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Awareness

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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geriatric mental health

By Ashley Barnes What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? Each year on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed with the purpose of providing an opportunity for communities across the globe to promote a better understanding of elder abuse and neglect; this is done through education and raising awareness of the social, cultural, demographic, and economic situations that impact elder abuse and neglect.  Elder abuse. An elder is anyone age 65 or older and elder abuse describes any intentional act or failure to act that causes a risk of harm to an older adult (CDC, 2021). A sad truth about elder abuse and neglect is that it often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or person the elder trusts. Elder abuse is a serious problem in the United States with about 1 in 10 older adults over the age of 60 having experienced some form of …

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PTSD Awareness Month

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By Ashley Barnes What is PTSD Awareness Month? June is PTSD Awareness Month and aims to spread awareness about the disorder, its causes, and its symptoms while also supporting and empowering those who experience it.  What is PTSD? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is described by the American Psychological Association as a disorder that “may result when an individual lives through or witnesses an event in which he or she believes that there is a threat to life or physical integrity and safety and experiences fear, terror, or helplessness” (2021). Hallmark PTSD symptoms as outlined by the American Psychological Association include: reexperiencing the trauma in painful recollections, flashbacks, or recurrent dreams or nightmares; avoidance of activities or places that recall the traumatic event, as well as diminished responsiveness (emotional anesthesia or numbing), with disinterest in significant activities and with feelings of detachment and estrangement from others; and chronic physiological arousal, leading …

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LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2022

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By Ashley Barnes What is Pride Month? LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which transpired in New York at the end of June 1969. Resultantly, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the positive impact LGBTQ+ people have had on culture and society as well as accomplishments they have achieved. Further, Pride Month commemorates the ongoing pursuit of equal rights and justice for the greater community as well as sub communities within the LGBTQ+ sphere.  Messages from our team. The Mental Health Center supports and appreciates the LGBTQ+ community, not only in the month of June but every day. Our company strives to make the treatment experience inclusive and sensitive to patient needs, honoring all identities. Dino Gonzales, one of our valued administrative assistants, shared that “as an employee of the Mental Health Center, I appreciate our thoughtfulness to …

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2022 AAPI Month: Celebrating Mental Health, DEI

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Mental Health and Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

Mental Health + AAPI Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of May, recognizing the incredible ways that Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have contributed and influenced the culture, history, and achievements of the United States. California has a significant and diverse AAPI population. “AAPIs are the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S. and an immensely diverse group of people in terms of income, ethnicity, migration status, and education.” Why Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? As readers may be aware, the AAPI community was subject to a rise in hate crimes with the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The most effective response to harmful rhetoric and attacks against the AAPI community is for our government and industry to collaborate in promoting a diverse, inclusive environment that is reflected in the policies we implement, our workforces, and …

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month

What is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month? In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives declared May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month. This is largely in part due to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder’s efforts to educate others about the disorder and its impact; these efforts seek to empower those diagnosed while reducing stigma that surrounds the disorder.  What is Borderline Personality Disorder? According to the American Psychiatric Association, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by “a long-standing pattern of instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, and self-image that is severe enough to cause extreme distress or interfere with social and occupational functioning” (APA, 2021). To meet diagnostic criteria, an individual must meet five of the following categories: frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation, identity disturbance …

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