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Victims are often told by their perpetrators that there is something wrong with them. This leaves the victim feeling as though they don't deserve to be loved and treated well. The reality is we all are lovable, and we all deserve to be respected and cared for. 

Safe Schools Week is Oct 16-22, and I want to say a word about the important topic of bullying. The CDC defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times. It results in physical, psychological, social, or educational harm on the targeted youth.

Like any other challenge in life, ADHD can be overcome with the right interventions, training, patience, persistence, and love.  Families that have a child who meets the criteria, need support, understanding, and skill building. Early intervention can make a huge difference so reach out to your pediatrician or trusted mental health provider and get the help you need.

Being frustrated with something or someone is a common experience. It is important that we learn to recognize and manage frustration, so it doesn't become the feeling that is driving all our decisions or actions. Maybe there is a change at your work that-you-have-a-hard-time accepting or something unexpected happens and your vacation plans get put on hold.  

Today is National Love People Day. I have a plaque on the wall that reads: Love each other or perish. My challenge to you this weekend is to have a conversation with someone who you categorize as different from you. Become a bridge-builder. You'll be amazed to find your suspiciousness start to shrink and your capacity for love and care start to grow.

How many of us have seen the stereotypical group of retired guys sitting at McDonald's in the morning drinking coffee together and solving the world's problems? This practice of regularly getting together with friends and sharing life is a powerful mental health tool.

Building relationships with your neighbor can become a powerful tool in your mental health toolbox. Part of a healthy mental health strategy includes tending to the relationships we have with our family, friends, and neighbors.

The act of forgiving can reverse these negatives by calming the body’s stress response. Through practicing forgiveness, you can reap rewards for your health such as lowering the risk of heart attack, improving cholesterol levels, better sleep, reducing blood pressure, and lessening your experience of anxiety, depression and stress.

In 2001, the National Center for Addictions declared the fourth Monday of September as National Family Day to promote families setting down in the evenings and having dinner together. Their research found that adolescents who ate meals with their families three or more times per week were less likely to use drugs or alcohol.

Often suicide and addiction are manifestations of dealing with the self-incrimination that occurs as a result of childhood trauma. Sixty six percent of adults have experienced an adverse childhood experience meaning they lived with abuse, neglect, parental separation, or loss.  A negative self-image, flashbacks, anxiety, and depression can all stem from childhood trauma. These behavioral health issues then, correlate with both suicidal thinking and addiction.

One of the most common catalysts for substance abuse is adverse childhood experiences. In fact, for every adverse childhood experience encountered, the risk of substance use increases. Experiencing some form of abuse, neglect, loss or lack of stability in childhood happens to most people. Research indicates 66% of us have had at least one childhood trauma.

Repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug addiction are at increased risk for returning to use even after years of not taking the drug. Like other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment requires action and diligence, and it should be ongoing and tailored to the individual.