Please keep in mind that these resources are meant to serve for those who lack access to therapy or aren’t finding the help they need, but this is not meant to replace therapy or many professional mental health care. If you’re able to, pairing your own self care and education with therapy is an incredible method to healing. <3

Suicide Awareness Lexes O'Hara Suicide Awareness Lexes O'Hara

What Happens When You Call the Suicide Hotline (And Other Questions You Might Have)

What is it like to call the suicide hotline - and all of the other questions you may have about it. Calling can be vulnerable and intimidating when you're struggling with your mental health or any other crisis. Here are some of the most common questions you might have about calling 988! If you're wondering whether you should call, this will help you decide - and give other alternatives as well!

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Confidence & Self-Esteem Lexes O'Hara Confidence & Self-Esteem Lexes O'Hara

How can you prove change IS possible when you don’t believe in yourself?

Both mental health and confidence are deeply intertwined — our mental health can have a significant impact on our level of confidence, and vice versa. For instance, when we struggle with anxiety or depression, its challenging to feel confident in ourselves and our abilities. The good news is that you can build confidence despite any mental health struggles and if you’ve been stuck in the cycle of try-and-try-and-try-again, despite how hard you work towards your goals, then this is for you: let’s dive in.

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How to Make Friends in Your 20s When You Struggle with Social Anxiety: I’ll Walk You Through the Steps

Do you find yourself in situations where you’re hanging out with a group and feeling like the complete outsider? Literally everyone around you is clicking naturally and forming connections, and you’re likely in your head spiraling. You're not alone! For many young adults, social anxiety can feel like an invisible barrier, making it difficult to build meaningful relationships in their 20s. This struggle is absolutely real and valid, and it can leave us feeling disconnected and disheartened. The good news: it's possible to break through that barrier and thrive in your social life. Today we’re diving into strategies and tools to help you tackle social anxiety head-on, and hopefully change your social life.

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Self Care & Well-Being Lexes O'Hara Self Care & Well-Being Lexes O'Hara

How to Reconnect with Your Mind & Body This Spring: Let's Discuss the Power of the Sun & Great Outdoors

To connect with your mind and body means that you’re focused on becoming more aware, in tune, and integrated with your physical, mental, and emotional states of existence. Spring is the best time for renewal, growth, and change. As the weather warms up and the flowers *spring* to life, it truly feels like the perfect time for us to reconnect with our body and minds.

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Self Care & Well-Being, Productivity Lexes O'Hara Self Care & Well-Being, Productivity Lexes O'Hara

The Power of Cold Showers for Mental Health and Self-Care: Benefits, Science, and Practical Tips

Cold showers have become a popular trend in recent years! Many are opening their minds to this practice as a form of self-care and a way to improve mental wellbeing and health. Today we’re exploring why cold showers are so highly promoted for improving mental health, along with how to incorporate them into your own self-care routine!

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How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Your Anxiety and Depression: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to start a conversation about anxiety and depression with someone you trust in this helpful blog post! It's tough dealing with these conditions alone, but talking to someone supportive can be one of the most effective ways to cope. This post takes you through the steps you need to follow to navigate these conversations, from identifying the right person to talk to and preparing yourself emotionally, to planning what you want to say. With these tips, you can open up about your mental health in a safe and comfortable environment and get the support and encouragement you need to manage your symptoms and work towards recovery.

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Mindfulness, Mental Health Awareness Lexes O'Hara Mindfulness, Mental Health Awareness Lexes O'Hara

The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: How It Rewires Your Brain for Happiness

Mindfulness can transform your life by rewiring your brain for happiness. It activates brain regions associated with attention and emotion regulation, strengthening neural pathways and enhancing connectivity. Practicing mindful breathing, body scan, loving-kindness meditation, and mindful movement can improve emotional regulation, sleep quality, and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

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How to Create a Personalized Mental Health Safety Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn why a mental health safety plan is essential in managing mental health crises. Personalized and step-by-step, these plans outline coping strategies and resources to manage emotional distress and crisis situations. With a safety plan, individuals can be proactive in preventing crises, reducing self-harm, and promoting recovery. In this post, you'll find the essential elements of a mental health safety plan and how to create one for yourself. Having a safety plan can be a valuable tool for anyone who wants to prioritize their mental health and be prepared for potential challenges.

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Breaking the Stigma: Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid to Try Medication for Mental Health

Learn the truth about anti-depressants for mental health: Despite significant advances, many myths and misconceptions exist. In this blog post, we explore the benefits and risks of medication, the honest realities of trying it, and why we need to overcome the fear and stigma of anti-depressants to seek help. Discover how medication can regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep, and find out why medication is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's time to break down the stigma surrounding medication for mental health and encourage individuals to seek help for their mental health struggles.

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Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: Understanding the Key Differences

One in four people globally will experience mental or neurological disorders in their lifetime. Mental health and mental illness are two different concepts that are important to understand. Mental health refers to a person's state of well-being, where they can cope with stress, work productively, and contribute to their community. Good mental health is essential for overall well-being, and strategies such as regular physical activity, mindfulness, sleep, and a healthy diet can help promote it. Mental illness refers to a wide range of conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior, and require professional treatment. Understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness can help reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek help when they need it. Mental illness is not a personal failing but a medical condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Empathy towards others can be developed through understanding the difference between the two concepts. Maintaining good mental health can help reduce the risk of developing mental illness.

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The Power of a Social Media Break: How It Can Improve Your Mental Health

Social media is pervasive in our lives, but overuse can harm mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. Taking a break can improve mental health and wellbeing, reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance face-to-face communication. Challenges include FOMO, habit-breaking, and social pressure. Tips include setting clear goals, starting small, replacing social media with other activities, communicating with loved ones, and being kind to yourself. Afterward, reintroduce social media slowly, set boundaries, and unfollow unhelpful accounts. A social media break can enhance connections and wellbeing.

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Mental Health Options for Low-Income Individuals: A Comprehensive Guide

Low-income individuals may struggle to access mental health services, but there are options available. Medicaid covers mental health services, and community mental health centers and nonprofits may offer low-cost or free options. The Affordable Care Act also provides insurance options. Sliding scale and online therapy are affordable alternatives. Free resources include mental health apps, crisis hotlines, and self-help resources. Find the best fit for your needs and financial situation by exploring different options…

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Mental Health Awareness, Teens Lexes O'Hara Mental Health Awareness, Teens Lexes O'Hara

Tips for Parents: Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health

This article provides tips for parents to help their teenagers struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. To support their child emotionally, parents need to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where the teenager can express their feelings. Parents should encourage openness about mental health, validate their child's feelings, and suggest seeking help from a trusted adult, such as a mental health professional. Giving the teenager space is also important to allow them to express their emotions in their way. Additional homework assignments or activities for parents include a family fun day, daily routine planning, a gratitude journal, and creating positivity posters with their teenager. Supporting the child in building their independence and encouraging self-care practices will help them recover gradually.

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How to Set SMART Goals for Your Mental Health

Improving mental health requires setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound - SMART goals. These goals help break down larger objectives into manageable steps, keep motivation high, and promote accountability. This post defines SMART goals and provides examples for mental health concerns, along with a step-by-step guide for setting them. By the end, readers will have the necessary tools to set and achieve their own SMART goals.

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Confidence & Self-Esteem, Self Care & Well-Being Allegra Taylor, MSW BSW RSW Confidence & Self-Esteem, Self Care & Well-Being Allegra Taylor, MSW BSW RSW

A Therapist's Advice for Defeating Your Inner Self-Critic

Your inner self-critic, constantly telling you that you’re unworthy, lesser than, shameful and flawed. To some degree we need an inner critic; this voice should act as a check and balance, helping us to reflect on our actions and beliefs so that we can move through our lives with intention. We are not born with a voice in our heads telling us how terrible we are. Rather, this is a voice that grows over time, and the more we listen to it, the louder it becomes until it eventually drowns out any semblance of pride or inner peace.

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Self Care & Well-Being Lexes O'Hara Self Care & Well-Being Lexes O'Hara

How to Nourish Your Mind: The Importance of Nutrition for Mental Health

Research indicates that the food we eat has a significant impact on our mental health, and a poor diet can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Conversely, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants can improve mental health and cognitive function. Good sources of these nutrients include fatty fish, flaxseeds, leafy green vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Conversely, diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods are associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders. These foods can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, leading to crashes later on, leaving one feeling tired and irritable. In addition, processed foods are typically low in essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Alternatives to sugar and refined carbs include whole grains and natural sweeteners, while a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is associated with a reduced risk of depression and anxiety.


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Therapy Lexes O'Hara Therapy Lexes O'Hara

How Much Will Change in Just One Month of Therapy?

You’re getting curious about trying therapy and you ended up here. You’re in the right place - today we’re going to talk about how long it takes for therapy to “work” and the several factors that goes into the recovery and healing process. An important part of the PYE project is to help individuals access therapy by providing one month for free. Because of that, we wanted to share how much can change in one month of therapy, as well as a realistic idea of the true recovery time.

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Anxiety, Depression Lexes O'Hara Anxiety, Depression Lexes O'Hara

Music Impacts How Your Brain Processes Anxiety and Depression. Here’s What to do About it.

Can sad music make depression worse? Does happy music make you happier? Today we’re going to dive deep into multiple studies that not only give insight into how music impacts the brain and mental health, but how it can potentially impact your depression and anxiety as well… for better or for worse. Are you aware of how your music has music been impacting you?

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Anxiety, Depression, Productivity Lexes O'Hara Anxiety, Depression, Productivity Lexes O'Hara

23 Mental Health Goals to Set in 2023: Goals that Also Decrease Anxiety & Depression

2023 is still fresh upon us and there’s plenty of time to set mental health goals and intentions for the year. But it also doesn’t need to be a new year to set new goals; if health and wellbeing is an area you would like to improve, these mental health goals and ideas may also have direct benefits on your life by decreasing levels of depression, anxiety, and high stress.

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