The Mental Health Connection
It’s at this time of year, especially, we must think of those who are suffering and give our support. As an exhibitor in the Navy SEAL Foundation's fifth annual Whole Warrior Health Impact Forum in La Jolla last month, we were reminded of this fact. It was an outstanding event, focusing on the role of military culture and how we care for and connect with our military community. The presenters were leading experts in their fields, presenting evidence-based approaches to evaluation and treatment across all spectrums of physical and mental health, including suicide prevention and PTSD.
I encourage everyone to register and join us for next year's Navy SEAL Foundation conference. The entire event is free,
When it comes to helping people with a mental health condition get through the holidays with less suffering, there is much each of us can do. It could be donating food to a homeless shelter, inviting a lonely neighbor over for Thanksgiving dinner, or just lending an ear to someone who is especially troubled this time of year.
We all have much to be thankful for, including those who are distraught and may find it challenging to be grateful. Helping others who are suffering to see the many things they have to be thankful for may be the best kind of giving of all.
Read "It's Not Always Easy to be Grateful" in this newsletter for more insights.
Happy Thanksgiving
Annette Conway
PsyD CEO
Help Therapy
November is Adoption Awareness Month
As we reflect on all we have to be thankful for this time of year, adopted children and their adoptive parents share thankfulness for each other.
In 1976, Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis initiated the first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care. This idea grew in popularity, spreading across the nation.
Then in 1984, President Ronald Reagan made the first National Adoption Week proclamation. In 1995, the week was expanded by President Bill Clinton to a month due to its popularity.
During November, organizations, businesses, communities, families and individuals celebrate adoption as a beneficial way to build families. The month also includes National Adoption Day (Saturday, November 20th, this year), where courthouses across the nation finalize thousands of adoptions simultaneously.
It's Not Always Easy to be Grateful
Throughout the year, it’s easy to fall into the trap of looking at what we don’t have and what we want. We compare ourselves to others—friends, family members, celebrities… If we spend time on social media, we’re bombarded with posts, pictures and ads flaunting the latest supposed successes of people who have easily lost weight, made thousands of dollars with little effort, bought their second vacation home... It can be challenging, especially for those suffering from a mental health condition to recognize all the positive things in their lives and be grateful. Maybe we don’t have the perfect body. Perhaps we’re struggling to afford the basics, unable to imagine spending money on anything like a vacation. The holidays are a time of loneliness and despair for many, especially now with all that’s going on in the world. But Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful. A key component of gratitude is recognizing the blessings that already exist in our lives. No matter what our situation is right now, we have much to be grateful for. Remembering this makes us happier and able to face the holidays calmly and maybe even enthusiastically. [READ MORE]
A Few Words of Wisdom from Glenn Putnam Goodlove
Glenn Putnam Goodlove began his professional life in 1962 as a school social worker, college professor and clinical social worker in Long Beach, California. Then in 1994, he joined Home-Based Effective Living Professionals as a Clinical Social Worker and served clients in San Diego County for the next 25 years. He also served Veterans and their families through virtual sessions before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. He’s now planning to retire and wants to share a few things he’s learned along the way. Glenn believes that health and well-being are achieved from getting adequate sleep, making healthy nutritional choices, exercising, having loving relationships (with people or pets) and finally, living with an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for what you have. He believes that positive self-talk can replace feelings of guilt and shame from childhood and reduce the effects of fear and anxiety. Glenn believes positive change can come from the self-discipline of engaging in regular health-promoting practices. These practices include diaphragmatic breathing, mindful awareness of thoughts and feelings and planning and taking actions to achieve health and well-being. Lastly, he believes that practicing loving-kindness with compassion for oneself and others may provide healthier and safer relationships and ultimately save our environment.
This Month's Tip
Thanksgiving Joy
In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of Native American allies. It’s considered America’s first Thanksgiving. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. In 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November, and here it remains. Here are a few words of Thanksgiving joy today:
Let our lives be full of both thanks and giving.
Count your blessings.
It’s turkey time.
There’s always room for seconds.
Get your pie on.
May the wishbone snap in your favor.
Keep calm and gobble on.
"Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”
— Fred Rodgers
Featured Practitioner
Danielle Lucia, LMFT
Danielle Lucia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the San Diego and Riverside County areas. Her specialties include Crisis Intervention, Trauma, Youth, SMI/SED, Anxiety, Family Therapy, CBT, Emotionally Disturbed Youth and the Veteran Population.
She’s worked with the San Diego Sheriff's Department’s psychiatric emergency response team (PERT), responding to mental health-related 911 calls and also with active duty Marines and their families at Camp Pendleton.
Danielle’s current focus is on working with Veterans and First Responders, as she feels they are very underserved populations who deal with a lot of trauma.
Events
International Stress Awareness Week
November 1-November 5, 2021
See The International Stress Management Association for more information.
San Diego Psychological Association Fall Conference
November 6, 2021
See SPDA for more information.
Anti-Bullying Awareness Week
November 15-19, 2021
See Stop Bullying for more information.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
November 13- 21, 2021
See HHA for more information.
International Day of Tolerance
November 16, 2021
See United Nations for more information.
International Survivors of Suicide Day
November 20, 2021
See AFSP for more information.
Giving Tuesday
November 30, 2021
See Giving Tuesday for more information.
Partner With Us
Are you a psychologist, LCSW or LMFT?
We’re always looking for exceptional mental healthcare providers. Visit helptherapy.com for more information and fill out the quick and easy application.
Benefits:
Stream of new patients
Billing off your plate
Flexibility and Freedom
Credentialing assistance
No hidden costs
Do you have something to share?
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