It is not uncommon to experience feelings of anxiousness, stress, or even depression during the holidays, especially if you have recently experienced a major life change, such as the loss of a loved one or relationship. Managing these feelings, while juggling the Christmas chaos, can be difficult. It’s best to prevent stress, as much as possible, so that you don’t become overwhelmed. Here are some holiday mental health tips that can help you to ward off holiday stress and manage your emotions, so that you can enjoy the holiday season and all the wonder it has to offer!

5 things to focus on in the weeks leading up to, and on Turkey Day itself, to decrease the squabble and make more room for joy as you gobble.

Emotions are what makes us human. And, it is normal to experience a broad range of emotions in every day life. However, there may also be times that you experience a sudden onset of extreme emotion. The type of emotion that overtakes your mind and body, and you feel helpless to control it.

If you find yourself overcome by extreme emotion, here are some Dialectical Behavioral Therapy based grounding techniques (TIP) that can help you to calm your mind and body and regain control quickly. 

The effects of domestic violence have far-reaching implications, not only for the victim, but also for their family, friends and other loved ones who may be exposed or aware of the abuse. Abuse can affect the way we feel about ourselves, the way we take care for ourselves, and how we interact with others. Beyond that, domestic violence can also have a profound impact on our mental health and sometimes lead to serious and/or chronic mental health conditions.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reminding us that an end to domestic violence can start with just one small action - whether that is to seek help or to share resources. Today, we will do our best to raise awareness by providing useful information, along with local (WY & ID) and national resources for victims of domestic violence. Please share these facts and resources to help spread awareness ...  you just might change a life! 

Many adolescents experience obstacles to their emotional development due to exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence. This can be a serious concern to their mental health and increase risk for developing mental health conditions. Failure to address mental health conditions during adolescence can lead to lifelong issues, impairing both physical and mental health, and hindering their ability to lead fulfilling lives.

Learn more about adolescent mental health concerns and how to spot the warning signs.

A shift is taking place in America, in which the stigma surrounding mental health is beginning to fade. We have begun to understand and accept the codependent relationship between mental and physical health, and progressively adopt a culture of “whole health”- encompassing body and mind as one. The whole health culture promotes equality between physical and mental illness, breaking down stigma and helping to normalize conversations about mental health issues. So, how can we continue this forward momentum? Let’s talk about it. 

In the U.S., over 19% of adults (40+ million) and 7% of children have an anxiety disorder – meaning they experience persistent, excessive fear or worry in non-threatening situations. For these individuals, feelings of intense fear and distress can become so overwhelming that it prevents them from engaging in everyday activities. And, unfortunately, anxiety disorders are on the rise. Given their prevalence, it is likely that you, or someone you care for, is struggling with an anxiety disorder. So, let’s learn more. 

The Hispanic/Latinx community makes up over 18% of the US population, making it our country’s second largest ethnic group. However, despite its large population, the Hispanic/Latinx community face many barriers in accessing mental health care.

Removing barriers to mental health care is a large part of our mission, here at HCBH. So, to that end, we would like to share a list of valuable mental health resources for our Hispanic/Latinx friends and community members.

Social media has become an integral part of today’s culture. However, social media’s popularity and influence has raised some significant concerns over its effect on mental health.

Join us as we discuss the risks of excessive social media use, how it can affect your mental health, and how you can protect your mental health by using social media responsibly.