By Phyllis Rittner | Feb. 21, 2018 As a mental health advocate, I’ve listened to many brave souls share their stories about living with mental illness. I’ve also chatted with concerned parents who are seeking help for their recently diagnosed child. But what do you do if you have a mental illness,...
By Steven Swink, M.A. | Feb. 16, 2018 In 1985, psychologist James W. Pennebaker theorized that the effort it takes to hold back our thoughts and feelings serves as a stressor on our bodies. By confronting these thoughts and acknowledging our emotions, we can reduce the stress and negative impact on our...
By Jordan Lally | Feb. 12, 2018 Five years ago, my father fell into a deep bout of depression. Twelve months later his depression culminated in suicide. I’m careful not to say he “committed” suicide, because it was clear to me, having spent his final year on this earth close by his side, that...
On the first Saturday of every month since April 2016, the basement at Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) in Charlotte, North Carolina transforms into a drop-in center called Providence Place. If you drop in one of these mornings, you might meet a student who just came from an art class,...
Most people will experience depression, or extreme sadness, at some point in their life. It’s the pain you feel when you lose a loved one. It’s the emptiness that lingers while going through a difficult breakup. It’s the lack of fulfillment during a period of unemployment. Depression is a natural...
Sometimes, Disney gets dark and emotional. There is a scene in the 1968 film, “The Love Bug” where Jim Douglas, played by Dean Jones, ditches Herbie the Love Bug and buys a brand-new Lamborghini. Heartbroken, Herbie smashes his front end against the Lamborghini repeatedly and then takes off through the...