Long before she founded Yoga for First Responders, Olivia Mead was a student in New York City. Every day on the way to school she passed the Midtown fire station, where she’d exchange high fives with the firefighters there. Many of those same firefighters would die in the rubble of the Twin Towers. Yoga … for First ... Read More
Search Results for: trauma
When Is Lack of Empathy a Mental Health Concern?
Empathy has become something of a buzzword in today's increasingly polarized society. Years ago, the only time most people heard about empathy issues was when psychologists talked about sociopathic serial murderers like Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy on TV crime shows. But what do psychologists mean when they make ... Read More
10 Things No One Tells You About Being an Addict in Recovery
If you're deciding whether you may have a substance abuse problem or if recovery is right for you, you've probably read stories from others who have sought treatment to get sober and the challenges they faced. Common themes include what happens when you hit rock bottom, how they sought help overcoming addiction and ... Read More
Raymond McDaniel
Raymond McDaniel, LCAC Assistant Program Director of First Responder Services Raymond McDaniel is a 22-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He served worldwide in communications, combat communications, and extensive missions, including rescue and combat operations like Desert Storm in the Middle East and the ... Read More
A Typical Week in Outpatient Treatment: What to Expect
Outpatient rehab provides intensive treatment and tailored support for those addressing substance use or mental health disorders. While it offers greater flexibility than residential treatment, it features a structured program to help patients focus on their recovery goals. Below, we look at how outpatient treatment ... Read More
Embracing Gratitude for Relapse Prevention (Resilience)
For those on the journey of recovery from addiction, developing effective coping mechanisms is important for long-term sobriety. One powerful but often overlooked tool is gratitude. While it might seem simple, things to be grateful for in recovery go far beyond merely saying "Thank you." It's an intentional mindset ... Read More
Worry Beads: Do They Work for Anxiety?
In a world full of high-tech solutions for mental health challenges, sometimes the most effective tools are surprisingly simple. Worry beads — strands of beads manipulated with the fingers — have been used for centuries across different cultures as a way to manage stress and anxiety. Today, these tactile tools are ... Read More
First Responder Community Impact Award
2025 Winner Announced! The Community Impact Award honors one first responder agency or department nationwide for the positive mental health difference that they are making in their community. Today’s first responders — police, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, emergency medical ... Read More
