Blogs

First Generation Student

Kayla Vargas Aug 26, 2024

The life of a first-generation student is a triumphant one! Hold on, before you continue. I must introduce myself. My name is Kayla Vargas. In this blog, I’ll tell you my story as a first-generation student. The life of a first-generation student is a triumphant one but sometimes it can feel isolating.

Alcoholics Anonymous: A Reflection on Peer Support and Solidarity

Meaghan Haddix Jun 24, 2024

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship that was founded in 1935. The fellowship serves individuals who are struggling or have struggled with alcohol addiction. AA operates under its main principle of mutual aid and support.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Questions to Ask Behavioral Health Providers

Jun 6, 2024

As we honor LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it is important to acknowledge the health inequities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ behavioral health which embraces both mental health and well-being. This blog explores how you can advocate for your well-being when seeking behavioral health services as an LGBTQ+ individual.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Dr. Kehler Apr 8, 2024

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month we are provided the opportunity to listen and honor survivors in our community. It is a time to show those who have been impacted by sexual assault that they are not alone, and we hear them. It is a time to educate yourself about sexual assault and the stigma associated with these acts. It is a time to start the change in how society treats victims of sexual assault. It starts with you.

Self-Injury Awareness Month

Katie Wakeman Apr 1, 2024

March is designated as Self-Injury Awareness Month to highlight self-injury which is often misunderstood, not discussed, or simply suppressed. It can be difficult to understand self-injury and it is a challenging topic for many to discuss. So, we welcome you to delve deeper into this topic with us. This blog is dedicated to casting light on this misunderstood and stigmatized issue by providing insights, resources, and support for those who may be struggling with self-harm or are seeking guidance on how to help loved ones struggling with self-injury.

Therapy that Activates Joy and Healing

Feb 29, 2024

As Recreational Therapy Month comes to an end, it is important to reflect on the many ways this therapy impacts individual well-being and wellness. Recreational therapy uses music, games, and crafts to promote healing. It focuses on mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual functioning by organically integrating these activities into the week. Are you still wondering, what recreational therapy is?

Social Well-Being: The Importance of Having Healthy Relationships

Claudia Robertson Feb 14, 2024

Ah, relationships! We love them. We hate them. We are challenged by them. So why do we need them to be well socially? Social well-being is defined as the ability to interact in a healthy way with those around us. This involves having supportive friends and family, the ability to develop deep connections, and communicate in healthy ways. Social well-being is one of the 8 dimensions of wellness.

Does End-of-Life Mental Wellness Matter?

Claudia B. Robertson Aug 29, 2023

Quality of Life: One’s satisfaction with life in terms of self-concept, hopes for oneself, health, functional abilities, and socioeconomic factors (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020).

The Mental Health of Arabs in the USA

Jul 14, 2023

For this video, I am going to share with you common myths about mental health challenges and facts based on research that addresses these misconceptions.

The Big Tobacco Boulder

Priscilla Cho Apr 27, 2023

This is Dave. Dave has been smoking for the last 25 years and has also been struggling with depression and anxiety. He wants to improve his health but feels like he is tied down by his addiction to tobacco.

The Change Process: A Social Work Model

Hannah Brewer Apr 18, 2023

In the world of Social Work, there are many frameworks and theories that professionals use with clients in their treatment plan. The change process, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in the late 1970s, is a model that allows healthcare professionals to meet the client where they are in their readiness to change. This is essential for supporting behavioral health clients as they work toward change.

Removing Mental Health Stigma: The Power of Person First Language

Hannah Brewer Mar 6, 2023

The stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health challenges keeps many people from seeking the help they need. This stigma can be felt in painful instances of stereotyping, prejudice, and/or discrimination. One way to help de-stigmatize mental illness is by using person first language (PFL).

What Is Trauma and Why Does It Matter?

Hannah Brewer Feb 28, 2023

Individual trauma is an event or circumstance resulting in physical harm, emotional harm, and/or life-threatening harm. The event or circumstance has lasting adverse effects on the individual's mental, physical, emotional, social, and/or spiritual health. (1) Trauma can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

A Jack In The Box- Living With PTSD

Priscilla Cho Feb 27, 2023

I’m a jack-in-the-box, safe and secure in the confines of my box. Sadly, this safety and security are short-lived. Outside the box, the crank is constantly turning, turning, and without warning, I’m thrust into an intense rollercoaster of fear, guilt, and anger.

Legislator as an Occupation and You!

Claudia B. Robertson Feb 22, 2023

Why should you care about the health and well-being of your legislators? The legislative session is in full swing in Kentucky. The schedules senators and representatives keep during this time are long and the issues discussed may impact you personally. Could your legislator’s occupational balance affect you? Try applying the seven domains of occupational science to legislator as an occupation and see!

Plants as Magic!

Madelyn Strong RN, BSN Jan 24, 2023

One day, about five years ago, while resting and eating the previous night’s leftovers with my college roommate and lifelong friend Abby, we came across a video on how to take old candle jars and turn them into pots for plants. We boiled the leftover wax, removed it from the old candle jars, and set them aside. Then, we visited a local home improvement store.

Social Workers and Nurses Partnering in Hospital Settings

Hannah Brewer Dec 20, 2022

For hundreds of years, there has been a dynamic duo in the hospital setting: the social worker and nurse. A healthy partnership between social workers and nurses is vital as they both provide effective, holistic care. Here are 7 key elements of the partnership between social workers and nurses that contribute to positive patient outcomes: 1. Partnering in Patient-Centered Ethical Duties