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There are three major factors or influences attributed to causing or exacerbating mental illnesses that researchers have identified: psychological factors, social and environment factors, and biological factors.   First, psychological factors typically encompass early adverse experiences. These include but are not limited to abuse, neglect, abandonment, early loss, assault, or any major trauma that is […]

Warning: If certain mental health topics like su!c!de, $elf-h@rm, or e@ting disorders trigger you, please be aware that this post mentions them. There is no pressure to read this, and your health and well-being come first. Please take care of yourself and your needs.     One of the first things that professionals teach you

In the world of mental health, one of the biggest problems is the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Many who are challenged with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or some type of psychological disorder often believe that no one else is struggling or that they themselves cannot depend on anyone else.   This cannot be farther

On just about every wall of the buildings at my university was a flyer for ACR (Acceptance, Communication, Respect) Homes. At the bottom were cuts with little slips of paper that you could rip off with information on how to apply. Like most students, I had walked by these flyers hundreds of times without stopping

The phrase “Empathy vs. Sympathy” is a phrase that may or not be familiar to you. Moreover, many people are confused by the slight differences between empathy and sympathy. I know I have spent a lot of time and effort trying to piece my way through them. Here is my understanding of the difference. Imagine

In just about a week, we will hear these words from the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom: Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together!                               

I graduated college in May 2020. The coming months were some of the most formative of my life thus far. I became a nationally certified athletic trainer after passing the Board of Certification exam. I spent a great deal of time with family and friends. I joined my home parish’s young adult ministry board. And,

It’s interesting to think about the boundaries that exist all around us.  There are many necessary reasons why houses have walls.  Fences take their place around almost all back yards.  Housing complexes have gates.  Within houses, there are rooms.  We can make a much longer list than this. How can we speak to the purpose

It is the need and desire of every human being to be acknowledged.  Whether we consciously recognize it or not, we all want someone to be interested in us.  We want to be valued and welcomed into conversations.  We want people to ask us what we think and agree with our thoughts.  We want to

A crucial aspect of serving others is putting time and energy into our own physical, mental, and spiritual needs.  One common way of thinking about this is the “full cup” metaphor, which goes something like this: we must first fill our own cup so that we have energy and love to pour out onto others.