For most Americans, the month of July is synonymous with Independence Day and related celebrations. However, the month also holds a less widely-known title; National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), this title was created by the House of Representatives in 2008 in honor of Bebe Moore… read more
The Power of Gardening to Improve Mental Health
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic 20th century novel, tells the story of Mary Lennox, a girl relocated to England following the deaths of her parents. As she copes with her grief, she also faces ill health, loneliness and a slew of additional concerns that we now would recognize as major stressors. As you… read more
The Power of Food to Affect Your Mood
Follow Your Gut: What You Eat Can Affect Your Mental Health Growing evidence suggests that eating well can improve your mental health, particularly your mood. For example, foods such as berries can boost memory and learning capacity, and certain teas can increase focus and reduce mental fatigue. Further, studies have shown associations between diet, suicide risk and… read more
Mental Health on TV: The Good, The Bad, and the Baffling
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 13 Reasons Why. This Is Us. These are just a handful of the many television shows tackling mental health issues today. Discussions of mental health on our televisions represent a radical change; there was a time when mental health was so stigmatized that people avoided discussing it within their families, let alone engage… read more
How You Can Support a Partner Who’s Struggling with Their Mental Health
Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but it’s still a great time to find new ways to love and support your partner. After all, being in a relationship isn’t just about roses and heart-shaped chocolates; it’s about you and your significant other providing one another with love and support, whether times be easy or difficult.… read more
Which is Better, Idealism or Cynicism?
Just as people aren’t born “good” or “bad,” no one is born a cynic or an idealist. Our view of the world is shaped by our experiences—which is a relief, because it means we can change that view if we see fit. But which should we strive for, cynicism or idealism? A cynic is someone… read more
Take A Hike: How Outdoor Activity Builds Mental Health
In a day and age when technology reigns and face-to-face interactions have fallen by the wayside, spending time in the great outdoors has lost some of its popular appeal. Despite this, outdoor activities can play a major role in gaining and maintaining positive psychological health! By building communities with your fellow outdoorspeople, increasing your psychological… read more
Self-Guided Approaches to Bring Relief from Chronic Pain, with Regina Tosca, LICSW
Each year, millions of people are forced to cope with the physical and psychological effects of chronic pain. Viva therapist Regina Tosca, LICSW, knows this well—with her background in palliative care and hospital social work, she’s worked with many clients who deal with chronic pain in their daily life. In the following post, Regina breaks… read more
