“The winter woes, Seasonal Affective Disorder, joyless January, cold and dark…” These are just a few of the words and phrases that might initially come to mind when someone is asked to describe the winter season. A YouGov.com survey found that only 10% of Americans...
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for many. But for some of us, it can stir up difficult emotions, unresolved grief or complicated family dynamics. It's important to be mindful of the fact that not everyone is going to experience the holidays the...
Grief is a deeply personal journey, often accompanied by feelings of isolation and confusion. When we lose someone we love, it can feel as though the world suddenly shrinks, leaving us alone with our sorrow. This is where grief support groups step in, playing a...
Are you considering getting a pet? If not, well, you might want to! An American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly poll found that 86% of pet owners said their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health. While owning a pet comes with great...
Are you one of the 29% of adults who made a New Year’s resolution related to your mental health? Or are you among the 25% expected to feel MORE stress in 2023? Indeed, a lot can cause stress in our lives – continued inflation, increased cost of living and an uncertain...
Human Trafficking is a public health issue that impacts more than 27 million people worldwide and according to Covenant Rescue Group Atlanta has the second highest rate of Human Trafficking in the United States. Every January, we observe National Human Trafficking...
Each new year, many of us contemplate ways to become the best versions of ourselves and reach our goals. We make resolutions to start taking our health seriously by joining gyms and eating healthy. However, we may overlook one important factor that can improve every...
With the transition from summer to fall, we anticipate the dropping temperatures and begin to prepare for colder nights and shorter days. As the green leaves fade and turn to pigments of yellow, orange, and red—we think about all the changes the new season brings. For...
Has there ever been a moment when you hear a song and it sums up that particular moment perfectly? Maybe you’ve connected to a song so much that you just had to get up and move. Possibly you’ve been painting and had chills go through your body? The beat of a drum, a...
In a digital-first world, it is very important to be aware of not only what bullying looks like but also the impact it has on the children in our community. National Bullying Prevention Month was first established in 2006 to expand awareness to the consequences of...
The death of a parent is a traumatic event that can leave a lasting impact on those who have lost their loved ones. Losing a parent to suicide can be even more traumatic than losing a parent from natural causes. Studies from the Department of Psychiatry at the...
While it may still feel like summer outside, the rumble of school buses and displays of school supplies at every store are a sure sign the new school year is in full swing. As students go back to class, they also must adjust to early mornings, new classmates, teachers...
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increase in mental health issues like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder found in women. According to a study at the University of Chicago Medicine, “29% of women reported symptoms of...
Often when the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is used, it is associated with members of the military, especially war veterans. As times change and people become more familiar with trauma and its impact on each of our lives, we are starting to recognize...
Michelle’s Story When Michelle lost her housing, a friend told her about CHRIS 180 and our Drop-In Center. The Drop-In Center provides a range of free services for youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness. These services include meals, life coaching, job and...
Children are small people with very big emotions. Although they can show you what they are feeling, most children have yet to attach a name to their feelings and have not learned healthy ways of dealing with their emotions. As children grow, they face many challenges...
Valancia Abdullah considers it her calling to care for youth who some may think of as “challenged.” After working with special needs students at Atlanta Public Schools, in 2000, she joined CHRIS 180’s foster care program. She serves as a Resident Assistant. The kids...
Over and over I’ve heard people remark that they were so ready for 2020 to be over. And with the start of the new year, we are all looking forward to a better 2021 - a new beginning, a path to recovery. At the same time, there just might be some things that we...
‘Tis the season to pause and reflect on the past year as a new one approaches, and oh what a year it has been! 2020 started off as a promising new decade, with exciting goals, dreams and resolutions. But as we all know, a few months into it, all our hopes and plans...
If this year has taught me anything, it is that there is a lot of stuff I cannot change. That realization has brought on frequent feelings of powerlessness, helplessness and frustration. It has also sometimes brought about anger, sadness and a downright desire to just...
Many women can often feel like we have the world on our shoulders. We often carry not only our stress but the stress of our loved ones and those closest to us. Often, women can feel isolated, unsupported, and even depressed because of various challenges. Over time,...
