Category: recovery
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What We Know About Youth Mental Health Visits to the ER
The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research It’s well-established that youth mental health has suffered in recent years—with wide-ranging factors contributing to the problem including the proliferation of social media among young people and the isolation created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that 44 percent of U.S. high-school students feel persistently sad…
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Recent Drug Addiction Statistics for Boston and Massachusetts
Baystate Recovery Services Massachusetts is ranked #8 in the rate of drug-related deaths that occurred in 2019, reports the CDC. That year, the state had 32.1 drug-related deaths for every 100,000 residents. Heroin is the top illicit drug of use in Boston and the entire state. Plus, it has contributed to thousands of overdose deaths in…
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To Reach Goals, Make a Plan
Marisa T. Cohen PhD, LMFT Although we may set goals such as learning a new language, finishing work projects on time, and organizing the closets, we don’t always complete them. While the difficulty of the goal and the motivation we have for embarking on our goal-achieving journey may influence our ability to reach what we…
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How to Protect Against Undue Influence Online
Steven A Hassan PhD The potential for undue influence has become increasingly significant in this era of digital interconnectivity. Undue influence can distort our perceptions, manipulate our decisions, and sometimes jeopardize our autonomy and mental health. As an expert in cults and mind control, I’ve studied and fought against the deceptive tactics cults of all…
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30 Low-Stress Jobs for People with Anxiety
Summit Malibu For people who are naturally anxious, trying to find the right employment fit can be scary and intimidating. If recruiters advertised “low-stress jobs” in their hiring promotions or even the “best jobs for people with anxiety,” it would make the job hunt much easier for so many people. There’s no shortage of individuals…
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Understanding Emotional Abuse
John Kim LMFT The damaging effects of emotional abuse can often go unnoticed. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse leaves no visible scars, making it harder to recognize and address. However, its impact can be just as detrimental, affecting an individual’s self-esteem, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Emotional abuse refers to a pattern of behaviors…
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Recognizing Our Barriers to Self-Compassion
Bernard Golden, Ph.D. “Taking this program will be transformative.” That’s what I was told when I registered for Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP), a 10-month program offered to psychotherapists by the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, which was founded by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff. I had previously become acquainted with their work through reading their books and attending…
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How Alcohol Affects Sleep
Shelby Harris Psy.D. Many of us have been there: After a long day at work, we’re looking for something to help us wind down, and many of us might reach for a glass of wine or a favorite cocktail (even more so on the weekend). The majority of Americans report drinking alcoholic beverages, and as is the…
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Why We Get Bored and How to Overcome It
Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D. People seek out novelty and excitement. We explore, discover, and create. At the same time, we all experience moments of boredom. Whether it’s during a long meeting, a tedious task, or a lazy afternoon, boredom can have negative effects on our mood or energy levels and leaves us feeling…
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Why Mattering Matters
Susan J. Noonan MD I recently came across an interesting project based at Temple University that I believe resonates with many people, including me, and is particularly relevant to those who experience social isolation, loneliness, depression, and suicidality. The project comes from the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities and is entitled “You Matter… But What…