By: Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times In a recent interview with People magazine, former first lady Michelle Obama revealed her struggle with low-grade depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. One might wonder how someone as successful, accomplished and admired as Ms. Obama could be plagued by mental illness. The fact is, depression is a form of mental … [Read more...] about Depression: More than simple sadness
Mental Health
Anxiety and mental well-being
By: Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times If you live long enough, every human being will experience good times, as well as times they would rather forget. There is some truth to the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” If we value wisdom, we can learn and adapt from all of life’s adventures. However, some of life’s twists and turns can lead us … [Read more...] about Anxiety and mental well-being
Mental health is part of total health
By: Jacquelyn D. Heath Special to The Milwaukee Times During a recent doctor visit, I was asked to complete a written questionnaire about any symptoms of illness I may have experienced within the past 30 days. Of the 40 questions on the form, 37 involved situations that concerned physical health issues – such as fever, coughing, sneezing, allergies, blood pressure and pain … [Read more...] about Mental health is part of total health
Gov. Evers, DHS announce $5.7-million in funding for mental health emergency center in Milwaukee
Investment continues Administration's efforts to ensure state rebounds and recovers from the coronavirus pandemic On Tuesday, August 31, 2021, Gov. Tony Evers at a ceremony celebrating the completion of the new Mental Health Emergency Center announced $5.7-million in funding for the new center in Milwaukee. To support the Mental Health Emergency Center, Gov. Evers, together … [Read more...] about Gov. Evers, DHS announce $5.7-million in funding for mental health emergency center in Milwaukee
Simone Biles isn’t alone: Olympic athletes face a mental health crisis
Even before Naomi Osaka appeared on stage to light the Olympic torch, these Games were aflame with the issue of athletes’ mental health. Osaka had inserted it into the conversation in the runup to Tokyo, with her openness about feeling vulnerable and resulting withdrawal from the French Open and Wimbledon. Then Simone Biles made mental health the Games’ biggest … [Read more...] about Simone Biles isn’t alone: Olympic athletes face a mental health crisis
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month – All of Us
By Kathy Gaillard freelance contributor July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It was first formally recognized in May 2008 by the late Bebe Moore Campbell, a best-selling author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. Campbell passed away from cancer at the young age of 56 but not before witnessing the devastation of identifying, coping with, … [Read more...] about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month – All of Us
Seven ways of finding joy in trying times
Throughout history, joy has made cameo appearances in hard times. While imprisoned in a concentration camp, Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl developed the joy and life-sustaining ideas in his influential book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that beauty, art and love need to co-exist amid devastation.* During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, there was a boom in musical comedy … [Read more...] about Seven ways of finding joy in trying times
Self care—handling mental health, stress and trauma
By Sandra Millon Underwood, RN, PhD FAAN Professor, UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing It’s well-documented that stress and trauma can affect our mental state, even in the best of times. But months of anxiety, fear, grief, and social isolation can take their toll on our mental health, particularly during this pandemic. Parents are coping with ensuring their children continue … [Read more...] about Self care—handling mental health, stress and trauma
Putting the ‘Merry’ back into the holidays
By Sandra Millon Underwood PhD, RN, FAAN Professor, UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing Purchasing that ‘perfect’ gift and decorating and cooking for the holidays can become overwhelming—even in an uneventful year. Added to the stress and pressure of the holidays this year is the coronavirus pandemic. However, if we pause to take a breath, and put things in perspective, … [Read more...] about Putting the ‘Merry’ back into the holidays
Are you taking your mental health days off from work?
Even before the “new normal” of working from home, many American workers have been doing the job of two or three people. The days of working on a team have been reduced to being a team of one. Companies have been trying to determine how to increase productivity without increasing manpower. Economists use terms such as “right sizing,” while business executives now commonly use … [Read more...] about Are you taking your mental health days off from work?