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Posts Tagged ‘guest commentary’: December 2015

five smiling women stand together arm in arm

What Not to Say to Someone with Breast Cancer

October 30, 2023
The American Cancer Society uses the term “survivor” to refer to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, no matter where they are in the course of the disease. Being a breast cancer survivor has opened my eyes to how...
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two young women walk outside on a path and talk

Bringing Mental Health Awareness to Teens in Rural Communities

May 17, 2023
I always thought I knew the best way to have a conversation with people. I have three kids, so I thought I knew how to communicate well. But in 2017, after a colleague and I attended a Youth Mental Health...
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three smiling people look at a presenter

Take Your Own Advice: A MHFA National Trainer’s Lived Experience

May 12, 2023
I started my mental health journey when I was hired at a Centerstone of Illinois clinic as a residential support specialist in a group home setting. This felt like the perfect opportunity for me — I’d always been interested in...
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teacher works with students in a classroom

The Key to Helping Students: Listen with an Open Heart

May 1, 2023
I work at an alternative school for middle and high school students. To say my training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is helpful would be an understatement. It’s so useful, in fact, that I’ve taken the training twice...
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closeup of American flag patch on army fatigues

Giving Reassurance to Veterans on Veterans Day

November 9, 2022
This Veterans Day, it is important to remember that not every service member experiences Veterans Day in the same way. In fact, some prior service members may not consider themselves veterans at all. This is especially common for service members...
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smiling older adult and her smiling caregiver walk down a hall together

Support Caregivers with Mental Health First Aid

November 2, 2022
November can be a time for s’mores, warm hoodies and crisp air. For me, it’s also a time to reflect, educate, recognize and honor the more than 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. These individuals passionately support family (89%...
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closeup of a line of police officers

Mental Health First Aid in Action: The Importance of the Follow-up

October 28, 2022
What we say and do in response to the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge can have a tremendous impact on the perceptions, actions and outcomes of all involved. That’s really true for public safety...
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boys basketball team texting from the bench

What Student Athletes (and Their Coaches) Need to Know About Mental Health

October 18, 2022
In my sophomore year of high school, I took the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) course as part of my gym class, and my number one takeaway is that mental health is just as important as physical health. This...
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man and woman hugging warmly

Compassion and Mental Health First Aid

October 10, 2022
With World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, it’s more than fitting to ponder how compassion shows up in the world around us and what it looks like when it does. Where do we witness compassion on a regular basis?...
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woman walks a fluffy white dog through an orchard of cherry blossoms

Living My Values

October 3, 2022
As a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainer who is on the road and in virtual training spaces regularly, I am one who talks about the importance of centering wellbeing and self-care often. Like many in my courses, work and...
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circle of people holding hands raised in the air

Supporting a Loved One During National Recovery Month with Mental Health First Aid

September 26, 2022
September marks National Recovery Month, an annual observance to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who...
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a veteran in a wheelchair hugging their children

Supporting Veterans and Service Members on Memorial Day

May 27, 2022
Throughout my Army career, I carried a piece of paper folded in the breast pocket of my uniform with a list of the names of the 35 soldiers killed in my brigade during my first deployment to Iraq. I carried...
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