by Rev. Michael Heath | Aug 1, 2022
There is good news for those who worry about the stigma associated with mental health.
The amount of stigma surrounding counseling is much less than it used to be. When I first started counseling in the late 70s, some men would not schedule appointments during daylight hours for fear of being seen going to a counselor’s office.
Although attitudes have improved, many people still view getting help with emotional problems as embarrassing or even shameful. In large part, this discomfort is due to certain lingering myths about mental health. Common myths created misunderstandings about psychological disorders and their treatment. Here are some common notions which are misleading and or false:
by Rev. Michael Heath | Dec 15, 2020
Where to begin ? 2020 has been an absolutely horrible year for so many with increased social and racial tensions, violence, economic ruin, sickness and death all under the never ending threat of the COVID virus. Indeed, these have been depressing times. Worse, the unexpectedly long duration of this plague has worn down the our resolve and exhausted our energy and dampened the joy of the holiday for many . This year depression is not simply a clinical diagnosis. For many it is a daily reality.
Nonetheless, the end of the year has brought signs of hope. We have new president who acknowledges the reality of the viral threat and is committed to waging a vigorous and unified attack against the disease. Most importantly, the arrival of effective vaccines will mean that the end of the devastation and death is in the foreseeable future.
Whether you suffer from depression which pre-existed COVID or whether life over the past few months has simply become too much, here are some tips to help you cope with the holidays and make it to the new year:
by Rev. Michael Heath | Dec 17, 2016
A lot of brain research has been in the news lately but this one really is a “big deal” ! For those who have who suffer from treatment resistant depression and who maybe considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) this research and, specifically,...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Jun 15, 2015
Here is a great link from Web M.D. that lists 18 triggers for depression that you might not have recognized and which become more potent as we age. 1. Midlife 2. Overload 3. Low vitamin B 12 4. Low testosterone, lowered libido 5.Thyroid disorders 6. Arthritic pain...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Aug 13, 2014
Robin Williams’ tragic death has shocked and saddened us all. Today we want to use this tragedy as opportunity to shine light on the serious disease of depression. It is important to know that, even in this day and age, there is much confusion and ignorance...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Aug 14, 2013
1)What is Post Partum Depression, how common is it? PPDD is technically known as a major depressive disorder with post-partum onset. This condition is a mood disorder which also has physical symptoms and impairments. It usually occurs within the first four weeks...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Aug 18, 2024
Recently, a client who had made significant strides in recovering from childhood trauma reported that she was puzzled by feelings of melancholy when thinking about her abusive parents. She noted that, although she no longer felt angry at her abusive father and her...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Jun 19, 2024
Recently, you may have heard that the Surgeon General of the United States urged Congress to place a black box warning label on social media. We’ve all seen them before on various prescription bottles as well as on all tobacco products.
In this case, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told Congress that the labels are needed because compelling evidence shows that children who watch more than 5 hours of social media a day are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to those who did not.
In addition, studies reveal that kids who are heavily involved in social media like Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok develop poor body image and self-esteem. The constant exposure to perfect bodies and amazing accomplishments posted by their peers leads kids to experience a false sense of inferiority and inadequacy. Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov
Many folks have been concerned about the long-term effects of smartphones and social media on child development for years., However, the conclusions of repeated studies regarding the impact of social media on a child’s mental health are clear. SMART PHONES AND TEENS | Pastoral Counseling Syracuse NY (revmichaelheath.com)
Admittedly, smartphones and social media have become integral parts of modern life. Thinking that children can be protected from any exposure is unrealistic. That said, there are basic steps that parents can take to reduce exposure and thus minimize this risk for their children. Here are some tips to consider for your family:
by Rev. Michael Heath | Jun 3, 2024
Recent studies reveal that people are having less sex. For single folks under 40, more than half haven’t had sex in a year. This trend is also reported among married folks as well. Americans Are Having Less Sex, So Experts Say It’s Time to Shift Our Focus From...
by Rev. Michael Heath | Mar 17, 2024
This week marked the fourth anniversary of switching my counseling practice from in-person to tele-therapy. This change was due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond changing the way counseling is delivered, COVID-19 affected mental health in a variety of ways.
Multiple studies agree that COVID raised anxiety and depression levels in America and around the world. COVID-19 pandemic triggers a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide (who. int)
Much of the mental distress came from supply shortages and emergency measures instituted to protect public health. As a consequence, these changes resulted in the loss of jobs and increased social isolation.
While working and learning remotely from home was necessary, the isolation created unexpected emotional and relational problems. Getting help to deal with these issues is further complicated by persistent myths about mental health counseling:
