Behavioral & Mental Health

Fear is the response our brains create to react to perceived threats in our environment, whether anticipated or right in front of us. Although uncomfortable, having a fear response is essential to our survival, alerting us to danger and sending signals through our bodies to prepare for what's to come. This feeling is ... Read More

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that comes from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing intense flashbacks, anxiety and depression. Without proper treatment, PTSD can negatively affect your day-to-day life, making it difficult to go to work or school and maintain ... Read More

The high-stress demands of working as a correction officer can jeopardize both physical and mental health. Long work shifts, dangerous conditions, and the constant need for vigilance can create enormous stress. Working in any one of the nation's prisons requires that corrections officers be constantly vigilant about ... Read More

Emergency dispatchers may never set foot on the scene of a crime or accident, but every day, they're faced with challenges and trauma that can impact their mental health. These workers are the bridge between people in crisis and first responders. They are responsible for sending assistance to emergency and nonemergency ... Read More

In his 1983 book entitled Mister Rogers Talks with Parents, Fred Rogers recounted how, when he was a child and would see scary things on the news, his mother would tell him, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." In many cases, those "helpers" are the EMTs and paramedics who are first to ... Read More

Orthorexia, or orthorexia nervosa, is not officially diagnosed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Yet it is a severe eating disorder that can be life-threatening. Orthorexia and Its Connection to Healthy Eating When someone has orthorexia, they are fixated or obsessed ... Read More

Law enforcement officers are charged with the task of serving and protecting citizens and creating a safe environment for everyone in their communities. Being a police officer can be rewarding, but it also comes with high demands and exposure to trauma. Over time, this can take a severe toll on the officer's mental ... Read More

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that many people misunderstand, largely thanks to some persisting myths and misinformation. Traumatic events leave people feeling sad, anxious, frightened, or even guilty. When these feelings persist for long periods, it could be PTSD. While most individuals ... Read More