”Activity and depression don’t like to live together.” Robert Wicks Article By Therese Borchard at Everyday Health A woman on my depression community, recently asked me this: “You exercise daily and eat the right things. You research and write this stuff for a living. But what about those of us who can’t get out of […]

Article in Kanabec County Times: http://www.moraminn.com/news/farmers-face-mental-health-challenges-with-little-support/article_74bc40c0-5e24-11ea-8e3d-9ba5dc057a90.html By University of Minnesota News Jeff Bender, with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health’s Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH), talks about unique challenges farmers face that may affect their mental health, signs someone may be struggling with their mental health and resources available. Q: […]

Many older Veterans find they have PTSD symptoms even 50 or more years after their military experience. Some symptoms of PTSD include having nightmares or feeling like you are reliving the event, avoiding situations that remind you of the event, being easily startled, and loss of interest in activities. Changes that come with aging can […]

Answer From Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D. Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in your blood pressure. If those temporary spikes occur frequently, such as every day, they can cause damage to your blood vessels, heart and kidneys, as can chronic high blood pressure. In […]

Stress management starts with an honest assessment of how you react to stress. You can then counter unhealthy ways of reacting with more-helpful techniques. By Mayo Clinic Staff It’s hard to avoid stress these days with so many competing demands for your time and attention. But with good stress management skills, you can cope with […]

Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored. Get help as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor. You can also learn more by visiting www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention You’re not alone. Confidential help is available for free. For Crisis Help, Lifelines, Peer Support and […]

“… depression is not a choice, though both ignorance and stigma are.” Morning mantras are a thing. Enlightened people wake and set the day’s tone with phrases like “I am enough” or “I chose abundance.” For the better part of two years I woke and swore: depression’s mantra. Sometimes I sort of groaned it with […]

Well-meaning friends or family members may try to tell someone with depression to “snap out of it,” “just be positive,” or “you can be happier if you just try harder.” But depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. Most people with depression will benefit from treatment and will need it to […]

Do you constantly have disturbing uncontrollable thoughts? Do you feel the urge to repeat the same behaviors or rituals over and over? Are these thoughts and behaviors making it hard for you to do things you enjoy? If so, you may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which […]

NPR Article by Rhitu Chatterjee, Photo by Meredith Rizzo Priscilla Bogema lives in a rural town called McGregor, Minn., in a part of the state that has more trees and lakes than people. She came here about 20 years ago seeking solitude during a major crisis in her life. She had just gotten divorced and […]

This year, harness the power of optimism to manage stress. Discover possible health benefits, how to identify defeatist thinking and more. Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided. By Mayo Clinic Staff Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old […]

Chronic stress can be bad for your body and mind. It can put you at risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, stomachaches, headaches, anxiety, and depression. Using relaxation techniques can help you feel calm. These exercises can also help you manage stress and ease the effects of stress on your body. How […]

Photo by Taylor Grote on Unsplash Staffed by peers MN Peer Support Connection Warmline operators are available seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. By Andy Steiner | 12/23/2019 Feeling her anxiety rising, a Minnesota woman picked up the phone. It was the middle of the night, and she was certain that […]

Kanabec County Times By Jennifer Kotila moraminn.comDec 25, 2019 Veterans who find themselves facing criminal charges as a result of behaviors instigated by combat- or service-related trauma will soon have an opportunity to access specialized services. The Pine, Isanti, Chisago, and Kanabec (PICK) counties Veteran’s Treatment Court is a trauma-informed program that meets veterans where […]

Once Again And Seemingly Out Of Nowhere, At Least For Me, The Holidays Are Upon Us. Lights and decorations, food and family, parties and presents. To paraphrase the classic song from A Charlie Brown Christmas, “The holidays are here. Happiness and cheer.” Though many would argue that “bah, humbug” is much more reflective of their […]

Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. […]

Grief doesn’t magically end at a certain point after a loved one’s death. Reminders often bring back the pain of loss. Here’s help coping — and healing. By Mayo Clinic Staff When a loved one dies, you might be faced with grief over your loss again and again — sometimes even years later. Feelings of […]

What is rumination? Has your head ever been filled with one single thought, or a string of thoughts, that just keep repeating… and repeating… and repeating themselves? The process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, which tend to be sad or dark, is called rumination. A habit of rumination can be dangerous to your […]

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a type of feeding and eating disorder that’s now recognized as an official diagnosis. It affects almost 2% of people worldwide and can cause additional health issues linked to diet, such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Feeding and eating disorders are not about food alone, which is why they’re […]