Janet Melvin's Wellness Resources

Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings, and behave, but sometimes people experience a significant disturbance in their mental functioning. A mental condition may be present when patterns or changes in thinking, feeling, or behaving cause distress or disrupt a person's ability to function. A mental health condition may affect how well you maintain personal or family relationships, function in social settings, perform at work or school, o

September is suicide prevention/awareness month. It is no secret that suicide results in significant social and physical problems. Years of research on suicide have primarily concentrated on the risk factors for suicidal behavior while ignoring protective factors like resilience that could aid in addressing this critical public health issue. The ability and dynamic process of overcoming stress and adversity while maintaining normal psychological and physical functioning is kn

Substance use disorder (SUD), often known as drug addiction, is an illness that affects a person's brain and behavior, resulting in an inability to manage the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances like alcohol, opiates, marijuana, and nicotine are also classified as drugs. When you are dependent, you may continue to use the drug despite the consequences. SUD can begin with the trial use of a recreational substance in social contexts, or to help mitigate under

A clinically significant impairment in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior defines a mental disorder. Generally accompanied by distress or impairment in critical areas of functioning. There are numerous kinds of mental diseases. Mental disorders are often known as mental health problems. In the early years of the twenty-first century, there was a global epidemic of poor mental health and related disorders. However, while depression is the most commonl

This country finally signed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday in June of 2021. “Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday” (History.com, 2023). However, while slavery has come to an end the a

Although they both fall on the same spectrum as unpleasant emotions and have the propensity to trigger strong reactions, shame, and guilt have distinct meanings. What is SHAME? Shame preys on our feelings or the perception of ourselves. It produces thoughts that target your value, self-worth/self-esteem, such that one thinks negatively about themselves. Our surrounding environment and social circle may either confirm or reject these unwanted thoughts. Often, we are our worst

To empower means to grant official authority or legal power, to make/give someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. Control over one's own life and equality of access to society are two characteristics of empowerment. Women's empowerment is the process through which women acquire power and equal opportunities to engage in personal, social, and economic undertakings, contributing to society in all spheres on an equal f

In a culture that promotes kindness , selflessness , compassion and putting others before yourself, can create placing oneself as a lower priority or value . Loving oneself is either taught as having the modest opinion of yourself , having an inflated opinion of yourself, or lesser opinion of yourself. These opinions may vary for each individual. For example , a person might think of him /herself as very modest in beauty or appearance but have a conceited opinion of their int

It's normal to experience a sense of anticipation and opportunity when we start a new year. This is a new beginning, an opportunity to let go of the past and welcome uncertainties. Change can be extremely gratifying, but it can also be frightening. New beginning can help you break bad habits, accomplish goals, get rid of toxic elements, or even start living a healthy lifestyle. It all depends on how you organize your goals for fresh starts. A fresh start is always exciting, i

The holidays are centered around the themes of family and community. However, for some the holidays may be extremely challenging as many may be mourning the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of job or any other number of misfortunate events. Celebrations could highlight how alone people feel. If this is your first holiday season since loved one passes away, you must be asking if you should continue traditions while you are grieving. Grief manifests its

Let's say your employer sent you an email about a task that needs to be done. Automatically, a physical response known as the fight-or-flight response is triggered as soon as your body and mind react. Your muscles tense up, your breath becomes more rapid, and your heart rate increases. While thinking to yourself, "I'm going to get fired if I don't finish this," you work late into the night to complete the assignment in order to control your anxiety. What transpires, though, i

Do you feel more depressed than you should during the winter? Maybe in the fall? Its crucial to understand that depression levels might fluctuate as we approach the season of fall months. Temperatures begin to fluctuate as well as the length of daylight when the seasons change. Lower levels of sunlight are present during the winter and fall, and this can directly affect our moods and level of energy. During the colder months, If you find it difficult to get out of the bed and

Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July or July 4th, in the United States, is the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. One year later, on July 4,1977 , Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. The custom eventually spread to other towns, both large and small, where the day was marked with proce

Gratitude is a healthy choice that benefits both you and others. When you show gratefulness, you have the ability to connect with others, practice empathy, and be nice to yourself and others. You are creating a positive energy that the world sorely needs right now. Even among those who are already battling with mental health issues, the feeling of being appreciated increases pleasure and promotes both physical and psychological wellness. According to research, practicing grat

Young individuals have been disproportionately affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a systematic, deep, and disproportionate impact in young people. Young Adults aged 18 to 24 who were employed prior to the outbreak are now unemployed, and those who are employed have reported reduced hours and income. Students opinions of their future career prospects are grim and young people around the world are becoming increasingly unsure about their future. The COVID-