Protecting Your Mental Health During the Holidays

Holiday decorations with "Holiday Season" tiles.

The holiday season is often pictured as a joyous time, full of family bonding and festive cheer. But for many people, it can also bring a range of mental health challenges, including grief, depression, and anxiety. Let’s take a closer look at common mental health challenges during the holidays and some key strategies for protecting […]

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder: Recognizing Symptoms and Finding Solutions

A snowy train platform with a train arriving, surrounded by buildings and a few pigeons.

Many people may be familiar with the term, ‘winter blues,’ a mild feeling of sadness or fatigue that occurs during the rise of the winter months. However, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is much more than just the ‘winter blues.’ It’s a clinical condition that significantly impacts many individuals, causing sadness and fatigue as the days […]

Managing Academic Burnout: Signs, Prevention, and Recovery for College Students

Empty lecture hall with wooden seats.

Academic burnout is a growing concern among college students, and it’s affecting their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Balancing the pressures of exams, assignments, social obligations, and often, part-time jobs can push students to the brink of exhaustion. When this happens, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of burnout and take steps to […]

How to Cope With Grief

Lit candle with black background.

Grief is a profound, complex emotion that touches everyone at some point in their lives. Whether stemming from the loss of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or any other major life transition, grief can significantly impact our mental health and overall well-being. Understanding grief and exploring healthy ways to cope with […]

The Bolting Horse of Life: An Encouragement to Rest and Restore

Two horses galloping through dust in a landscape with trees, captured in black and white.

By: Keturah Platt, PhD I can remember vividly a phone conversation that I had with my mother during my first year in graduate school. It was a typical day where I was venting to her about the amount of stress that I was feeling being in a clinical psychology doctoral program. I expressed that I […]

Strategies for Overcoming Loneliness

A person sits on a bench gazing at a peaceful sunrise or sunset, evoking tranquility and contemplation.

With 8.2 billion people on our planet, billions of text messages sent each day, and a global average of 143 minutes on social media per day, we are connected in more ways than ever before. In fact, it can be hard to disconnect — on the surface, at least. In our interior lives, it’s a […]

Teen Depression: How to Support Your Child

A person sits on the floor in a dimly lit room, appearing contemplative or distressed.

In the journey of adolescence, teenagers navigate a tumultuous sea of emotional, physical, and social changes. The teenage years are a period marked by exploration, identity formation, and — unfortunately, for an increasing number — the challenging waves of depression. Teen depression is not just a phase or a mood swing; it’s a serious mental […]

Impacts of Social Media Use

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By: Katrina Whitford   Social media platforms have gained immense popularity since the early 2000s, and these platforms have become a major part of many individuals’ everyday lives. As a result, researchers have been studying the impact of social media on mental health. Various studies have suggested that social media usage has both negative and […]

Best Practices for Stress Relief

A person stands alone on a pier overlooking a calm sea under a bright sky, creating a serene and contemplative scene.

By Dr. Grace Ahn-Im, PsyD Stress is a ubiquitous part of modern life, whether it comes from work, society, relationships, or other sources. That’s why it’s important for us to understand how to deal with stress. However, this can be easier said than done. If you’re unsure about stress management, you’re not alone. The 2023 […]

Understanding and Managing Anxiety

The word "ANXIETY" spelled out with Scrabble tiles on a scattered tile background.

By Dr. Grace Ahn-Im, PsyD Anxiety is a common and natural response to stress — a warning system that alerts us to danger. However, when anxiety becomes constant or overwhelming, it can interfere with daily activities, signaling the presence of an anxiety disorder. Understanding anxiety and its types, symptoms, and available treatments is crucial for […]