Do Not Wait for a Holiday to Express Gratitude

Do Not Wait for a Holiday to Express Gratitude

Gratitude is a “trending notion” right now, but do people really know what it means to show, express, feel and embrace gratitude. Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation, gratefulness, or thankfulness for someone or something.  Whether it is trending or not, data shows that expressing gratitude or living a life in a grateful way has social, physical, and psychological benefits.  Believe it or not, gratitude helps you feel better, sleep better, and can even strengthen your relationships.  And it is a skill that can be developed with practice. Learning how to express gratitude can be as simple as saying please and thank you, writing thank you notes, listing your blessings, and sharing what you are thankful for with others.

Holiday seasons, anniversaries, and other momentous occasions, can stir up a lot of emotions including joy and sorrow, togetherness, and isolation. Choosing a grateful spirit and approaching life with a feeling of appreciation can lead to feelings of joy and togetherness instead of sorrow and isolation.  Now is a great time to start creating a gratitude practice so you can experience the benefits such as an improved outlook on life, reduced depression and anxiety, better physical health, and the ability to weather the storms of life such as this COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about gratitude and its positive impact on health in: Do Not Wait for a Holiday to Express Gratitude.

3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

Nearly 52 million Americans 18 and older are living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of people suffering from panic disorders and anxiety are increasing. A common medication for treating panic disorders and anxiety is a prescription drug called Xanax. While Xanax can help relieve anxiety and panic symptoms, it is highly addictive. It is important that individuals taking Xanax become aware of the signs of an addiction to Xanax, which can include withdrawing from relationships and preoccupation with your Xanax use.  As individuals become preoccupied with maintaining a steady supply of Xanax, financial troubles and concerning behaviors may increase. In a recent WebMD Connect to Care article on signs of Xanax addiction, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of The Bizzell Group and a substance abuse expert, highlighted some additional telltale signs: “Maintaining a supply of the drug on hand, mixing with alcohol or other drugs, and developing dangerous behaviors to obtain the prescription, including stealing or getting it from the streets.”

Recognizing the signs of an addiction is an important step towards getting help to treat an addiction—for yourself or others you love.

READ MORE: 3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action.”

Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action.”

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and the 2nd leading cause of death in youth and young adults between the ages of 10-34 in the United States [1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Facts About Suicide. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/ . These are startling statistics and highlight the importance of knowing the facts about suicide and suicide prevention. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and false assumptions about suicide. To help those in crisis, everyone should take the time to learn the facts about suicide.

In this Psychology Today article, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of The Bizzell Group, debunks some of the common false assumptions about suicide, identifies the triggers for suicide, and shares actions you can take and things you can say if someone is considering suicide.

READ MORE: Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action”

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Facts About Suicide. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/

Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Mental illness is stigmatized in the U.S. and even more among minority communities and communities of color both nationally and internationally.  To help combat the mental illness stigma, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as “Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” to “enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.”  According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 50 percent of all Americans will be part of a minority group by 2044.  The total incidence of mental illness, mental health outcomes of racial/ethnic, gender and sexual minorities will be much worse, writes Dr. Anton C. Bizzell in “Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.,” published online in Psychology Today.

Racial and ethnic minorities have more to contend with when it comes to accepting and addressing mental health issues. “What’s done in this house, stays in this house” is a mantra heard by many minorities. Stress, substance abuse, unemployment or underemployment, incarceration, education, or lack thereof, shame and denial are all reasons that minorities and communities of color find themselves dealing with mental health related issues.  Everyone, especially communities of color, need to debunk the myths and stigmas associated with mental illness.  Seek help today.

READ MORE: Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.