Stigma. It often involves inaccurate stereotypes. Negative attitudes, prejudice and false beliefs create stigma in mental health. Assigning people with certain traits that have a mental health disorder can have serious harmful effects on their...

Delta-8 is a naturally occurring chemical compound, called a cannabinoid, that is found in traces in hemp and marijuana plants. Its popularity is on the rise, and you can purchase it legally in many States. It comes in various forms, including...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize victims and raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. October was first declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989, with the goal of connecting...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is dedicated as a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, to those who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and to acknowledge the individuals, families and communities that have been...

Kratom is a popular herbal supplement derived from the dried leaves of a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family. People use kratom to treat chronic pain, depression and anxiety. And some use it to lessen the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Anyon...

Summer months. A time most of us in Wyoming anxiously wait for as winter can seem cold, bleak, and feel like it can drag on forever. People often report the best mental health in the summer. This can be due to various factors including longer days,...

Every year on the Fourth of July we celebrate our independence with grand fireworks displays all over the country. From small town America to the big cities, spectacular displays of lights and noises take place. The intent behind it and the...

According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, deaths involving methamphetamine are “skyrocketing.” The article states that deaths from methamphetamine among Americans increased “50-fold” between 1999 and 2021. Most of the deaths also in...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but the reality is, we need to talk about mental health all year round. By not talking about mental health, we add to the stigma that surrounds it. Stigma can lead to a reluctance for individuals to seek...

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a prescription drug; however, it is also made and used illegally. Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used...

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that involves a detachment from reality. Along with symptoms that affect concentration and memory, people living with schizophrenia experience psychosis, which can include hallucinations and delusions....

Honesty is crucial when living a life of recovery. The process of actually admitting with heart, mind and soul that you are an addict and need help puts you on the right road toward recovery. It may seem like a no-brainer, but in reality it can be...

Adjustment disorder is a common mental health diagnosis that is not very often brought to light or discussed. Adjustment disorders are stress-related conditions. An individual experiences more stress than would normally be expected in response to a...

It’s no secret that addiction ruins lives. When parents become addicted to drugs and alcohol, it impacts their physical and emotional health, behaviors, and their ability to effectively parent their children. For the children, they can experience m...

What do you think of when you hear “mental wellness”? You might think this defines a state of constant happiness. But it’s more than that. The key to mental wellness is—instead of staying consistently happy, it is passing through many life events...

Often times when someone enters treatment for addiction they have a difficult time seeing their life clean and sober. They see their lifestyle of using substances as the only way they can have fun, and that without it, life would be “boring.” The...

A new year here and with that comes the ever popular, but rarely accomplished new year’s resolutions. This year, I would challenge that and offer a new perspective. Instead of making a just a resolution, let’s make this year a year of ref...

The holidays are just around the corner and with that it usually brings cheer, family time, laughter, sharing with others, and making special memories with those you love. However, grief can change all of that. I so wish you could press pause on...

Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression. It’s triggered by the change of seasons and most commonly begins in the fall. This seasonal depression gets worse toward the later part of fall or early w...

The last article to cover addiction-related issues was to help gain an understanding about the difference between sobriety and recovery. It was to help recognize that recovery is more than just abstinence from a substance or behavior. Obviously,...

Depression is a treatable condition and it is not part of the normal aging process. However, older adults are at an increased risk for depression. Approximately 80% of aging adults have a chronic health condition according to the Centers for Disease...

What is the difference between stress and anxiety? Are they one in the same or different? There is a fine line between stress and anxiety. Stress is typically caused by an external trigger. The trigger can be short-term, such as an argument with a lo...

One of the most important things a person in addiction recovery can do is to maintain employment. It is very important that they do not isolate and become unproductive. Employment is one way to provide daily stimulation, structure, and interactions...