When you think of the holiday season, what comes to mind? Is it symbols of jolliness and cheer, or depression and stress? Either way, we must remember that everyone experiences … Read more
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For many, December marks the start of the holiday season. But the holidays don’t represent a season of joy for everyone. According to a report from the American Psychological Association, … Read more
Millions of people every year take a CPR or first aid class to learn how to recognize and care for a variety of medical emergencies. But what about someone experiencing … Read more
No one said this job was going to be easy. But if you asked me five years into my career, I’d tell you it was the best thing allowing me … Read more
Think that rural communities don’t face mental health challenges? Nothing could be further from the truth. Maybe it’s because we are small, unseen and misunderstood that people are unaware of the issues … Read more
It was about 8:45 p.m. on a slow weeknight in early 2011. We were ready to close the pharmacy down as soon as 9 p.m. hit. A patient came to … Read more
The idea that military-connected individuals and civilians cannot understand one another, often referred to as the civilian-military divide, is one of the most prominent barriers to care for veterans and … Read more
Addiction is a brain disorder. That finding is still relatively new within the scientific community, having only really emerged during the last two decades of research—but it should be a … Read more
I am a veteran. When I returned home to Amarillo, Texas after being deployed to Afghanistan with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, I was ready for a fresh start. Instead, … Read more
November 11 is Veterans Day, so we’re focusing on veteran and military mental health for the entire month of November. 20 veterans die by suicide each day. 30 percent of … Read more
Approximately one in 10 police calls involves a person with mental illness, making police the nation’s de facto first responders to mental health crises. Although police are on the front … Read more
Maj. Jim Cleek, commander of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Training Bureau, found out his son was living with bipolar disorder just before he took his first Youth Mental … Read more
At any coffee house in the country, you can get a solid cup of coffee, do some work, catch up on your email or just chat with a friendly barista. … Read more
If you haven’t read Part I of Sgt. Eric Weaver’s inspirational story, click here. In 2002, a fellow officer and close friend of mine completed suicide. Rather than continuing to … Read more
“If I don’t tell you something, I’m going to kill myself.” I said these words to my then-wife in the fall of 1995. I had been working for my police … Read more
“We are in community each time we find a place where we belong.” — Peter Block Our young people are hurting. Members of the generation born between 1995 and 2012 … Read more
The fact that running is good for cardiovascular health is now conventional wisdom. That running is good for the brain, on the other hand? Not as much. Yet increasingly, there’s … Read more
On a warm fall afternoon in Kansas Public School District #500, Officer Orlando Singleton takes a breather after helping another teenager through a mental health crisis. “We just got him … Read more
In March 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) launched the One Mind Campaign in response to the growing number and frequency of interactions between police and individuals … Read more
“The health of business depends on the health of workers.” –– Maria P. Neira, Director, WHO Department of Public Health and Environment Today is World Mental Health Day, and there … Read more
Nearly half of students across college campuses report having a diagnosable psychiatric disorder every year, while one-third have seriously considered suicide. In recognition of World Mental Health Day, GirlTrek, the … Read more
The deadliest mass shooting in modern American history took place on the night of October 1, 2017, the most recent incident in an epidemic of violence across the nation. Whether … Read more
Charleena Lyles. Alfred Olango. James Hall. These are only three out of the countless people with mental illness who have died as a result of a confrontation with law enforcement. … Read more
Last October, the International Association of Chiefs of Police launched the One Mind Campaign, which focuses on improving relationships between police and the mental health community and includes a commitment to train 100 … Read more
Hilda Marie’s worst nightmare was unfolding right before her eyes. Teetering at the edge of the platform was a woman poised to jump in front of an oncoming train. What … Read more
I immediately saw the need when I heard about Mental Health First Aid from a church member. As a pastor, I encounter various individuals who are touched by mental health … Read more
I never expected to put the things I learned from Mental Health First Aid to use so soon. As a psychology student at Brigham Young University, the training seemed like … Read more
Teachers today are called upon to do much more than just teach their area of expertise, whether its math or English, art or football. Teachers often play a critical role … Read more
When natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma strike, the number one priority is physical safety. But after the initial emergency passes, media coverage fades and public attention shifts, the … Read more
Your close friend has been talking lately about feeling depressed. She’s spending more and more time alone at home, she’s always tired and that she has admitted that a series … Read more
On her good days, Michelle was a ray of sunshine. On her not-so-good days, she was withdrawn, agitated and erratic. No matter what her mood, the glimmer in her eye … Read more
September is already underway and we’re continuing our focus on mental health at school as part of our #BeTheDifference campaign. Whether in the classroom or out, we know how critical it is … Read more
Visualize this: a college student athlete lies on a soccer field with a broken leg. Of course, she gets immediate attention from her teammates, trainers and coaches. A specific protocol … Read more
All aboard! Even in transit, a commuter train is on track to break down social stigma related to mental health. (“Themed train aims to get family and friends to help … Read more
This article originally appeared in Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation’s Born Brave Blog. Read the original post here. “Thank you for being part of a community capacity-building program that … Read more
I knew the birth of my children would change me as a person, but I had no idea it would completely turn my world upside down. It was terrifying and … Read more
Chad Farley picked up one last fare. A pretty normal night in the life of an Uber driver. But his GPS told him this fare’s destination was the top of … Read more
“You can’t always stop a bully, but you can reach out to someone being bullied so they don’t feel so alone.” —From Dianne Grossman’s Facebook page Mallory Grossman was a … Read more
August is back-to-school month, and we all know what that means. The new school year means new clothes, shoes, school supplies and more. But part of preparing to go back … Read more
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. –Neil Postman “The most vulnerable of the vulnerable” is what many have called children in foster … Read more
Many of us forget that we all possess one of the most effective tools to aid someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Listening. We hear a lot about active listening … Read more
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD This article originally appeared in Linda’s Corner Office blog. Read the original post here. The National Council has been honored with a prestigious Power … Read more
“A Dickensian nightmare” is how the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania described the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ treatment of mentally ill inmates back in 2013. The advocacy nonprofit’s complaint stated … Read more
When you put on a first responder uniform, you’re expected to be ”brave, strong and courageous – giving help and not asking for help,” said Jeff Dill, a retired firefighter. … Read more
“It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.” That’s the mantra of David Yarborough, a full-time peer specialist working at Metrocare, a nonprofit serving people with mental … Read more
My workplace is understanding about mental health challenges. My recent viral Tweet showing my CEO’s amazing response to my request to take time off for my mental health is just … Read more
Sales of prescription opioids in the U.S. nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2014, with more than half prescribed to adults with mental health disorders. Adults living with depression, anxiety and … Read more
Rodolfo Silva was prepared to handle death – at least he thought he was. During his first year as a pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, … Read more
Did you know that the word “addict” cannot be found in the most recent edition of the standard AP Stylebook? That’s because earlier this month, the Associated Press took a … Read more
Talking to your teenager (or a teenager you know) about, well, anything, can be difficult. When it comes to sensitive issues like mental health, getting a conversation started can be … Read more
