As we turn back the clocks for Daylight Savings Time this Sunday, keeping general mood changes in mind is important. Making this time adjustment can have many affects on our bodies and our mental health. According to Healthline, changing our clocks twice a year greatly impacts our health, with fall causing a decline in mental health. Entering the winter months causes less sun exposure for our skin, creating a decrease in vitamin D. While Daylight Savings Time does not directly cause mental health conditions, these changes commonly affect those with pre-existing mental health conditions or those more susceptible to anxiety or depression. Seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression, often occurs during this time period. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder [...]

Stress and anxiety are two of the most significant mental health challenges faced by individuals across the country. Despite their similarities, stress and anxiety can offer different experiences, symptoms and severities. Understanding how to spot the differences can help identify the best course of option for treatment. Almost all individuals experience some degree of stress at some point in their lives. According to the American Psychological Association, people under stress experience “mental and physical symptoms,” including irritability, fatigue, muscle pain, or sleep difficulties. As of 2022, around 75% of Americans reported to the American Institute of Stress about experiencing physical or mental symptoms of stress. Responses to stress can be more or less intense depending on the person and [...]

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, when we are reminded to oppose the harassment or victimization of all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, or identity. As a means to harm another individual through behavior or speech, bullying can have a direct impact on mental health. According to StopBullying.gov, children and youth who are bullied over time are more likely than those not bullied to experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. While learning from home during the pandemic, many students relied on devices as their primary form of conversation. L1ght, an organization that tracks online harassment, reported an over 70% increase in cyberbullying in 2020 alone. As of August 2022, 60% of teens report experiencing some sort of cyberbullying. Additionally, 87% [...]

The history of the LGBTQIA+ community revolves around supporting and championing all individuals. Recognized annually on October 11, National Coming Out Day reinforces the belief that accepting differences makes us stronger and knowledge drives out the dangers of hate. In celebration of National Coming Out Day, Oaks’ Development & Communication Assistant Orlando Salas shares insight into his experience coming out and how it can help impact others. Words of Resilience and Acceptance, by Orlando Salas Walking through this world as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community comes with its own set of unique challenges. You may feel like you have to constantly keep your guard up because other people want to hurt you just for existing. But whenever I [...]

For today’s youth, mental health holds a significance in their day-to-day lives. As we head back-to-school this September, many students may struggle with changes in their daily routine or encounter new challenges in school. Parents and caregivers should keep an eye out for persistent behavioral changes, excessive stress, or withdrawal as indicators that your student is facing a mental health-related challenge. Looking at the numbers, an estimated one in six children have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder today. As outlined by the CDC, mental health disorders are described as “serious changes to the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems throughout the day.” ADHD, anxiety, behavioral problems, and depression are the most [...]

This July, we asked members of our leadership team to share personal or work experiences related to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) Mental Health Month. Our Vice President of Adult Developmental Disability Services, Pam Brown, wrote the following opinion piece about her experience growing up in an African American Christian household and how the "Pray it Away" philosophy impacted her life ~ "Pray It Away" this phrase has been used when discussing homosexuality but it was also used in my household for many years as it relates to mental illness. Growing up in a Christian household, I always heard my grandmother say, "there is nothing wrong with him." Pray and God will take it away. PUSH (pray [...]

Just as every person is unique, so is every culture. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals hold rich histories and unique experiences which impact their beliefs and well-being. According to Mental Health America (MHA), BIPOC communities are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions. With July as BIPOC Mental Health Month, it remains essential to understand mental health challenges through a diverse lens. To support BIPOC communities, MHA outlined information and resources for specific cultural groups. American Indians/Alaska Natives It is estimated that at least 18.7% of the 9.6 million American Indian/Alaska Natives have experienced a mental health condition within the past year. Many native tribes and lands that exist within the U.S. have been deeply [...]