Hope-&-Stay

06/30/2021

Not to mention it doesn't "belong" to us, it's hard not to judge but thinking about how you don't like being judged!

It’s hard to be nonjudgmental all the time. We automatically make judgments about people from the minute we first see or meet them based on appearance, behavior and what they say. It is important to remember that their behavior is not always reflective of who they are as a person, or is in their control in the first place.

So when you’re trying to be there for a friend or loved one, it’s important to keep an open-mind in order to be supportive.

Nonjudgmental listening isn’t about avoiding all personal judgments – it’s about making sure that you don’t express those negative judgments so they feel comfortable about discussing their issues and to continue the conversation.

Five tips for non-judgmental listening: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2019/08/five-tips-for-nonjudgmental-listening/ #:~:text=Use%20these%20Mental%20Health%20First%20Aid%20tips%20to,mind%20to%20talk%20and%20listen%20without%20being%20judgmental.nk in link in bio

06/02/2021

If you are like me, you were taught in school how using alcohol and/or ma*****na would be the gateway that would lead to the use of “harder” drugs.

This idea was rooted in the theory that any experimentation of substances would automatically result in dependency or addiction.

Yet through my research and clinical work, the one constant that I see in every single person that struggles with addiction is a history of unresolved trauma.

When we experience trauma, the majority of us don’t have the internal or external resources to adequately cope.

So we find things that help us temporarily forget, numb or distract.

Drugs do this perfectly by allowing us to feel more or less when needed, effectively regulating a dysregulated nervous system that the trauma left us with.

A gentle reminder that what we have been taught about “gateway drugs” is outdated and largely inaccurate.

The real gateway drug is and always has been unresolved trauma. 💚

🔃: .christina_

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05/27/2021

Three teenagers opened up to TODAY’s Carson Daly about their mental health, one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. The teens offered some advice for parents ab...

05/17/2021

05/12/2021

The mental illness label is one of the most stigmatizing. Most people with mental illness face stigma at some point from external sources, whether from friends, family members, employers or health care professionals. However, what’s even more damaging is when we internalize that stigma and start believing in the negative stereotypes that have been prescribed to us. This is self-stigma.

The emotional impact of self-stigma can often be greater than the symptoms of our illness itself.

Read More: https://nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/February-2021/The-Many-Impacts-of-Self-Stigma #:~:text=%20Consequences%20of%20Self-Stigma%20%201%20Self-Sabotage.%20Many,of%20the%20most%20common%20examples%20is...%20More%20
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05/07/2021

YOU MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER ONE;

A reminder to take a breath, drop your shoulders, and relax your jaw. Happy Friday!

05/04/2021

This month and every month - let's talk about mental health - break the stigma - know you are not alone.

05/04/2021

More than likely, you know at least one of the more than 51 million people in the United States living with a mental illness. It could be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or someone else. Throughout the month of May, we’ll be sharing tips and resources to help you support the mental health of your loved ones as well as your own mental health.

05/02/2021

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health has never been more important. Visit us daily on social media for inspiration, tips, resources, and articles to help you care for your mental health and the mental health of your loved ones. You can also visit our website – www.PennFoundation.org - anytime for information, resources, tools, activities for kids, and more!