Never in my wildest dreams or imagination could I have known how COVID-19 would impact and change our world. But as the months progress I reflect upon how this time will shape us and help us to grow as an individual, community, [...]
2020 has been such an eventful year, it is almost hard to believe it is only July. The beginning of this new decade has brought up a lot of impactful waves of change. An individual’s ability to positively cope and feel supported during all this may not seem as important to them. However, [...]
Racism and inequity have been on our minds extensively over the last few weeks and rightfully so. As Americans continue to mourn the loss of George Floyd, and the many Black lives lost, many seek justice in what seems to be an uphill battle. [...]
What is Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)? Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a psychotherapy that uses movement as the primary intervention for behavioral and mental health. It operates on the premise that the mind and body are connected, and the body houses all of our experiences—good and bad. We have witnessed [...]
These are interesting times that we are living in currently. Things are changing rapidly and our routines are entirely thrown off. We are focusing on community wellness…at least for physical health. Let’s take a moment to talk about our mental health. [...]