June is Pride Month, a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's history, resilience, and ongoing fight for equality. As allies, we can play a crucial role in fostering a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Here's your guide to becoming a powerful ally for the LGBTQ+ community: Education is Key: Unpack the Terminology: LGBTQ+ encompasses a spectrum of identities. Familiarize yourself with terms like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ). Resources like GLAAD's Media Reference Guide offer comprehensive explanations. Stay Informed: The LGBTQ+ landscape is ever evolving. Seek out reliable sources like the Human Rights Campaign for current events and issues impacting the community. Embrace Inclusivity: Respect Pronouns: It's a simple yet powerful gesture. If unsure, politely ask someone [...]

As we recognize World Hunger Day on May 28th, it's crucial to understand the intricate connection between food insecurity and mental health. At Oaks Integrated Care, we understand the profound impact that access to nutritious food can have on one's overall well-being. Through our Food Pantries in Mount Holly and Berlin, New Jersey, we're committed to addressing food insecurity by serving over 1,500 households a month. Food shouldn’t have to be a choice! Our community members should not have to face the harsh dilemma of spending their meager financial resources to purchase the medications which keep them mentally stable or to purchase food. With help from our local partners including the Food Bank of South Jersey, local farms and [...]

“Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World,” this May’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme from Mental Health America, brings to light various environmental and personal stressors that affect mental health. Some are more obvious than others, for example, the “breaking news” cycle, while others can be more internal, like loneliness. Consciously or unconsciously, there are four factors that might be affecting your mental health. Let’s dive in: Current Events Violent and disturbing events impact people across the world. Maybe you have family in a conflict zone, are worried about increases in identity-based hate, or have no personal ties to a particular news event but are constantly seeing graphic images online. A 2022 study found that 73% of [...]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on the importance of overall mental health and well-being. This year, Mental Health America's theme is "Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World." In a world that is constantly evolving, one factor that can negatively impact mental health is news consumption habits. The 24-hour news cycle can seem impossible to avoid in today’s fast-paced media climate. We are bombarded with dramatic news coverage and endless clickbait, which has more of an impact on mental health than we may realize. According to a survey by Grow Therapy, 99.6% of therapists said watching or reading the news can have a negative impact on mental health. People who belong to [...]

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity and promote understanding and inclusion for individuals living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex developmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Despite increased awareness in recent years, there is still much work to be done to break down stigmas and foster greater acceptance and support for individuals living with autism. 1. Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about autism and its various manifestations. Understanding the strengths and challenges associated with autism can help promote empathy and compassion for individuals on the spectrum. 2. Foster Inclusive Environments: Create environments that are welcoming and inclusive. This may involve providing accommodations such [...]

Childhood should be a time of innocence, growth, and discovery. However, for many individuals, it is shadowed by experiences of trauma that can have lasting effects on their mental health. In this blog, we will explore the profound and often overlooked long-term impact of childhood trauma on mental well-being. Understanding Childhood Trauma: Childhood trauma encompasses a range of adverse experiences, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and exposure to violence or substance abuse. These experiences can shatter a child's sense of safety and security, leading to profound psychological distress. Impact on Mental Health: Research has shown that childhood trauma can significantly increase the risk of developing mental health disorders later in life. Individuals who have experienced [...]

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we respond to it can make all the difference in our overall mental health and well-being. At Oaks Integrated Care in New Jersey, we understand the importance of stress management and offer support and resources to help individuals cope with life's challenges. Let’s explore five effective strategies to manage and cope with stress. 1. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Take time each day to practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, guided meditation, or body scans. These practices can help you stay present in the moment, cultivate self-awareness, and reduce the negative effects of stress on your mind and [...]

This year’s National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month theme is "A World of Opportunities" — a time to celebrate people and work together to remove obstacles. Oaks provides a full continuum of individualized services (in-home, residential and day programs) for children and adults living with a developmental disability in an encouraging, supportive environment. Our goal is to offer support through each stage of life to allow individuals to reach their full potential and improve quality of life for the entire family. One of the most challenging periods can be the transition from child to adult services. When a child turns 21 in New Jersey and ages out of the children’s system of care, Oaks will walk hand and hand with [...]

This social work month, we want to take the time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of social workers to our society. These often, unsung heroes dedicate their lives to helping individuals, families, and communities navigate challenges and build better futures. With the demand for social workers on the rise, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there will be more than 782,000 social workers in the United States by 2030. Social workers enter the profession because they truly want to help others. Not only do they assist individuals, they are also trained in holistic ways to assist entire families and communities to benefit society at large. Here are just a few of the ways social workers serve [...]

We all have that little voice inside our heads—the one that's quick to criticize, doubt, and undermine our confidence. This inner critic can be relentless, chipping away at our self-esteem and preventing us from reaching our full potential. But what if we could silence that voice and replace it with one that uplifts and empowers us? Here are a few ways we can try to achieve it: Understanding the Inner Critic The inner critic is that nagging voice in our minds that feeds us negative thoughts and self-doubt. It's fueled by fear, insecurity, and past experiences, constantly reminding us of our shortcomings and flaws. Left unchecked, the inner critic can erode our self-confidence and hold us back from pursuing [...]