Teenagers need time alone. It is essential to their cognitive and emotional development. However, time alone can be hard to come by when families are staying home and there is little private space. I want to share the story of a teenager I know. James is 17 and...
One of the great things about being an adult is getting to choose when we want to try new things. Sure, everyone else is watching Mrs. America or Tiger King, but you? You’re going to binge watch all seven seasons of Buffy. For the eighth time. You might temper that...
We’ve all heard the term, but what exactly is mindfulness? How can it really help me? Mindfulness and relaxation practices have been around for ages, but in recent years have gained attention for their calming effects on people of all ages. Being mindful is...
Hopefully you read part 1 of this article and came back for more tips! Managing stress is personal to all of us… what works for one may not work for another. The tips listed are general suggestions that people have reported helpful in the past. What helps you manage...
Stress and anxiety are likely a part of your new normal during this pandemic, and it makes sense. Any way you look at it, this is a stressful time. People are losing their jobs, people can’t see their friends/loved ones, food shortages in grocery stores, where there...
CHRIS 180 applauds today’s Supreme Court decision affirming that LGBTQ and transgender people are equal under the law. Based on Congress’ landmark civil rights bill passed in 1964, the Court recognized that our nation’s anti-discrimination laws apply to all people,...
The world is completely chaotic right now. Everyday something changes. Abnormal is the new normal and for many of us the uncertainty of it all is making it hard to be optimistic. Yes, even those of us irritatingly happy people have found it hard to remain hopeful at...
Who would have thought the brutal murders of several black men and women would, after so many years, bring out millions of people to rally for the value of all human life -- especially black lives --and to protest police violence and injustice?? Who would have...
I am deeply affected by the recent horrible, racist acts that claimed the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and far too many others in the black community. Over the past few days I’ve spent time thinking about what I want to share, from my heart. I...
I am new to the CHRIS 180 family, having worked for some time at the now closed Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, I now work at the CHRIS Counseling Center – DeKalb. The counseling center has been in my life since I came to Atlanta for seminary and hospital...
The month of April was difficult for me, both as a human living in the age of a global pandemic, and as a bereaved daughter. April 13, 2020 marked what would have been my mother’s 70th birthday. We lost her suddenly just over four years ago. This was the first year...
“I’m getting really tired of being alone,” a friend said, tears flowing down her face. “I’m angry I don’t get to have my graduation ceremony,” a high school student confided. “I’m disappointed we can’t go on the cruise we’ve looked forward to for a year,” someone...
The Atlanta Journal Constitution featured CHRIS 180 on the cover of the paper Sunday, May 17 and in an online story, highlighting our efforts to meet the growing need of children, adults and families during the COVID-19 crisis. Read the article.
It is 2 am, you are awake, and your mind is racing. You do not understand how it is you can still be awake. You had a long and exhausting day, you were too tired to even eat dinner. You could not wait to take a shower, and just fall into bed, so you did. That was five...
We’re all feeling it. We’re all thinking it. How much longer will this be our reality? What can I possibly plan for today that will feel different than yesterday? Remaining in our homes for extended periods of time is something we’re all trying to adjust to. Kids...
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many families into a work-from-home model almost overnight and it’s been that way for over two months. This unexpected event for which we were unprepared has created stress in many homes. Parents are seeking a solution to being with...
The COVID-19 crisis has been marked by a relentless and sometimes unreliable exposure to news. We are living in the presence of uncertainty, without a sense of direction for recovery. We say “I don’t know” more than not, yet we want to discuss this time of our lives....
Time is an interesting thing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just ask Spiderman. Days run together,we’re trying to keep our anxiety in check,many things are at a standstill,we’re dedicating time to making sure our basic needs are metand we have extra jobs, like teacher...
COVID-19 has become a thing. It has permeated our daily lives. It has become a driving force in our decision making, our work life, school life, social life and even our home life. Most of us can’t remember the first time we heard the terms, COVID-19 or novel...
Why? Why did this have to happen? Why me? When we don’t have answers to impossible situations, a human response is to cry out, “why?” Why did my dad get COVID-19? Why can’t I see my parents trapped in a nursing home? Why? And when we don’t have an answer to “why,” we...
Welcome to the CHRIS 180 blog! We are glad that you are here and hope that hearing from our clinical experts and talented staff will be helpful to you as you navigate through this difficult time. If we can name our difficulties, we can manage them. Our community is...
