Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Agender (LGBTQIA+) individuals are a valuable part of our communities. Oaks Integrated Care welcomes and celebrates diversity, inclusion and equality throughout our organization from our employees to the individuals and families we serve. For those who identify as LGBTQIA+, it’s important to recognize how the challenges they face can impact their mental health. According to Mental Health America, 4.5% of the U.S. population identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and over 39% of those individuals reported having a mental illness in the past year. That is nearly 5.8 million people. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely as cisgender individuals to experience [...]

When living with a mental health condition or facing a mental health concern, it’s common to feel like no one understands what you’re going through. But many people overcome the mental health challenges they face. You aren’t alone – help is out there and recovery is possible. As outlined by Mental Health America below, mental health conditions can be hard and confusing. It’s becoming more and more common to talk about mental health in the open, but there’s still a lot of stigma or judgment that people have about mental health conditions. If you’ve seen or heard negativity about the same challenges you deal with, you might internalize those attitudes and feel shame about your experiences. This shame, or self-stigma, [...]

Navigating mental health challenges in our lives can sometimes feel daunting. Signs might start showing in different ways or might be hidden altogether. As outlined by Mental Health America this May in their National Mental Health Month "Back to Basics" toolkit, mental health shows you signs just like physical health. We all have days where we feel a bit sore, have a headache, or are extra tired. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sick. You’re sick when something suddenly and significantly changes for the worse or prevents you from functioning properly. Mental health is similar – the occasional bad day is to be expected, but when things that used to be easily become a lot more difficult, something’s going on. Instead of [...]

This May for National Mental Health Month, Oaks strives to increase knowledge and awareness around mental health and its background. According to Mental Health America, most mental health conditions don’t have a single cause – they have many possible causes, called risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop a mental health condition in your lifetime. Mental health conditions can develop slowly, or symptoms can start to appear more suddenly after you’ve experienced a stressful event or big change. Risk Factors Risk factors don’t just affect who will and won’t develop a mental health condition. They also impact the seriousness of symptoms and when those symptoms will show up. Risk factors can [...]

The first step in helping a child experiencing abuse or neglect is learning to recognize the signs. During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM), a time to bring communities together to prevent the maltreatment of children and the importance of working to build a safe environment for all. According to the Child Maltreatment Report, approximately 2 million children received prevention services in 2021. The State of New Jersey recognizes four major types of maltreatment: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Physical abuse includes a nonaccidental physical injury caused by a parent or caregiver to a child, whereas sexual abuse is sexual activities performed by a caregiver to a child. Emotional abuse [...]

With all of us experiencing stress in different ways, tackling it can often feel like an individualized and personal task. However, stress can directly stem from family circumstances, making stress management something to be undertaken as a family. April is National Stress Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn about coping with life’s challenges and finding healthy outlets as a family. According to the National Library of Medicine, family stress is often caused by four main sources: marital dissatisfaction, home chaos, parental depressive symptoms, and job role dissatisfaction. Coping with negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, or fear, is more difficult for children, increasing the need for parental assistance for children handling stressful experiences. Common reactions to stressful events can [...]

Making a difference in someone else’s day can be as simple as a compliment or words of encouragement. This week, we celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, which recognizes the importance of sharing kindness and inspiring others with positivity. Spreading kindness starts with those close to you. Now is the perfect time to check in on your loved ones and show your support for one another. Day-to-day life can be stressful, and it’s important to know someone is there for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, Oaks Integrated Care can help. Our team offers services for children and adults designed to meet the needs of our community with compassion. To learn more, call [...]

Heading back to work or school after the holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful. Some of us might not have gotten a chance to take a breather, and the return to everyday life can take its toll. Kicking off the new year on the right foot can set the tone for the rest of the year. Check out these easy steps to reset your mind and body after the holiday season. Stay organized. Life can feel hectic after the excitement of the holidays, making staying on track with your goals extra important. Keep yourself organized with a planner or online calendar. Writing out your daily tasks, goals, and deadlines sets you up to stay on track at the [...]

“When day comes, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” After facing one of the most challenging years in our nation’s history, this quote by American poet and activist Amanda Gorman, summarized our feelings as we moved into 2021 following a global pandemic. Our mission to provide services to the most vulnerable members of our community became more important than ever. I’m proud to say with gratitude, that together - our dedicated employees, generous donors and valued partners - rose to the challenge. Our essential employees demonstrated resiliency, empathy and patience every day while keeping safety as the highest priority throughout the organization. Programs adapted to changes in the way we deliver services to ensure the individuals [...]

The holiday season is meant to bring cheer, joy and fun celebrations with family and friends. However, the holidays can often spiral into a whirlwind of demands such as cooking, shopping, cleaning and entertaining. Feeling financial pressure, coping with grief and managing family conflict can also be overwhelming. So, what can you do to manage holiday stress and other mental health challenges? Set realistic goals. The holidays may look different each year. As families and friends grow, traditions can change too. Ensure your plans for the holiday season are achievable and bring you joy rather than added stress. Be open to saying no to plans or activities if it’s just not feasible for you in the moment. Keeping your [...]