May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of mental health. Mental health is a vital component of our overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked or stigmatized. Mental health conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. The last three years have had a significant impact on mental health, with many people experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety and … [Read more...] about Bringing Attention to Resources in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month
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Reimagining Crisis with the Mental Health Lifeline
On July 16, 9-8-8 will officially become America’s mental health crisis hotline number. It’s meant to serve as an immediate resource for people experiencing mental health emergencies like suicide ideation, addiction, depression, panic attacks and more. Considering the fact that more than 12 million people had serious thoughts of suicide and one in 20 adults experienced a serious mental illness in 2020, it’s clearly a much-needed outlet. “9-8-8 will be a tremendous resource for people in … [Read more...] about Reimagining Crisis with the Mental Health Lifeline
Northern Arizona’s First Cognitive Assessment, Support Clinic Opens
A lost set of keys, a missed dental appointment, forgetting the name of an acquaintance – these may be signs of normal aging. Coupled with other symptoms, however, they may also signal the start of dementia or other conditions that could be mistaken for dementia early on – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression, Parkinson’s disease or even a small stroke. These “neurocognitive conditions” all affect a person’s ability to think and reason. They also can’t be diagnosed with a simple … [Read more...] about Northern Arizona’s First Cognitive Assessment, Support Clinic Opens
Looking Beneath Behavior
Conditions such as ADHD and anxiety can have a huge impact on the quality of life of not only the person affected, but also of the family members who struggle to help their loved one achieve a measure of calm and emotional self-regulation in their lives. There are numerous factors that impact brain health and our ability to function optimally in our daily lives. The foods we eat, the amount of water we consume, and the quality of our sleep can have a profound impact on mood and overall … [Read more...] about Looking Beneath Behavior
We are Better When We Move
Turns out the Sundance Kid had it right. “I’m better when I move,” he explained, during a job interview to be a payroll guard, when asked if could shoot. And the truth is, so are we. Except now there’s a whole lot of research backing Sundance up, much like Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Gang when they were robbing trains (which is a physical activity). Banner Health applauds physical activity. In an article published in 2020, the medical non-profit giant and largest employer in Arizona … [Read more...] about We are Better When We Move
Community Discusses Mental Health Crisis
The impact of more than a year of isolation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to job and housing losses, economic deprivation and personal and social crises, has resulted in radical increases in mental health issues. That is what leaders of several professional health organizations in the greater Quad Cities community shared during a two-hour town hall meeting last month, sponsored by the City of Prescott at City Hall. “As we are coming out of the worst of the pandemic, it’s … [Read more...] about Community Discusses Mental Health Crisis
Animals Helping to Ease Pandemic Stress
It’s challenging enough to be a young person with mental health issues without the added trauma generated by a worldwide pandemic. Children and teens the world over are grappling with the stress, fear, grief, isolation and uncertainty created by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the struggles and losses of the past 14 or so months are likely to continue to affect young people and their families for some time. These hard times are shining a spotlight on an annual event that traditionally is devoted … [Read more...] about Animals Helping to Ease Pandemic Stress
