Trans Awareness Week
Trans Awareness Week both celebrates the diversity of genders for people who do not identify as the gender assigned to them at birth and...
Trans Awareness Week both celebrates the diversity of genders for people who do not identify as the gender assigned to them at birth and...
Believe it or not, our bodies are not fully evolved to deal with the daily stressors of modern life. As Robert Sapolsky, a professor...
Adding acts of gratitude into your daily routine can improve mental health. It’s easy to get pulled down by the weight of things that...
No one wants to believe their child could bully others. But even with the best guidance, some children may act out against their peers...
Children can be naïve and innocent to the world’s ugly truths. However, one truth they may be too familiar with is bullying. We are...
Seeing violence or harassment firsthand can be shocking and cause you to freeze. If you have a plan for what to do when you...
Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or you’re an ally, people who share their gender identity or sexuality with you need your...
Coming out as any letter of the LGBTQ+ spectrum (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) can be difficult. It requires courage and bravery to...
This World Mental Health Day, Valley Oaks Health is joining the World Health Organization in sharing the importance of mental health as well as...
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a common diagnosis among children, but many adults may find themselves wondering if they have ADHD. Symptoms usually show up...
You may know someone fighting addiction while working through their recovery journey. You want to help, but you aren’t sure if you should. And...
Finding direction during recovery leads to success. It can make the difference between positive days and challenging setbacks. Here are ten steps to help...
Take a moment, pause, then take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Meditation is the universal medicine that benefits everyone. The best part? You don’t...
September is Pain Awareness Month, and at Valley Oaks, we understand the connection between chronic pain and mental health. You may be familiar with...
More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, and for each person that dies, it’s estimated that 20 others attempt. It’s time we...
The word “addiction” is thrown around for a lot of things. I’m addicted to my phone. My child is addicted to video games. But...
Inequality comes in many forms. It can stem from different identity statuses such as race, gender, and life events like becoming disabled or losing...
Economically, women bore the brunt of COVID-19. They lost the highest percentage of jobs and a collective $800 billion in income. Childcare centers closed,...
In medical studies, women lack the longevity and quantity of scientific research to understand how addiction to drugs or alcohol can affect them. What...
While addiction can affect anyone, it often presents itself differently depending upon biological and sociological factors. For example, research has shown that men are...
Understanding and communicating your emotions can help you move through uncomfortable feelings while building resilience and mental well-being. But sometimes, it’s easier to default...
Each day, our minds are filled with thousands of thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Thoughts of panic, joy, fear, and anger can circulate throughout the...
The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, but children were especially impacted. Things that were safe and fun before—playing with friends, going to...
There is no right way to react to return to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic, and life may look far from normal still. Whether...
As much as we may try, external changes like changing jobs, moving to a new home, or a once-in-a-century viral pandemic can get in...
After more than a year of dealing with uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents and children are looking for a return to...
Self-care is crucial to improved mental health. Here are a few ways to add self-care to your daily routine as a way to reduce...
July 24 is International Self-Care Day (ISD). This worldwide event allows people to share how they practice self-care while offering better ways for everyone...
Feeling the winter blues of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is more commonly discussed than summertime sadness. Those affected by warm weather-related SAD can experience...
Many people experience shifts in mood and periods of sadness during winter when days are shorter with less daylight. Colder months are not the...
Some parents find that summer is the best time for their children to develop new skills and meet friends. For children with mental health...
The popularity of tablets and smartphones continues to creep into groups of younger and younger kids. According to a study conducted in 2016, 52%...
There have been numerous conversations across our country circling politics, healthcare, racism, and public safety that have left people feeling conflicted, anxious, and pressured...
One aspect of trauma-informed care that is beginning to gain more awareness is the effect of racial trauma among people of color. Racism and...
July is National Minority Mental Health Month, so it is important to recognize the barriers that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) must...
The number one thing people said last year when the world shut down due to COVID-19 was, “Thank goodness this happened in the spring...
You’ve probably uttered the words, “I really should” before rattling off a long to-do list. While it feels good to check off chores, that...
Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy...
This article’s list of initials is not exhaustive of all LGBTQ+ community members and related groups’ identities. Valley Oaks Health respects the diversity and...
Studies show individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression and twice as likely to experience suicidal...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with veterans, yet some studies show a connection that stretches beyond combat: poverty. The most financially distressed...
To the 8 million diagnosed Americans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we are here to support you on your road to recovery. For those...
This May, Valley Oaks Health is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by shining a light on the daily toll of burnout and ways to...
Mental health has become a more commonly used term in the last decade. But as something we often cannot see, it’s important to remember...
Work-life balance is something we all strive to achieve, but if the scales are tipping in favor of long nights in the office and...
It can be hard to talk about burnout. If you’re struggling, you may worry you’ll come off as a complainer. If you notice the...
Work seems to consume so much of our life. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you’re tuned into the needs of your boss and...
Finding a work-life balance doesn’t mean just drawing boundaries at work. Making your home a safe space that is free from stress can also...
In this video, Amanda Pratt, LCSW / LMSW teaches us what coping is and how it can help you navigate the path toward better...
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Just like you’d go for a run or eat veggies to keep your body healthy,...
A mental health diagnosis doesn’t mean your light has to darken. Those living with a mental health condition can find light with treatment and...
A battle with mental health doesn’t have to be a solo fight. Those living with a mental health condition can find community and healing...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans increased their alcohol intake, with women and parents of young children disproportionately affected. This article from the New...
During this time of civil unrest, the City of Alexandria, Virginia has compiled resources to help support individuals and communities experiencing race based trauma:...
Sleep is an important step toward having better mental health. So how can you get more hours of better sleep? Build a consistent schedule...
We’ve always been told eight hours of sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. During the night, your immune system receives a...
Do you ever feel like you are hanging on by a fraying thread? Even on the best days, stress can sneak in and take...
Stress has become a normal part of our daily routines. From overflowing inboxes to packed schedules, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and underprepared for...
Signs that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect are not always obvious. Unexplained bruises and marks raise red flags. However,...
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity for communities to come together, become educated on the signs of child abuse, and take steps...
Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. In 2017, the National Survey on Drug Use...
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and during this time, Valley Oaks Health is bringing awareness and erasing stigma around alcohol use disorder (AUD). There...
The immediate effects of substance use during pregnancy are evident, but what do drug-exposed children experience long-term? A child’s cognition and behavior can both...
The use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, or the misuse of prescription drugs by pregnant women can have severe health consequences for their baby....
Nearly one in every five Americans experiences some form of anxiety disorder. Though that’s millions of people, many myths and misconceptions still surround anxiety....
Anxiety can leave you feeling tight-chested and breathless. By utilizing these mindful breathing techniques, you can alleviate symptoms and begin to relax. Abdomen breathing...
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