By Jocelyn Gavin-Lane I have experienced some level of anxiety for as long as I can remember. In grade school, I recall being extra nervous at test time or when big events happened. That’s common, and in some instances, it can be classified as good anxiety. It wasn’t until my father’s death that my anxiety […]
By Nicole Bedsole We are our own worst critics and our own best cheerleaders. Self-esteem plays a vital role in how we see ourselves, not only when we are alone, but when we are at work or with friends and family. Wherever we go, there we are — with our self-esteem in tow. We learn […]
Dear parents, As I reflect on the events that led to my son’s death, I ask these questions every day: “Son, what did you want me to know? What message did you want to convey that was so difficult that at your deepest moments of pain, you could not tell me, and I could not […]
By Terri Brinston Parenting is hard! I remember the overwhelming fear I had when they handed me this small, fragile and delicate little baby, wrapped tightly in a thin blanket. I immediately fell in love but thought, “How do I do this?” Everything comes with an instruction manual of some sort, step-by-step directions for how […]
The parent-child bond is a unique experience that lasts a lifetime. This experience may be both positive and negative to the parents and the children. Your daily interaction is important, especially how you as the parent communicate with your child. Yes, mom and dad, effective communication may be a new language for you, but the […]
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 […]
