Mental Health Month: It’s Not About Shooters

Susan Weinstein, J.D.
Editor in Chief, Care for Your Mind

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, we are again in the position of gun violence determining the conversation about mental illness. Friday’s deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School – where 10 people (2 teachers and 8 students aged 15-17) were killed and 13 were injured – shifted the conversation from raising awareness, cultivating understanding, and dispelling stigma to equating mental illness with violence. Reaction to this shooting shows how much work we still have to do.

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Where We Are with Mood Disorders, Part 2

Scott T. Aaronson

Scott T. Aaronson, MD
Director, Clinical Research Programs
Sheppard Pratt Health System

Our Mental Health Awareness Month series continues with Dr. Scott Aaronson talking about depression treatment developments and what’s on the horizon.

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Where We Are with Mood Disorders, Part 1

Scott T. Aaronson

Scott T. Aaronson, MD
Director, Clinical Research Programs
Sheppard Pratt Health System

During this Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with Dr. Scott Aaronson about where we are with care for mood disorders and what we have to look forward to.

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Epilepsy Skill-Building Provides Lessons for Mental Health

Ron Manderscheid

Ron Manderscheid, PhD
Executive Director, National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors and National Association for Rural Mental Health

Health strategies in the epilepsy field offer ideas for addressing mental health and substance use disorders.

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“Press Pause” to Help Teens & Young Adults Cope with Stress, Anxiety, and Relationship Issues

John MacPhee

John MacPhee, MBA, MPH
Executive Director & CEO, JED

Over the last few years, there’s been a growing focus on the importance of strengthening resiliency and developing healthy coping mechanisms among teenagers, college students, and young adults. We want young people to “press pause.”

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Addressing Teen Stress, Part 2

Elin Björling

Elin Björling, PhD
University of Washington

Last week, in recognition of National Stress Awareness Month, we began examination of stress and teens, particularly teenage girls. Read that, then read this week’s part 2. – Ed.

Designing technology-based stress reduction tools has promise for teens’ stress now and their future health.

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Addressing Teen Stress, Part 1

Elin Björling

Elin Björling, PhD
University of Washington

Just because stress is an increasing problem for today’s teens doesn’t mean that it is “normal.” We need to work together to address adolescent stress so today’s teens don’t suffer long-term consequences to their physical and mental health.

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Sharing a Pathway to Inner Peace in a Stressful World

Wuf Shanti and Adam Photo

Adam, age 13

To kick off National Stress Awareness Month, CFYM is delighted to bring the perspective of a 13-year-old to the conversation, as Adam shares his hope and strategy for addressing kids’ stress. Sometimes adults just need to stand out of the way and let the next generation lead. – Ed.

As far back as I can remember, probably starting at age 5, my mom would make me learn about charities and how to give back to help people. It seemed natural for me to become a peer counselor in school. It also made sense to take my great-grandfather’s teachings and pay it forward to teach other kids about mindfulness.

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