Blog
Trauma is a Whole-Body Issue
When you hear the word trauma, you may think about one type—physical trauma. But there is another type of trauma which is not easily recognized by the naked eye—emotional trauma. The common misconception is that emotional trauma isn’t a physical injury, that diagnoses...
Reducing mental health stigma: Steps you can take
Mental health awareness, at least in the U.S., is on the rise. Celebrities and people on the street are speaking openly about mental health, recognizing its prevalence, and discussing ways to combat issues. The World Health Organization notes that depression is the...
Marginalization 101
We can all agree that a traumatic event, like an act of terrorism, domestic violence, or longstanding emotional abuse, can cause stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The media and the public acknowledge those who are killed or physically affected by...
Storytelling versus Invisibility
Survivors of trauma go through life with a story of how they experienced--and conquered--trauma. Every story is different, and even in the same event, each survivor has a different experience. They all shape a new life afterward (because one cannot return to the exact...
Why Having Friends is Good for Your Mental Health
Life is an incredible journey and having friends is one of the really good parts of travelling that road. For the good times, like going places you enjoy and sharing exciting news and successes. And for the bad. When life is tough, sometimes you need someone to talk...
Questions to ask yourself: What is my story?
When thinking about telling your story (of trauma, but really anything and everything) the first step is figuring out what your story is and what part of it you want to tell. Storytelling is a key part of the human experience. We are meaning-making creatures and we...
Courage and Trauma
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." - Nelson Mandela Do you know the true definition of it or understand how you find it? Courage is strength in the face of pain or grief. It is close, but not the same as bravery. Courage is what allows...
We Are More Than the Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Us
After surviving a traumatic event or experience, it can be incredibly difficult to change how you see yourself. It can become all consuming: Why did this happen? Why did this person do this to me? Why can’t I get over it? Why? Why? Why? It’s true that part of your...
Kindness Counts: Little Ways to Improve Mental Health (Yours and Others’) with Kindness
“Kind words, kind looks, kind acts, and warm handshakes-these are means of grace when men in trouble are fighting unseen battles.” -John Hall There is an international movement to encourage kindness, in thought and deed. For the most part, this has been a push to...
The human touch for health
Humans are truly social beings and to be honest, touch may be one of the most significant actions which make us human. From the time we’re born, children thrive with the physical connection from family members, and in both friendship and romantic relationships, we...