Mental Health

Millennials, Suicide, Overdose, and COVID-19

Millennials have been suffering from a health decline in recent years, experiencing higher rates of depression, suicide, and drug overdose than the previous generation. A number of factors have been implicated in this decline, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put them in the spotlight: Millennials are dealing with a poor job… Read More

The Digital Dilemma: Avoiding Online Pitfalls

By Anna McKenzie Without question, social media has increased our exposure to both the positive and negative aspects of social life. At their worst, these platforms have arguably created the potential for addiction as well as harm to our mental health. Likes, comments, and shares — seemingly indicating approval… Read More

Putting Social Media in its Place

Social media. It’s hard to imagine that there was ever a time when it didn’t pervade almost every aspect of our lives. Personal, professional and everything in between, social media is here to stay, so we’d better find a way to live with it. The question is, how do we master our use of social media, rather than letting it master us? Read More

Separating Fact from Fiction: Putting Peer Pressure in its Place

Peer pressure is a strong motivator. Wanting to be liked or fit in can cause you to push boundaries — sometimes without considering the risk to your safety or any future consequences. Those things are a small price to pay for acceptance, right? That kind of thinking is what keeps your parents awake into the wee hours. Read More

Scars: What Lies Beneath; Emotional Abandonment

When we think of trauma we most often think of incidents that are blatant and acute, visible and sudden, such as a natural disaster or a car wreck, mass shootings, or acts of terrorism. But some people experience trauma as more subtle and chronic that present in the form… Read More

Bullying and the Internet: A Synergistic Impact

By Dr. Claudia Black Today’s young adults, 18 to 26 years of age, are facing an escalating mental health crisis. One in five is suffering from a diagnosable mental, emotional, and behavioral disorder. Depression, substance abuse, social anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation are experienced at alarming rates for those of this young age. Read More

New Blog about Triggers by Clinical Director of Rio Retreat

When Current Events Trigger Your Past Trauma By Dr. Georgia Fourlas, LCSW, LISAC, CSAT-S Clinical Director of Workshops Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows Most people have dealt with some form of trauma in their lifetime. Some have sought professional help, while others relied on their family and friends’ support… Read More

Understanding the Addictive Mindset

People are surprised when they hear that I used to be an addict. I’ve been told I don’t fit the “cookie cutter mold” of what people expect an addict to be. My home life wasn’t horrible and to the outside eye, I probably seemed like a lucky kid. Sometimes I just tell… Read More

The Connection Between Your Fuel and Your Mental Health

When you think of management of your mental health, what comes to mind? Maybe you meditate or take yoga, perhaps you participate in group activities to stay connected to others, or maybe you focus on getting enough sleep. Do you ever think of the role food plays in all of… Read More

Frozen Tears: Processing Hidden Losses

Grief is normal, it is a direct result of attachment and love. There is really no one-size-fits-all approach to grief. Still, normal grief tends to follow a pattern, whereas complicated or what psychologists refer to as disenfranchised losses can go underground and truthfully never get processed at all. This is… Read More