Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
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,...
We tend to approach physical and mental health as an objective concept – governed by evidence and science. With medical research, we have identified and classified various mental illnesses, laid out their symptoms, and developed evidence-based treatments. But beneath the surface of this “objective” understanding lies an often overlooked dimension:...
Do you feel lonely? Do you wish you had more deep social connections in your life? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. Loneliness and social isolation rates have steadily been increasing for decades, and we’re now experiencing what experts have termed a social isolation epidemic. Despite being constantly...
How Does Hormonal Birth Control Affect Mood and Mental Health? Many people get mixed information about hormonal birth control and mood. Some people claim they felt depressed while taking hormonal birth control. Others say they started taking hormonal birth control to manage symptoms of PMS-related depression. Hormonal birth control and...
If you live with a chronic illness like migraine, diabetes, or heart disease, then life is already hard enough as it is. The physical symptoms of your disease may affect your day-to-day life in a very real way. But what’s not as commonly discussed is the way these chronic illnesses...
Have you ever heard of the “gig economy”? Many of the people you see around you every day are gig workers. Rideshare drivers, food delivery workers, house cleaners, and more work “gig to gig,” the number of gig workers is growing daily. Reports show more than a quarter of the...
The Psychological Impact of Chronic Pain: Strategies for Managing Your Mental Health If you live with chronic pain, then you already know firsthand how it can significantly affect your mental health. People who experience chronic pain, no matter the cause, are much more likely to also live with mental health...
Have you ever felt like you’re somehow “tricking” everyone around you into believing you’re competent? You might feel like, any day now, you’ll be uncovered for the fraud you are. Everyone will realize you don’t deserve any of your accomplishments – that you’ve simply skated by on luck. These feelings...
Have you ever been laid off from a job or worried you would be? You probably went through a lot of emotions, like fear, anxiety about your financial future, and maybe even feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. You’re not alone: Almost all of us feel that way when our job...
What role does spirituality play in your life? Some people may identify strongly with one religion; for example, if you’re a follower of Christ, then you might go to church every week or study the Bible. Others don’t belong to a particular church but may think a lot about the...
When you begin experiencing symptoms of a mental health issue, one of the first things on your mind could be: “How should I tell my family and friends?” Many of us find it easy to talk to loved ones when times are good – but may falter when the going...
Did you know that interacting with dogs and other animals can have a positive effect on individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues? Most people are familiar with seeing-eye dogs or guide dogs, trained to support blind and visually impaired people to go about their day....
Financial worries and mental health are closely interconnected, often influencing each other. This article examines how financial troubles contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, along with recommended coping strategies. What is financial stress? Financial stress is the emotional and psychological strain arising from money, debt, and financial...
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The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: