Millions of Americans struggle with suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation. This can include thoughts of wanting to be dead or thoughts of wanting to kill yourself. Anyone can experience thoughts of suicide, and it does not always result in a…
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, and there are an estimated 1.5 million suicide attempts yearly. But suicide is preventable. World Suicide Prevention Day, on Thursday, Sept. 10, helps raise awareness by talking about…
The submarine vibe of the hyperbaric multi-place oxygen chamber at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital didn’t intimidate patient Brad Russell. The 58-year-old Springfield man is 6’8” and admittedly somewhat claustrophobic. At the advice of his care team, he took the short drive…
Back-to-school transitions can cause stress for your kids as they anticipate big changes from the summer schedule to a school routine. For most students of all ages, there can be a mix of excitement and anxiety about reuniting with friends…
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…
Sometimes a high schooler just needs a little extra encouragement and a short reminder about what’s important and what’s not. School texting campaigns can provide just that – low-key reminders about mental health topics delivered in brief nuggets through a…
A mountain of decisions await expectant parents – everything from nursery bedding to diaper brands to deciding what and how to feed the baby, which is one of the most important. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies be breastfed exclusively…
A school physical is just one part of a child’s preparation ahead of kindergarten, and a physician-signed Certificate of Child Health Examination Form is required by the state of Illinois. Helping your future kindergartener know what to expect in a…
In the summer, we spend a lot of time outdoors. Whether you are at a ball game, going swimming, taking a hike, camping or at a backyard barbecue, pests like mosquitos and ticks can not only be a nuisance, they…
Bad news first. There is still no safe sun exposure. Nada. Not ever. Don’t do it. And if you or your kids are going to be out in the pool, on the playing field or just hanging outdoors, they need…