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As we watch things start to grow and enjoy more and more daylight, it's a good time to recommit ourselves to our mental health care. Do some mental health spring cleaning.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing or being an active bystander in instances of sexual assault. There are many different ways that you make a difference.

During times of high stress we are more likely to engage in unhealthy or addictive behaviors. We can easily get caught up in spending all of our mental energy focusing on how menacing our world is. The message we are getting right now is “You should be afraid and hypervigilant.” Worry becomes easy.

Ohio Governor Mike Dewine has appointed Ashland County’s Jerry Strausbaugh, EdD, LPCCS, Executive Director of Appleseed Community Mental Health to the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

When we set these boundaries with others and have much-needed time for ourselves, remembering to spend that time in a positive way is important. It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk, but one way to improve your mental health is to talk to yourself rather than listen to yourself. Too often we listen to ourselves and hear complaints, self-doubt, fear, and negativity.

February is Black History Month, and I believe it is important to highlight important ideas from Black leaders that support your mental health. The U.S. is and has been made up of the stories of countless individuals who have unique life experiences. Validating someone’s story by honoring their life experience as true-important-and meaningful is essential to-a healthy mature self esteem. You have the power to make someone else know they matter. 

Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault.  Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year.  Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.

It is important for us not to judge others' reactions to the fear and stress they experience. Everyone is living the ongoing pandemic differently and everyone has different levels of coping. Strive to be more forgiving and open to the differences and needs of others. Together we can move through the difficulties, fears, and anxieties we are experiencing, and with each other's help, we can find hope and healing from this international ongoing pandemic

Being stalked is a frightening and traumatic experience. SPARC reports that stalking victims suffer much higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and relationship issues than people in the general population.

According to HumanTraffickingHotline.org, human trafficking can happen to anyone, but we also know that some people may be more vulnerable than others.

A  recent research study has found that over the past two years, as we try to cope with all of the disruptions and changes related to  COVID-19, cell phone and social media use has skyrocketed. Social media is a way to stay in touch with friends and family. Owning and using a mobile phone is almost necessary in our culture with many occupations requiring smartphone accessibility. Sixty-nine percent of adults and 81% of teens use social media–so what does that mean for our brains?

The supermarket might provide the ham for the table and the ribbon to tie up boxes, but a designer purse or an XBox gift card won’t offer our kids the same valuable gifts that will keep hearts happy beyond the New Year.