Resources - Adult Mental Health

There Is No Right Way to Grieve

Last summer my mom passed away. She was sick with cancer for a long time, so in theory, I had plenty of time to prepare for her passing. And yet, I will tell you now, there is no way you can ever prepare for the loss of a parent. While I grieve, I have learned that the stages of grief don’t always apply to every instance of grief or loss, and I will explain why.

The Power of Empathy in Making Meaningful Connections

Empathy is a critical part in what makes us human: the ability to understand things from another person’s point of view helps us to better understand each other. It’s vital in creating safe spaces for our friends and loved ones to feel understood, making it an essential part of mental health care. 

When Mental Illness Doesn’t Improve

Caring for a loved one with severe and long-standing mental health issues can be challenging and emotionally draining—especially when traditional treatments fail to bring relief. Mental health is rarely straightforward. If you are navigating this terrain of seeking different solutions, here are a few practical steps to help you move forward.

Understanding Mental Health Crises: What You Need to Know

We all go through hard times with stress being a normal, even positive part of daily life. But, what happens when the stress becomes too much for a person to handle? Recognizing when a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis is vital in getting them the proper care they need. Whether you’re experiencing it yourself or supporting someone else, knowing what a mental health crisis is, how to recognize one, and how to respond, can be life saving for yourself and your loved ones. 

Supporting the Caregiver in Your Life

April recognizes National Stress Awareness Month. While stress is a common topic in the workplace, it is often overlooked in discussions around caregiving – whether that is for new parents, an adult caring for an elderly family member, or a professional in the caregiving field. If you are looking for ways to support a caregiver in your life, here are some actions you can take to help ease their stress and be an important resource for them.

Embracing Random Acts of Kindness: Their Significance and Practical Ways to Include Them in Your Life

Love and kindness should go hand in hand, and random acts of kindness are scientifically proven to positively impact yourself and those around you. Making the choice to be kind and focusing on compassion, not just for others but for yourself, can have a huge impact on mental health.

How to Pack Your Suitcase for 2025

The new year is in full swing, with this time of year being filled with optimism and hope, and feelings of a fresh start. It can also be a time of anxiety and uncertainty. To help yourself and your loved ones move successfully into the new year, we’re giving you tips on how to pack your theoretical suitcase filled with the good things for the new year. 

Dealing With Driving Anxiety

While winter can make us want to hibernate and stay home, there are days when we still must get out, run errands, and travel. In the Midwest, that means being prepared to drive on snowy and icy roads. Despite many of us being used to driving in the winter, drivers can still feel anxiety, dread, or even full-on panic at the prospect of driving in such conditions – or just driving in general, no matter the weather. For many who’ve been in car accidents or with an anxiety disorder, those feelings of dread and panic can be exacerbated. 

A Defense of Winter and the Custom of "Hygge"

A year ago, I came across the Danish custom of “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-gah”). “Hygge” doesn’t have an exact translation in English. According to the New York Times article where I first came across the term, a close translation is “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” The feelings I experience in winter of safety, comfort, and community are in line with hygge.