Updated on November 13, 2023 First responder peer support is crucial. While it can be rewarding, being a first responder is also one of the hardest, loneliest, and most stressful jobs around. What many people don’t know is that substance abuse and suicide occur at dramatically higher rates within first responder ... Read More
Featured in Experts
Why Peer Support Is Key in First Responder Rehab
Making the Most of Union Membership to Get Therapy
Therapy has helped countless people cope with stress, face life challenges, and manage mental health issues. At a time when the demand for therapy is greater than ever, though, it can be very expensive and hard to access. This is one area where union membership can confer benefits—but what are they, and how might they ... Read More
How to De-Escalate Conflict in an Emotionally Charged Situation
Conflict is bound to happen, especially when Americans are more divided than ever, according to some sources. In families, schools, communities, and the workplace, the lines that divide can seem more worth fighting for than the ties that bind—and strong feelings can erupt in violence. From airline ticket counters and ... Read More
The Role of Humor in Recovery, From an Expert’s View
If “laughter is medicine,” what might that mean for people in recovery? For example, research has revealed numerous mental health benefits of humor, such as reduced stress, pain relief, and less inflammation; and these are good for anyone’s health, whether or not you’re in recovery. There are still other more specific ... Read More
The New Mental Health Crisis from Covid Isolation
The Covid pandemic has introduced many changes that have impacted mental health. Loneliness was already a major health problem before the enforced isolation of quarantines and social distancing. Now, after a gradual return to pre-pandemic normalcy, there is still cause for concern that Covid isolation may have ... Read More
Why Mental Illness Is Not a Sign of Spiritual Weakness
Despite medical and scientific advances in how we understand and treat mental illness, people who live with it continue to face stigmatization. This can occur in various contexts and can take different forms. One example is the notion that mental illness is a sign of “spiritual weakness.” Whether overt or indirect, ... Read More
Red Flags That a Relationship Is Bad for Your Mental Health
Research has underscored just how powerful close, supportive relationships can be for mental and physical health. This is especially true for those in recovery from addiction and/or other mental health issues. The quality of the relationship is key. For example, a happy marriage or stable partnership can reduce stress ... Read More
Ready to Date in Recovery? Look for These Signs.
“When am I ready to date in my recovery?” It’s a very common question and a source of much discussion and even debate in recovery circles, from therapy and 12-step groups to blogs, forums, and chat rooms. There can be different answers, too, depending on who you talk to. We decided to consult one of our in-house ... Read More