What possesses a 16-year-old kid to join the fire service in Orangeburg, South Carolina? “I wanted to help people and was drawn to the lights, sirens, and equipment,” Jeff M. said, in an interview for our No More Shame series. He also wanted to know “what people were running away from—to go into the burning building ... Read More
Search Results for: ptsd
How to Navigate a Parent’s Alcohol or Drug Problem
Living with alcoholic parents can be challenging. Due to their substance abuse problems, they may display abnormal behaviors, struggle to maintain a job or fail to meet your emotional and physical needs. Without help, you risk developing your own addiction or mental health issues that can last into ... Read More
The Long Mental Health Arc of National Tragedies
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after someone witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. For example, a veteran who served in a combat zone may experience flashbacks due to their military experience. PTSD also develops after mass disasters, which are situations involving a critical number of victims. In ... Read More
No More Shame: Kara W.
Kara W. had her first drink at the age of 14. It was the summer of 2006: My mom had gone out of town, and my dad was home but not very present. We took his beer, my brother and my friends, and I got drunk for the first time. The second time that she got drunk, Kara drank to the point of blacking out and falling in a ... Read More
Help for Complicated Grief, from an Expert
It is a universal human experience. Still, some grief is especially messy, distressing, and hard to move through. “Complicated grief” affects 7-10 percent of bereaved people, according to the National Institutes of Health. Grief can look very different between individuals, so there is no “right” way to grieve. ... Read More
Burnout Among Corrections Officers: An Expert’s Insights
Somewhere during our interview, Sonny Silva paused to paint this frightening scenario: Imagine that a major fight breaks out in the chow hall, and one inmate is stabbing someone on one side of the hall while another set of individuals are stabbing each other on the other side of the mess hall. There are 200 inmates in ... Read More
Effects of Overdosing: How Long Does an Overdose Last?
If you or a loved one is abusing substances, the concern of an overdose happening is constant. An overdose can be accidental or intentional. Individuals can overdose on various substances, including illicit drugs, prescription medications, alcohol and more. While the risk of an overdose can be constant, it carries many ... Read More
Minority Mental Health Resources
Learn about minority behavioral mental health resources. This can help you find culturally sensitive counseling and therapy that help improve your well-being. Mental illness can affect anyone, but people from diverse populations often experience greater impacts. Minority communities can face additional pressures due ... Read More