Mental Health Myths and the Military

By CPT Jennifer K. Paweleck, Chief of Community Mental Health Service, and Selina A. Jeanise, Health Promotion and Public Affairs, Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center, Fort Huachuca, Arizona Note: This article was published in the early 2000s, while I was still on active duty. To my knowledge, all information is still current and relevant. People often have significant concerns regarding … [Read more...]

Inflammation

There's a lot of buzz about inflammation these days. It has been linked to all manner of physical maladies, including everything from allergies to autoimmune illnesses to cancer. Put simply, inflammation is part of the body's immune response to harmful things, such as toxins, cell damage and various microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. Inflammation, in turn, can be a catalyst for the … [Read more...]

Spring, Summer and Suicide: It’s In the Air

MYTH: Suicide rates are higher around the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. FACT: December is the month with the lowest suicide rate. Starting in 1949, May was recognized as mental health month. The goal of this month is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, decrease the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment and provide resources for improving … [Read more...]

Depression Antidotes

Check out this video on some ways to fight depression. For a more comprehensive list of depression antidotes, see the full article here. https://youtu.be/EM_P8TVkwi4 DISCLAIMER: Material on this site is for informational purposes only. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Information contained on this site … [Read more...]

PVC Podcast: Trauma, Part 2

So, Pastor Mark Grochocki of Palm Valley Church and I kept talking after Trauma, Part 1. He's a marriage and family therapist, so we ended up with a lot to talk about! Turns out, it was being recorded, so the team decided to post it. Hope you find it informative and helpful. Listen to "Episode 103 pt. 2: Mend the Mind" on Spreaker. … [Read more...]

PVC Podcast: Trauma

Check out this podcast I did with PVC's Pastor Mark Grochocki on trauma and its physical and psychological effects. The actual podcast has more than what's below. Listen to "Episode 103: Mend the Mind" on Spreaker. What’s your background and area of study?  I went to the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate education and then Baylor University in Waco for my … [Read more...]

Help for Depression

According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is very common in the United States, affecting people of all ages at a rate of more than 3 million cases per year. According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual used by mental health providers, the symptoms of depression vary widely, with the primary identifying symptoms being depressed mood and/or lack of interest in activities. There may also be weight or … [Read more...]

The Psyche and the Heart

(This blog covers the topic of mindbody disorders as related to the psyche and the heart, as presented to a local chapter of WomenHeart, a national coalition for women with heart disease.) A great deal of evidence now exists for the inextricable link between mind and body. This evidence comes from research in the areas of medicine and psychology and is responsible for the development of the … [Read more...]