Category: Conditions

During the first year of a baby’s development, over 1 million neural connections form each second within their brain. Babies master developmental milestones like rolling over, holding a bottle, and pinching food with their fingers. While developing physically, their minds work overtime. New experiences create a foundation to support learning as they grow. Infants who… Continue reading Infant Mental Health

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for communities to come together and stop abuse. Throughout the month of October, community activists and organizations across the United States, including Valley Oaks Health, are raising awareness by sharing the warning signs of domestic violence, providing tools to intervene, introducing stories of survival, and reminding legislators that… Continue reading October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Every minute, nearly 20 people become victims of physical abuse by an intimate partner in the United States. That means within one year, 10 million men and women will have experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence and emotional abuse are not only frightening to live through, they can also be damaging to the psyche and lead… Continue reading How Domestic Violence Impacts Mental Health

October 8 is National Depression Screening Day. While it may not be the most well-known health awareness holiday, it is an important one. Like any chronic condition, catching symptoms is an important first step. Depression screenings can point out possible concerns and direct you toward help earlier.  Why screen for depression? Mental health may not… Continue reading Why You Should Do a Depression Screening

The spectrum of eating disorders is wide and varied. From well-known conditions such as anorexia nervosa to lesser-known ones like binge eating disorder, it’s critical to understand warning signs and be vigilant over your own behaviors and those of the ones you love. Anorexia nervosa Typically developing during adolescence, anorexia nervosa leaves patients viewing themselves… Continue reading Common Types of Eating Disorders

One in ten Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. These serious mental and physical illnesses strike people of every age, race, gender, and body shape. They can be rooted in internal trauma, external pressures, and a variety of other uncontrollable factors. For the 30 million people who struggle… Continue reading The Key Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Approximately 10% of Americans are currently living in recovery. That’s a support group of 23 million people who understand the battle of addiction and have their own victorious stories of continuing the fight for recovery. Here are just a few: “Today I know true freedom.” -Roy A pharmaceutical executive and hopeless alcoholic. Roy had it… Continue reading Stories of Recovery

Someone dies from suicide every 40 seconds. By the time you’ve read through this article, three people will have given into the thoughts that said their circumstances were too much to bear and there was only one way out.  Be aware What if every person those three people came in contact with had known the… Continue reading Suicide Prevention Saves Lives

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nine out of ten people who need substance abuse treatment don’t receive the help they need. For the 10% of Americans who have made it into recovery, it’s a continuous battle to be free from the grip of opioid dependence, alcoholism, and other forms of… Continue reading September is National Recovery Month