Blog

By: Allison HackmanAssistant Manager, Marketing & Communications | Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation Creativity is a great way to practice self-care. But how exactly does creativity support mental health and well-being, and how do you incorporate it into your life? Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, a Drexel University professor and leading art therapy researcher, says engaging in the creative process can help reduce stress, lower anxiety, regulate the nervous system, deepen connection with self and others, and improve mood. It also enhances our sense of agency, strengthening our ability to imagine and solve problems. Learn more below about the science of creativity and ways to practice it for self-care! The Science Behind Creativity & Mental Well-Being Creativity is a dynamic process involving skills, thinking, and surroundings to create something new. It can include various forms of expression, such as art, music, writing, innovative problem-solving, and more. Research […]

By: Austyn Holleman, MSW, MPH, LCSWDirector of Community Voice | Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation After years of graduate school and endless trainings on fancy treatment modalities, I find myself saying, “This feels hard because it is hard” more than anything else to the moms sitting across from me in a therapy session. I want them to hear and feel that their challenges managing their mental health during the perinatal period have nothing to do with personal failures or inadequacies, and everything to do with the systems that are failing them. We live in an increasingly individualistic society, where families are left to raise children in dyads, or as single parents with little to no support. Our lack of affordable childcare, stagnant wages, and unrealistic expectations of a “good” parent are just a few of the endless factors coloring the experience of parents across the U.S. […]

One of my first clients as an outpatient therapist 12 years ago involved a woman who was living in a hotel with her daughter and grandchildren, limited food, no reliable transportation unless she had money for public transit, unable to work due to multiple health conditions, and uninsured—all while experiencing significant mood disturbances. I was able to see her in her hotel room at most once a week for 53 minutes for a therapy session (travel expenses paid for by me, mind you) for up to 8 sessions, and she currently qualified for minimal social services, of which I would also need to seek out on my own time as care coordination was not reimbursed. I came back from that session and cried in my supervisor’s office, I cried to my mom, I cried in my car. 1) I had no idea where to begin, 2) She […]

Medical providers talk with us about preventing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain, low bone density, diabetes…shall I go on? Each year I visit my primary care provider to have these conversations and as I have gotten older, some conversations have trickled in around perimenopause and menopause as well. But the same emphasis has not been given to my mental health. There have not been conversations about my family’s well-being, how I am handling the launch of my first-born to college, or simply how I manage my day-to-day stress. And yet…it is no longer a secret how stress impacts our body. Why do we not close the loop on our health recognizing the relationship between the body and the mind? Why do we not give the same degree of attention, importance, and infrastructure to maintaining our mental wellness and preventing mental illness? For our children, prevention […]

Living through the COVID-19 Pandemic taught us a lot about our well-being – physically, socially, and especially mentally and emotionally. With unending days of isolation and distance, lack of routines, consistent uncertainty and fear, as well as grief and loss, the topic of conversation quickly highlighted the emotional suffering experienced by many. It emphasized that not only was living through this experience overwhelming, but the experience also exacerbated or contributed to the development of mental and emotional issues for many individuals. As the conversation continues to remain on the forefront on all systems levels, with increased community conversations and funding surrounding mental health, I offer a review of some of the effective, evidence-based approaches to a community response to mental health. Question Persuade Refer (QPR) From the QPR Institute https://qprinstitute.com/ The QPR mission is to “reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven […]

“A good therapist will meet you wherever you are in your journey and help you get closer to truly living your best life—however you define that.”   Sara Herrity Moscarelli, MS, LMFT | COE Senior Project Manager Finding a therapist can be confusing and challenging to navigate whether you have been to therapy before or are seeking it out for the first time. Our team is here to help with some tips on how to find a therapist who fits your needs. You can learn about distinct types of therapists, tips for finding the right fit, an overview of how mental health insurance works, and more.  How can a therapist help me?   Therapists can help you navigate life transitions, develop healthy coping skills, identify and process your emotions, and gain greater insight into your experiences. Even if you aren’t 100% sure what you hope to gain from therapy at […]