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Celebrating Juneteenth

Celebrating Juneteenth

June 30, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth” and marks a very important day in American history. This is the day federal troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 and took control to ensure all slaves were freed. Juneteenth is thought to be the longest-running African American holiday. It became an official federal holiday on June 17, 2021. 

While slavery was abolished over 250 years ago, there is lingering trauma that has been passed down through the generations in the black community. As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, it’s important to focus on the overall mental health and well-being of the community. 

Barriers To Mental Health Care 

Historically, the African American community has been faced with certain barriers that have made seeking mental health services challenging. 

Socioeconomic Disparities 

It is common for members of the black community to experience socioeconomic disparities that make it hard to finance mental health treatment. Recent data suggest that 11% of black adults in this country have no form health insurance.  

Stigma 

It is common for people in the black community to have negative attitudes and beliefs about mental health issues and treatment for those issues. In fact, one study found that 63% of black people still believe that admitting to struggling with a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness.  

As a result of this lingering stigma, people often feel shame for having a mental health condition and choose to not seek help for fear of being bullied or scorned.  

Trust 

People of color often prefer to speak with therapists within their own community. Speaking with another person of color, who understands the microaggressions and burdens you face on a daily basis, can be tremendously helpful for healing.  

Currently, the psychology workforce is predominantly white, which often makes it difficult for BIPOC people to find a therapist they feel comfortable with. It is hoped that in the coming years, more young people of color will take an interest and the initiative to become a trained and licensed therapist. 

Making a Commitment 

This Juneteenth, it is important that people in the African American community make a commitment to their mental health. It may be helpful for you to get on the phone with a few potential providers and ask some questions to get a sense of their level of cultural awareness. What is their history of treating people of color? How sensitive are they to the plights black people face today? 

When you find a provider that can meet your needs, you can begin the journey of healing. 

SOURCES:

 

Filed Under: mental health

How Finances can Impact Your Mental Health

June 30, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Not since the great depression have so many people collectively been dealing with financial hardship. The Covid pandemic locked down nations and caused people to lose their livelihoods. It is not surprising, then, that we are also seeing increases in the rates of depression.

There have been other studies that also linked depression and anxiety with financial burdens. In fact, this study suggests that individuals with depression and anxiety are three times more likely to be in debt.

It’s a Vicious Cycle

Solving any problem requires clear thinking and an ability to take action. The problem is, when financial burdens cause a person to become anxious and depressed, they live in an emotional state that makes it almost impossible to solve their financial problems.

For instance, when people feel depressed, it is common for them to also feel overwhelmed and out of control. They tend to want to avoid problems because they simply can’t bear the weight of it all. 

Depression and anxiety can also make it hard for people to get proper sleep. This, in turn, creates mental fog, making it incredibly hard to figure out a solution to any problem.

Talking to Someone Can Really Help

No, I’m not talking about a financial planner, I’m talking about speaking with a therapist. A licensed therapist can help you find some calm in the storm. Working with a therapist often brings the kind of clarity that can help you heal from depression and anxiety and get your financial life back in order.

There is nothing to be ashamed of. Most of us have, at one point (if not currently), experienced trouble with our finances and felt depressed and anxious. It is a common part of living in these modern times when the economy seems to be going against us most of the time.

If you or a loved one has been having a hard time financially and you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, please get in touch with me. I would be more than happy to help you deal with your current situation.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: finance, mental health

Neurodivergence’s Impact on Mental Health

June 30, 2022 by Leave a Comment

When we speak about human behavior or ways of being in the world, we have traditionally described someone as having normal behavior or abnormal behavior. Recently, mental health experts have begun to look at things in a broader, more inclusive scope.

What Does Neurodivergent Mean?

Neurodivergent is a term used to describe someone who either behaves in a specific way or processes information in a specific way that differs from cultural norms. It is an important shift in the mental health community because it allows clinicians to discuss diagnoses, such as autism, in a way that doesn’t portray the diagnoses as an illness or problem to be dealt with. In addition to autism, there are other diagnoses that may be considered a form of neurodivergence such as ADHD, any learning disability, dyslexia, and Tourette’s syndrome.

Benefits of Neurodiversity

Much of the world has embraced cultural diversity. We have been taught that diversity is our greatest strength. Well, people are finally starting to realize that this concept goes beyond just cultural diversity and should extend to the diversity of thought and being as well. Neurodiversity can actually be beneficial to society because different ways of thinking and looking at the world bring different perspectives and insights to the table.

Temple Grandin is a perfect example. Temple is autistic and it is her very unique perspective and way of thinking that allowed her to revolutionize the practices for the humane handling of livestock.

Instead of stigmatizing children who have been diagnosed with a “mental handicap,” we must encourage them to embrace their differences and share their unique insights and perspectives with the world.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: mental health, neurodivergence

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    "Working with Expand Mentoring as a therapist provides my clients the extra support they need to practice/follow through with their personal goals and positive coping skills they are learning in therapy."~Professional : J.S. MA, LPC
    "Working with expand mentors means I am collaborating with a team that offers skillful, caring, and coordinated care to my clients; meeting them in their world, working organically to connect and expand treatment far beyond the therapy office."~Professional : B.W. MA, LPC
    "Expand mentoring was there for my student as she transitioned from a therapeutic wilderness program home. It was this structure that allowed my student to reintegrate back into the family and community instead of going to a therapeutic school."~Professional : KM- Ed Consultant
    "The talent and skill in connecting with adolescents and young adults is without comparison."~Professional : A.C. MA, LPC, PsyD
    "Expand mentors have a balance between accomplishing tasks with the clients they serve while always seeking to deepen connections with the clients."~Professional : N.M. MA, LPC
    "Our mentor has done an amazing job working with our son. He came into the picture at a critical time for him and has been a huge part of all the positivity in his life right now. He's coming up on 1 year sober (his sister's birthday) and is started a full-time job."~Parent
    "Thank you to Expand... [Our son] has come a long way. He is now college bound to CSU this fall. He has been working at Target for several months since graduating last December, and today has his interview for a summer position at Calwood as a camp counselor. He is even attending Prom next weekend with his friends from his old high school, an experience which he really is happy that he won't miss out on. And most importantly, it has been a joy to have him back here at home! All the best to the Expand team. We appreciate you being here and offering this opportunity to those in need."~Parent
    "Thank you for providing a wonderful service. We deeply appreciate the support we received from Expand, especially from [our mentor and parent coach]. Our family is much stronger because of the support we received when we needed it most."~Parent
    "To say that we are grateful for the gifts of his presence in [our son's] life doesn't begin to capture the depth of our gratitude! [Our mentor] has played a pivotal role in [our son's] healing and in [our son's] remembering his inner light, beauty and goodness. Truly, their relationship has been life affirming! It has also been beneficial and a pleasure for us to partner with Landon along the way. As parents, we could not have asked for anything more!"~Parent
    "Thank you, Victoria and Expand Mentoring, for your part in guiding and coaching [our loved one. The mentorship we received was] an exceptional example of Expand's mission "... to help clients discover, develop, and move towards the life they have always wanted."~Parent
    "Expand was lovely to contract with, they were open and reflective the first time I spoke to them. The organization is well run, communication is clear."~Parent
    "Expand was lovely to contract with, they were open and reflective the first time I spoke to them. The organization is well run, communication is clear."~Parent
    "Our mentor was instrumental in getting our daughter back on track. She is warm, yet firm and tireless in her approach to helping young people. I would encourage anyone who needs help to call Expand Mentoring."~Parent
    "We absolutely love working with Expand Mentoring. They have bent over backwards to find the right fit for our son. The entire team really cares and is there to help. They have also been a great resource for other coaching we were seeking as well. Cannot recommend them enough!"~Parent
    "I was very burnt out from how my life was going. Expand helped me get encouraged and rejuvenated to meet my life goals."~Client
    "[My mentor] is over the moon incredible! Changed my life with her Gift of Structure and accountability-buddy partnership in the course of three months. We are cruising diligently and steadily on the path of my life's work and dreams, steady on our feet, and in our rhythm, threading the dreams one stitch at a time; wonderful."~Client
    "I enjoy working with Expand mentors because they help guide me in life while I'm still in control."~Client
    "Working with a mentor helps me see possibilities for my life that I wouldn't have seen otherwise."~Client
    "Expand Mentoring was an integral part of my healing process and allowed me to work with someone who I saw as a wiser, older version of myself and helped me break through the challenges and obstacles associated with recovering from a very difficult time. I am eternally grateful for having had someone to lean on, ask for support, and look up to as I navigated a major life change. I highly recommend Expand Mentoring to anyone whether they need support in recovering from a crisis or simply want an extra layer of support in their lives."~Client
    "I'm sitting here thinking back to all that you worked with me on and through, and I don't think I ever truly thanked you for everything that you were there for me on. The most incredible part of the whole thought is from getting to know you through our work together I can say without question in my mind that each and every one of your clients feel the exactly same way. Your love and compassion seem to know no bounds and the world will forever be changed for the better because of you and the positive energy you spread. So thank you! You frickin rock!"~Client
    "My defiance and need to continuously sabotage my future was compounded with years of substance abuse. Expand Mentoring took me on after other mentors found me very difficult to work with. I grew to have a tremendous amount of respect for my mentor because she exemplified patience & understanding as well as refusing to let me fall short/manipulate my way out of responsibilities. She contributed in the success that I am currently experiencing (I'm holding a part-time job, taking college classes & have developed a better relationship with my family - I never thought this was possible). Without having someone believe in my potential & guide me along, I would still be very lost today."~Client
    "Expand Mentoring's talent and skill in connecting with young adults is without comparison. Over many years working with my mentor, I have watched the mentors form lasting and transformative bonds with even the hardest to reach youths. The mentors are truly gifted at what they do."~Client
    "I've met a lot of people throughout the years of treatment and I think it is safe to say I have yet to encounter somebody as challenging as my Expand mentor. I have also yet to encounter somebody so determined and passionate in their career. I'd forgotten that people were still cheering me on, and my mentor will never let me forget that again."~Client
    "In my experience with treatment and seeking personal growth I have had good therapists and bad therapists, as hard as it is to say more bad therapists or counselors than good ones. Before meeting my mentor for the first time I had never had a "mentor" in the technical sense that she was not a therapist but more of a friend and guidance counselor than anything. In my opinion the reason that my Expand mentor is so good at her job is because she is able to connect with the young adult she is working with. Another reason is her out there style and personality, she is not afraid to share her experiences, whether good or bad for the bettering of you. Personally I met with my mentor twice a week for almost 6 months and even though every time I dreaded going and sitting there with her discussing hardships with my family or talking about my grades in school, she was always there for me. Even though I would never admit this in person, because this is anonymous, she did help me change my view and outlook on life and my family drastically. Without her I sincerely believe my family and I would not be on talking terms."~Client
    "You feel like you've known the guy for years! My mentor is a great guy."~Client
    "In 2010, I made the decision to get help because I was addicted to substances that led me to make poor life decisions. I got the opportunity to work with Expand Mentoring and my life turned around. It was not easy and I left for a period of time, but my mentor helped me make better decisions, fix old behaviors, and I am alive. I have seen my mentor weekly for almost four years now and am grateful to have her in my life. She never hesitates to pick up the phone, she shows up, and she is a smart and amazing role model who has helped me become a better person in countless ways."~Client
    "Mentoring has been vital for me in helping me separate my apathy in the past by instilling a new found desire to succeed."~Client
    "Over a period of three years, my mentor patiently guided me to a healthier, more independent place. The tools and skills I learned from her gave me the confidence to challenge myself and be successful. She was there for me to rely on when I was lost, and her support gave me the strength to decide I wanted a better life for myself. When I was looking in every direction for the answer to, "How do I get better?", my mentor gave me the greatest gift my helping me find it in myself."~Client
     

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