Kids and Scary Weather
It is difficult to watch scenes of destruction from the tornado in Oklahoma. Seeing the devastation of the buildings is one thing; seeing the kids reunited with their parents really takes it to a whole new level. One of my colleagues here at Alegent Creighton Health brought up how scary it must have been to hear the tornado sirens – and how both kids and adults will remember the images from this storm the next time the sirens sound here. Aside from limiting exposure to news outlets and information about … Continue reading
Posted in Wellness
Tagged fears, kids, mental health, oklahoma, sirens, storms, tornado
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May Is Mental Health Month!
Since May is Mental Health Month, I’d like to share some information from Mental Health America. There are some links included in the information below that may benefit you or someone you love. Please feel free to share this information and these links with others. Partnership to Provide the M3 Checklist, a Free Online Personalized Mental Health Screen for Prevalent Mental Health Diseases. Mental Health America provides the only online test that screens for depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and anxiety. The innovative online mood-screening tool is offered in partnership with … Continue reading
Posted in Wellness
Tagged anxiety, bipolar, depression, mental health, mental health month, mood, PTSD
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What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Due to the recent, tragic events at the Boston Marathon and the West, Texas fertilizer plant, some patients are asking more about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). When we hear of traumatic events like these in the news – local or global – we can certainly be impacted. When someone personally experiences or witnesses a traumatic event thiscan make for an even deeper impact, resulting in PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a helpful brochure aboutPTSD. PTSD, they explain, is as“an anxiety disorder that some people get after … Continue reading
How Do I … ?
A participant in one of my recent community presentations asked questions about cutting and preparing certain foods. I wondered if other folks had the same concerns. How do you cut an avocado? Or a pineapple? Coming to the rescue is the national organization for Registered Dietitians, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The organization recently completed a series of “How do I” videos. The YouTube videos are less than a minute in length and cover about twenty food items. Since it is more economical to buy fresh, whole produce, you … Continue reading
Look for the Good People
My friend and fellow mental health therapist, Mat Balcetis, LIMHP, sent an email to me today. It is a quote from Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Do any of you remember that show on PBS? I loved that show. The quote applies today as much as it did way back when. I invite you to consider Mr. Rogers’ sentiment as you talk with your family and friends – especially your children – regarding the bombs at the Boston Marathon, the explosion in Texas or any other scary stuff that … Continue reading