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Sleep is Essential to our Mental Health

July 19, 2022

Working on your sleep hygiene is something to take seriously and be intentional about. According to Helpguide’s resource on getting better sleep, try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. This helps set your body’s internal clock and optimizes the quality of your sleep. Choose a bed time when you normally feel tired, so that you don’t toss and turn.

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Keywords: mental health, sleep

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month

July 4, 2022

Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day. Our country is known as a melting pot because of the important role immigration and diversity has had on our history. July is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mental Health Month. This year’s theme for BIPOC Mental Health Month is #BeyondTheNumbers. 

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June is LGBTQIA Pride Month

June 8, 2022

It is important to recognize the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ members of our community. According to NAMI, LGB youth are more than twice as likely to report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness than their heterosexual peers. Transgender youth face are twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning youth.

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Keywords: lgbtqi,  pride

Holistic Care

April 25, 2022

Being mentally healthy requires us to take a holistic approach. As Mr. Miyagi said in the 1st karate kid movie, “our whole life is a balance”. We need to make sure that we are taking care of our mind, body and spirit. We do that through activities and exercises that connect us to those domains of our life.

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Mental Spring Cleaning

April 18, 2022

As we watch things start to grow and enjoy more and more daylight, it's a good time to recommit ourselves to our mental health care. Do some mental health spring cleaning.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 6, 2022

Everyone has a role to play in preventing or being an active bystander in instances of sexual assault. There are many different ways that you make a difference.

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Seek Connection and Balance

March 28, 2022

During times of high stress we are more likely to engage in unhealthy or addictive behaviors. We can easily get caught up in spending all of our mental energy focusing on how menacing our world is. The message we are getting right now is “You should be afraid and hypervigilant.” Worry becomes easy.

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Keywords: balance, connection

Executive Director of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center has been appointed to the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage

March 15, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike Dewine has appointed Ashland County’s Jerry Strausbaugh, EdD, LPCCS, Executive Director of Appleseed Community Mental Health to the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

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Keywords: cswmft board

Keeping Your Brain Strong

February 28, 2022

When we set these boundaries with others and have much-needed time for ourselves, remembering to spend that time in a positive way is important. It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk, but one way to improve your mental health is to talk to yourself rather than listen to yourself. Too often we listen to ourselves and hear complaints, self-doubt, fear, and negativity.

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February is Black History Month

February 21, 2022

February is Black History Month, and I believe it is important to highlight important ideas from Black leaders that support your mental health. The U.S. is and has been made up of the stories of countless individuals who have unique life experiences. Validating someone’s story by honoring their life experience as true-important-and meaningful is essential to-a healthy mature self esteem. You have the power to make someone else know they matter. 

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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February 10, 2022

Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault.  Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year.  Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.

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Building Resiliency in Our Children

January 26, 2022

It is important for us not to judge others' reactions to the fear and stress they experience. Everyone is living the ongoing pandemic differently and everyone has different levels of coping. Strive to be more forgiving and open to the differences and needs of others. Together we can move through the difficulties, fears, and anxieties we are experiencing, and with each other's help, we can find hope and healing from this international ongoing pandemic

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Keywords: children, resiliency

January is Stalking Awareness Month

January 18, 2022

Being stalked is a frightening and traumatic experience. SPARC reports that stalking victims suffer much higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and relationship issues than people in the general population. One thing you as a community member can do is become an ally for those who are experiencing stalking. Offer to assist them in finding resources or accompany them to local law enforcement to seek a protection order. Reinforce that they deserve to be in a healthy relationship where personal boundaries are respected.

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Keywords: awareness, stalking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.

January 11, 2022

According to HumanTraffickingHotline.org, human trafficking can happen to anyone, but we also know that some people may be more vulnerable than others.

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Smarter Phones, Struggling Minds

January 3, 2022

A  recent research study has found that over the past two years, as we try to cope with all of the disruptions and changes related to  COVID-19, cell phone and social media use has skyrocketed. Social media is a way to stay in touch with friends and family. Owning and using a mobile phone is almost necessary in our culture with many occupations requiring smartphone accessibility. Sixty-nine percent of adults and 81% of teens use social media–so what does that mean for our brains?

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Lessons Learned

December 21, 2021

The supermarket might provide the ham for the table and the ribbon to tie up boxes, but a designer purse or an XBox gift card won’t offer our kids the same valuable gifts that will keep hearts happy beyond the New Year.

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Keywords: gift, lessons learned

Hope for the Holidays: Tackling Triggers and Resisting Relapse

December 15, 2021

For many of us, the holidays are a season of peace, joy, gratitude, and family, but reality often looks quite different...Family dysfunction, past trauma, anxiety and other mental illness, loneliness, finances, grief--these are only a few of the stressors that can quickly pile up for anyone during this time of year. For those people living with a substance use disorder, these many stressors may compound and overwhelm the addicted brain and the person in recovery, making it an especially difficult time of year to stay sober.

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Keywords: holidays, relapse

Manage Your Holiday Stress into Positive Purpose

December 6, 2021

The way we celebrate the holidays causes stress, current events are stressful, and COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc on our communities’ mental and physical health. Ask yourself… How are you sleeping? Do you feel a sense of panic? Do you have racing thoughts? Are any bad memories replaying themselves? If your answer to any of those questions was yes, your body is having a stress-response to the things that are causing fear or worry in you. While so many of our stressors may be out of our control, we can still be intentional about our exposure to controllable stressors and how we manage our responses to stress. According to the Good News Science Center, repeatedly consuming negative news stories is detrimental to your health. It keeps you in a constant state of alert (stress!), which is damaging to your body. It can lead to distrust and negative feelings about other people and communities.

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Keywords: holiday, stress

Gratitude Goes beyond Thanksgiving

November 25, 2021

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and the readiness to show appreciation and return kindness. Harvard Medical School writes, "The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Gratitude encompasses all of these. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what you receive...tangible or intangible.

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Keywords: gratitude, thanksgiving  |   0 comments

This is World Kindness Week

November 13, 2021

Research shows that performing acts of kindness positively impacts mental health by increasing the neurotransmitters in the brain that make us feel satisfied and good: Acts of kindness can  increase the hormone that makes us feel connected to each other and helps us trust each other, ”A study in the journal Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science found that people who practiced a-kindness-mindset lowered their stress hormones by 23%. Try practicing random kind actions towards others every day and see what a difference it makes.

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Keywords: kindness, mental health

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

October 4, 2021

If you are in a circumstance in which you are being abused and anyway physically, emotionally, verbally, or sexually reach out for help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233. Visit www.safehavenofashland.org for more information about Ashland County domestic violence resources. 

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Reducing Anxiety

September 15, 2021

The delta variant, vaccine mandates, and other news is creating a heightened sense of anxiety for all of us. One way to reduce anxiety is to engage your hobbies and interests. In tense times, it’s important to double down on the hobbies and interests that nourish your spirit. Often, it’s these things that define us as individuals and bring meaning to our lives. Whether it’s playing a sport, caring for a pet, an artistic or musical endeavor, home improvement projects, or spending time in nature, make sure you are engaging in these essential activities as it strengthens your ability to cope with the stress of difficult times.

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September is National Recovery Month

September 6, 2021

Recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Often underneath an addiction is the experience of childhood trauma in the form of abuse, neglect, loss, or lack of a stable home life. People use substances to cover up the pain that results from the memories. If you are experiencing an addiction to drugs or alcohol please reach out for help.  Healing is absolutely possible and there are caring people ready to help you on that journey.

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Keywords: recovery

August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2021

Governor DeWine has declared August 31 Overdose Awareness Day. If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs of any kind, you already know that recovery is going to require change. You may fear both the physical and emotional withdrawal you'll experience from not having the substance... Recovery is within your reach. There are amazing medical and behavioral health supports in our area that will help you be successful. The first step is to talk to a safe and trusted support person, and tell them you need help. Take that first step and you'll find there are caring people who will go the rest of the journey with you.

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Keywords: overdose awareness

Back to School

August 25, 2021

This school year is starting off with more COVID challenges. There are a couple things we, as parents, need to keep in mind to help ourselves manage the stress and not pass our anxiety on to our kids. The first-to remember is, modeling is the greatest form of teaching... so ANXIOUS PARENTS MAKE ANXIOUS KIDS. This leads to my second point... parents, you need to practice your own mental-health-self-care. Take time every day to talk to your closest friends, read, exercise, or engage in your favorite hobby. By recharging your battery you’ll be able to share your calm with your children.

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Keywords: back to school

August is Back to School Month

August 18, 2021

The 21-22 school year is beginning. This can be a time of anxiety and fear for many. Starting a new grade or at a new school brings many uncertainties. Uncertainty is a part of life. Rather than fear new experiences, learn to manage your anxious thoughts.  Practice expressing your fears out loud or on paper. Journal, write letters, or share your feelings and frustrations with people you trust.  Find new and positive ways to look at the changes ahead. You will get through this and be a stronger, wiser person on the other side. 

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Keywords: august, back to school

August is Family Fun Month and Getting Ready for Kindergarten Month

August 9, 2021

It's important for parents to know that helping your children grow up emotionally-healthy does not require an advanced degree. Parents or caregivers: you have all you need to help your kids grow up emotionally resilient. Giving them structure, encouragement, pointing out their strengths, and openly showing them your unconditional love will go far in them becoming healthy-mature adults. If you're struggling as a parent, don't be afraid to ask for help. Programs like Appleseed’s SPARK program or your local Help-Me-Grow program are designed to help you be successful. 

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July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July 12, 2021

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The American Counseling Association writes: Minority Mental Health Month is a nationwide effort developed by Mental Health America to “shed light on the multitude of mental health experiences within Black, Indigenous, People of Color and others that face disproportionate inequities due to systemic barriers and historical adversity.” Marginalized, oppressed, and disenfranchised people have unique concerns, trauma, stress, obstacles, and challenges because of historical experiences, cultural differences, and social disparities.

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Forgiveness

July 5, 2021

What is forgiveness? According to the Mayo Clinic forgiveness involves “a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.”  It is not forgetting the act that hurt you. However, forgiving can lessen the offense’s hold on you and take away the remaining control the person who hurt you has on you.

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Keywords: forgiveness

Appleseed reaches GuideStar’s highest Seal of Transparency for the Third Year in a Row

June 30, 2021

Appleseed earned the 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, a service of Candid. By sharing metrics that highlight the progress that Appleseed is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios.

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Keywords: guidestar, transparency