Families experiencing stressful situations or challenging emotions now have a new tool to check out from their local public library: a mental health kit. The kits are part of a regional community health initiative that will eventually expand to additional…
Holding the door open a second longer for the person behind you, admiring a stranger’s outfit, sending a text to a friend you haven’t heard from in a bit – these are all easy ways to show kindness that take…
The excitement for Halloween starts building early for most kids – costumes, candy and goosebumps. But for children with anxiety or sensory processing issues, Halloween presents a unique challenge for parents. Leaha Jones, LCPC, and manager of Mobile Crisis Response…
Long hours, market conditions and unpredictable weather can create stress for farmers and their families across central Illinois. “Farm life can be very rewarding, but it can also be very stressful, especially at times like planting and harvest,” said Kenny…
Do you know the warning signs for suicide? Suicide is death caused by self-inflicted injury with the intent to die, and it is the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Foundation for Suicide…
Self-Care Day is recognized on July 24 by the World Health Organization because self-care can be practiced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Are you too busy to care for yourself? It can seem like that at times.…
Athletes need to pay attention to emotional well-being as well as their physical health whether they play on a summer travel team, participate in high school or college-level sports or play on professional teams. It’s easy to fall victim to…
If you or a friend are struggling, remember – you are not alone. Don’t keep it to yourself. Sooner is always better than later to seek help. Reach out for help if you know something, hear something or your gut…
Social stigma against mental illness often prevents people – especially men, minorities and older adults – from seeking treatment. “If you don’t feel comfortable enough to talk to a friend about your mental health struggles, you’re certainly not going to…
For many people, a new year means a fresh start. A new year is also an opportunity to reflect on the past year and think about improvements for the upcoming year. To hold ourselves accountable, we often set goals — or…