Ricky's Retreat

06/08/2026

🪞
​When life gets heavy, our world tends to shrink. We get hyper-focused on our own stress, our own schedules, and our own feelings. It’s a natural human survival instinct—when we are overwhelmed, our default setting is to look inward.

​But if we aren't careful, that temporary survival mode can quietly turn into a permanent pattern of self-centeredness. Without realizing it, we start assuming our pain is the loudest, our time is the most valuable, or our perspective is the only one that matters.

​True emotional maturity and self-awareness mean catching ourselves in those moments. It’s entirely possible to protect your own peace and energy while still holding space for the people around you.

​Let's challenge ourselves to check our blind spots today. Sometimes, the most healing thing we can do for our own mental health is to simply look up, step outside of our own universe, and truly notice someone else.

​

06/02/2026

There's still time to register for our next class!
Mental health is year-round for us! If you would like to join us for the next training, it will be Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), this is a su***de gatekeeper training. Thank you to Trillium! Please click the link to register: 10am-11:30am
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019df34c634274bb940170420c453ed6

05/18/2026

💯
We wouldn't expect ourselves to just "walk off" a broken bone, yet we constantly tell ourselves to just "get over" moments of anxiety, burnout, or emotional distress.

​Here is your reminder today: Your mental health is just as vital, just as real, and just as important as your physical health. Taking care of your mind isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity.

​But let’s be honest about something that trips a lot of us up: perfectionism.

​So many of us carry this invisible weight, thinking we have to have it all together all the time. But none of us are perfect. Life isn't about reaching some flawless destination; it’s about growth, progress, and moving forward—even if it’s just one tiny step at a time.

​When things go wrong—because they will—the goal isn't to never fall. The goal is to stop kicking yourself when you do.

​Instead of beating yourself up in silence, give yourself permission to talk about it. Speak it out loud to someone you trust. Normalizing the messy moments takes away their power.

​Be kind to yourself today. Lower the bar of perfection and raise the bar of self-compassion. You are doing better than you think. 🌱

​

05/12/2026

Join Us for a Conversation on Athlete Mental Health

​Ricky’s Retreat is proud to share a recent podcast appearance by our founder. The Unit3d Podcast, sponsored by the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation, is a platform dedicated to student-athlete mental health. Their mission is to create vital conversations for, about, and by athletes, addressing psychological well-being, mental health, and performance enhancement.

​Joining the discussion is RJ Russell, a first-year PhD student in Indiana University’s Counseling Psychology program with a concentration in Sport & Performance Psychology. RJ brings extensive expertise from his work as a Clinical Research Coordinator for the CARE Consortium, where he researched concussions and mTBIs in NCAA and military populations. In addition to his academic work, we are proud to have him serving as a member of the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Ricky's Retreat.

​His background includes:

​M.S. in Kinesiology (Sport & Exercise Psychology) from East Carolina University.

​B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Bioethics from The Ohio State University, where he was also a varsity Track & Field athlete.

​Extensive experience in individualized mental health treatment, behavioral analysis, and quantitative research.

​Watch the full episode here:

In this episode of the _Unit3d w/ Big Team at Indiana University_podcast, PhD student RJ Russell sits down with Wendy Kidwell, founder of Ricky’s Retreat, to...

05/12/2026

⌚
To the young people struggling to feel seen by their providers: Don't stop advocating for yourself.

​If your five-minute appointment feels like a revolving door, remember that you are the expert on your own body and mind.

​Trust your gut. If you feel like medication isn't the right path for you, or if you feel it’s actually making things worse, speak up. You know your mind better than anyone else does after a five-minute check-in.

​Write down your symptoms and how you feel before the appointment so you don't miss anything in the rush.

​Ask for a longer follow-up or a detailed discussion if you’re concerned about side effects or the necessity of a prescription.

​Lean on peer support or counselors who can bridge the gap and provide the conversation and understanding that a quick doctor's visit can't.

​You shouldn't have to navigate this alone. We see you, we hear you, and we know you need more time.

​

05/06/2026

A HIDDEN CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY. ⚠️

​We are sounding the alarm on a substance that has been quietly flooding our local shops: 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)

​While it’s often marketed as a "natural" botanical, the reality is far more dangerous. We are currently seeing a crisis with this substance due to its powerful addiction and the severe, agonizing withdrawal it causes. Because it is sold without explicit warnings, many young adults and people in recovery have no idea of the risk they are taking until it is too late.

​At Ricky’s Retreat, we believe in the power of truth and the necessity of protection. We cannot stay silent while highly addictive substances are disguised as "wellness" products.

​A product sold at gas stations and v**e shots should not derail a life.

​Please, help us get the word out. Knowledge and awareness are the first steps to saving lives.

​

05/04/2026

Thank you Sandy Schulz Ingram-Realtor for continued support!!

05/04/2026

Mental health is year-round for us! If you would like to join us for the next training, it will be Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), this is a su***de gatekeeper training. Thank you to Trillium! Please click the link to register: 10am-11:30am
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019df34c634274bb940170420c453ed6

04/30/2026

04/30/2026

🎉🎉
We are excited to celebrate a successful first day of training at the house! Through our new partnership with Trillium Health Resources, 16 individuals are now certified in Mental Health First Aid.

​A huge thank you to trainers John and Carlos for sharing their expertise and helping us empower our community. We look forward to many more collaborations ahead!

​