One of the most profound and inescapable human experiences is grief. For many, the mere mention of grief summons images of darkness and pain. We mourn those we’ve lost, and we yearn for the moments that have slipped through our fingers—moments that were never meant to end. But what if our response to grief could be reframed? What if this emotion, with its stifling weight, could be transformed into a vehicle for growth? The brain plays a key role in grief, with different areas working to process emotions and memories. Interestingly, remembering happy times activates similar brain regions as ph ..read more

Mental health is a topic that has gained more attention in recent years, as discussions and conversations about it become more common. However, despite this progress, the stigma surrounding mental illness still remains prevalent in our society. There is a widespread belief that seeking professional help for mental health issues is a sign of weakness or failure, leading to many individuals suffering in silence and not receiving the necessary support they need. You are not alone in your experiences. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. And its hi ..read more

Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holidays For those of us who are going through grief and loss, the holidays can be a challenging time. Grief is a complex emotion, and when the world around us is focused on celebration, it can be isolating. Research even shows that the holidays can heighten feelings of grief and increase stress levels. Grief can be defined as the deep and profound pain caused by the loss of someone or something important in our lives, whether it be a loved one, a significant life change, or a terminal diagnosis. It manifests in different ways, both physically and emotiona ..read more

Have you ever felt the transformative and healing power of creativity? Whether it’s painting a beautiful landscape, jotting down your thoughts in a journal, or losing yourself in the rhythm of music, creative expression has an incredible ability to touch us and stir emotions within us. And did you know that these forms of art can help in the healing of traumatic experiences? Let’s explore how engaging in activities like painting, writing, or music can help in the processing and healing of trauma. The Role of Art in Mental Health Art has been woven into the fabric of human existence since the ..read more

Why Educating Yourself About Mental Health Is Important Recent statistics show that millions of people around the world are affected by various mental disorders. It’s not just a small segment of the population. Mental health challenges impact individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. And the numbers continue to rise. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, there is a significant lack of understanding and support when it comes to mental health. That’s why it’s important for us to learn about mental health so we can gain a clearer understanding of the factors that contribu ..read more

Holding Space: Understanding and Supporting Loved Ones Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts Loved ones who are struggling with suicidal thoughts require empathy, warmth, and an understanding of how to offer support. For many of us, the idea of a loved one grappling with suicidal thoughts is a heart-wrenching and complex challenge to navigate. As friends or family members, it’s crucial that we remain compassionate, patient, and proactive. Holding space for someone in such profound distress requires a delicate blend of attentiveness and discretion. It means to be there for them physically, mentally ..read more

Trauma triggers can be a challenging experience for anyone who has gone through a traumatic event. Whether it’s the sound of a car backfiring, a smell that reminds you of the traumatic memory, or seeing a person who was involved, triggers can be both sudden and entirely unexpected. When triggered, intense feelings of anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, or dissociation can disrupt your daily life, making it hard to work, or go to school, or maintain healthy relationships. But with consistent effort and support, you can learn to manage these symptoms and learn from the trauma. Understand Your Tri ..read more

Emotions are always out there waiting in the wings to visit us, whether we are ready or willing. You may be astonished at how many emotional states there are, and how regularly they visit us. Research shows that we typically experience 35 to 50 emotions as we go through each day. We humans are capable of experiencing hundreds of different emotions and they cross a wide spectrum, from the exhilarating to the exhausting, and from the beautiful to the absolutely ugly. That’s a lot of feelings, and sometimes they can be a lot to handle, but we should not seek to shy away from them. Trying to avoi ..read more

Let’s talk Fear and get to know our Fear Brain: “Amy” the amygdala. Did you know that as humans, 90 percent of our present moment is informed by experiences from our past? These are the good, the bad, the ugly and even the unconscious! This is often not a bad thing, because a split-second decision made by our primal survival brain can keep us from stepping off of a cliff or running out into traffic to our deaths. Our fear brain’s Spidey sense, and memory system, deserves a lot of credit for making sure we stay alive. At the forefront of this process is the amygdala of our brains—our fiercest ..read more

Changing our behavior is one on the hardest things we humans face. We are patterned creatures and we like the things with which we are comfortable. So much so that our brain will unconsciously push back on creating change. We especially avoid changing behaviors that are easy to do and that make us feel good for a little while, like sleeping in a little or overworking so we can avoid some of the more stressful things going on in our lives. To disengage for a bit each day we might drink a little too much alcohol or smoke some pot. We might even engage in an easy, creative and immediately fulfil ..read more