I have never been the type of person to think much of myself. I am sure I could attribute this to low self-esteem or lived experience. The thought that I could be powerful only crossed my mind while playing superheroes as a child. When I became a Peer Support specialist, I was surrounded by women […]
Tina has been with John since they met in college nearly 20 years ago. She always has seen their relationship as “normal” and rarely has questioned how he treats her until recently, when she recognized that she constantly feels like she is “crazy.” Tina tries to connect the dots from what she knows to be […]
The COVID-19 shutdown disrupted our lives in numerous ways. It upset our routines, delayed our plans and, for many of us, it changed relationships and the way we see ourselves. Some of us had to find new supports in our lives. My hairdresser was one I lost when she went out of business. She understood […]
Remember our parents telling us to go play outside? I always thought they were just trying to get me out of the house to give themselves some peace and quiet, but it turns out they were setting me up for physical and emotional wellbeing. Studies are now vindicating the moms and dads who sent us […]
The past two years have been difficult for so many around the world. What a stressful time it has been, filled with worry about a mysterious disease! You can ask 10 people about their COVID experience and get 10 different answers. However, it seems like things are taking a positive turn. So how is mental […]
Lately, it seems like life has been in the fast lane. With so much going on in the world today, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. So, how can we combat these feelings? Building resiliency can be one of the best ways to protect ourselves. Three important factors empower resiliency: connection, wellness, and healthy thinking. […]
The Veterans Administration uses the term military sexual trauma to refer to experiences of sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service, including any sexual activity that someone is involved in against his or her will. It can be tough to understand that military sexual trauma is an experience, not a diagnosis or mental health […]
This year marks Psycamore’s 20-year anniversary of providing mental health treatment programs to Mississippi. As we reflect on the last two decades, we see a notable change in the place mental health support occupies within our society. Historically, mental illness has been surrounded by stigma. This includes the self-stigma those with mental illness experience, as […]
The mental health dynamics of various populations are unique but have a common thread. Most communities now recognize the importance of mental health, but many do not address it and direct individuals to proper support. I liken mental health to an invisible dog that barks loudly — at times irritatingly, annoyingly and repetitively. However, the […]
At age 81, Ruby Daniel remains the strongest woman her daughter knows. “Although she looks rather frail and fragile, she can still outwork me,” Tracy Daniel-Hardy says of her mother, who grew up in a farming family. “She moves much more slowly than she used to but still has great endurance.” Now a primary caregiver […]
