The Federal Communications Commission announced December 13, 2019 that it was putting forward a proposal to designate 988 as a "suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline." It’s a lesson you learn as early as grade school: If you find yourself injured, threatened or otherwise in harm’s way, just break out your phone and dial […]

You can #BeTheDifference for someone living with anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults each year. Yet only 36.9 percent of people living with anxiety disorders receive treatment. The good news? In addition to seeking professional treatment, there are self-care tools you can […]

by Therese Borchard Stuck thoughts. Painful ruminations. Unrelenting obsessions. They are the curse of depression — among the most excruciating symptoms, in my opinion. “When a child gets lost, he may feel sheer terror,” explains Byron Katie in her bestseller Loving What Is. “It can be just as frightening when you’re lost inside the mind’s […]

Exhausted with all the holiday festivities? This article by Leslie Becker, PhD provides some helpful tips to help manage your stress before, during and after the holidays. Feel the stress of the holidays yet? If not, consider yourself lucky… and prepare for the tension yet to come. While you might look forward to the obligatory […]

False beliefs about mental illness can cause significant problems. Learn what you can do about stigma. By Mayo Clinic Staff Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and […]

Once again and seemingly out of nowhere, at least for me, the holidays are upon us. Lights and decorations, food and family, parties and presents. To paraphrase the classic song from A Charlie Brown Christmas, “The holidays are here. Happiness and cheer.” Though many would argue that “bah, humbug” is much more reflective of their […]

Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. […]

Grief doesn’t magically end at a certain point after a loved one’s death. Reminders often bring back the pain of loss. Here’s help coping — and healing. By Mayo Clinic Staff When a loved one dies, you might be faced with grief over your loss again and again — sometimes even years later. Feelings of […]

What is rumination? Has your head ever been filled with one single thought, or a string of thoughts, that just keep repeating… and repeating… and repeating themselves? The process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, which tend to be sad or dark, is called rumination. A habit of rumination can be dangerous to your […]