Expert Columns

Shatterproof FHE Health is a specialized addiction and mental health treatment program for first responders. What sets it apart has a lot to do with the unique work-related stressors and traumas that these men and women face—as well as the treatments and supports that can best address their particular needs. In her ... Read More

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 professions—and, because they are used to helping rather than being helped, ... Read More

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

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

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 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

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

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