Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
Imagine a lone tree standing firm in a hurricane. Other trees have snapped or even been uprooted, but this tree withstands the winds. Its branches sway, but its roots stay strong. When the storm passes, the tree starts growing bigger and stronger than ever before. This is the picture of...
The video game industry is booming and only getting bigger—experts expect it to be worth over $320 billion by 2026[1]. Even if you aren’t a gamer, you likely know someone who is. Playing video games isn’t inherently unhealthy; many enjoy gaming without adverse effects. However, for some people, gaming can...
Research has consistently found that mindfulness meditation is effective for supporting mental health. It can reduce stress, increase compassion, and even combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. Suppose you don’t have time for a traditional meditation class. In that case, you may want to try mindfulness apps—downloadable tools that offer...
As they say, “The only constant is change.” As much as we might want things to stay stable forever, we will all experience several major transitions in our lifetimes. These life transitions can range from celebratory events to devastating ones, but they all have one thing in common: they impact...
Exercise is well-known as an important habit for physical health. But did you know its mental health benefits are just as powerful? Exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall mental health, and can even be effective against mental health conditions like depression and...
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes severe mood swings. It can be challenging and emotionally painful to live with bipolar disorder, and this condition can have devastating effects when left untreated. But there are effective, research-based treatments that can help. There is hope if you live with...
If you’ve ever heard anything about mental health therapy, you’ve probably heard of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. It’s arguably the most common and well-known therapy method today. It has been proven to be an effective treatment for a multitude of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),...
This article aims to educate readers about vicarious trauma, which occurs from exposure to the traumatic experiences of others, often common among caregivers, healthcare professionals, and even through media consumption. It offers insights into identifying symptoms, understanding their impact, and strategies for managing and mitigating its effects. What is vicarious...
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” New research shows this statement is more valid than we ever realized. Nutrition plays an incredibly important role not only in physical health but also in mental health. The mind and the body are deeply connected. The food you consume—and the...
Just like physical illness, mental illness is caused by a complex combination of factors, including early childhood trauma, neurobiology, environment, stress, lifestyle habits – and genetics. Although researchers are still studying how, exactly, genetics comes into play when it comes to mental illness, they have found many, if not most,...
There is a severe health epidemic happening in America: the widespread epidemic of chronic stress. In the American Psychological Association’s 2023 report, around 25% of Americans rated their stress levels as eight or above on a scale of one to ten[1]. We tend to try to dismiss or ignore stress;...
Burnout is so pervasive in American society today that it’s almost normalized. Three in 5 U.S. employees report burnout, which is even higher in certain professions[1]. Stress and burnout are often dismissed as natural parts of working life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although burnout is very...
Do you ever have nightmares about the Covid-19 pandemic? Or do intrusive thoughts or memories pop up that make it difficult to function? Have you been having difficulty concentrating in the past few years? If so, you may be dealing with pandemic-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several years into the...
Healing Spaces: Creating Environments That Facilitate Trauma Recovery This article explores how designing and creating a physical environment, like a calming and safe living space, can support trauma recovery. Elements such as color psychology, space optimization, and including elements of nature for a healing ambience are all discussed, as is...
What is the connection between the gut and mental health conditions like anxiety? This article gives an insight into how the gut-brain axis can influence anxiety levels and mental well-being and how improving gut health has the potential to alleviate symptoms. The mind-gut connection Increasingly, researchers have been exploring the...
In the wake of unprecedented global events, remote work has shifted to become much more ‘normal’. Far removed from the traditional office setting, the virtual realm has opened new doors of flexibility and adaptability. While the advantages of remote work are huge, it’s important to consider the mental health implications....
As with all transitions from one life stage to the next, menopause can impact mental health in a variety of ways. This article looks at how hormonal changes during menopause can influence mood and mental health, as well as outlining some of the treatment options available. What is menopause? Menopause...
Stigma is when society sees you negatively due to a particular characteristic or attribute. For example, in previous centuries, there was a strong stigma against people with leprosy -- if society knew or noticed you had leprosy, you might be rejected and marginalized. You might need help to maintain relationships,...
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The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: