Mental Health America

 

Although there seems to be a stigma attached to mental health issues, there is a lot more open conversation and acknowledgment of these issues.  More people than not are meeting with therapists or social workers and are seeking out psychiatrists and alternative therapies in order to treat the symptoms.  Mental Health America is a great resource for anyone in need of mental health services; which is why online therapy provider BetterHelp supports them.…

Sports Psychology And Its Impact On Athlete Performance

Source: stack.com

Watching sports competition and keeping an eye on Michael Phelps, Serena Williams or Manny Pacquiao makes us wonder what makes these individuals so exceptional and incredible. Are they an enormous kind of being when they were born? They even represent superheroes with such extraordinary powers to beat their opponents with just a blink of an eye. The thought of going to the gym already drains our energy and thinking about jogging or adhering to a strict diet plan is already very challenging and tiring for us. This takes us to search for an answer what keeps them motivated and disciplined. Does it seem easier for them than on how we perceive the difficulties that come with it?…

American Heart Association – NFL Play 60

 

Whenever you go out and about these days, children of all ages are on screens.  They are either on a smartphone or a tablet, playing games or watching videos.  Parks are not as crowded as they used to be and everyone is looking for free wifi.  It is a sad state of affairs.  One non-profit organization is trying to reverse this trend.  That is the American Heart Association in conjunction with the NFL and it is the NFL Play 60 initiative.…

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

 

Many families do not know where their next meal is coming from.  If they do have money for groceries, they may have to buy more processed, less nutritious food because fresh produce and meat are more expensive than boxes of macaroni and cheese or store brand sugary cereal.  In order for these families to be able to afford and obtain nutritious food, they should be introduced to and utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).…

National Association Of Free And Charitable Clinics (NAFC)

Some families cannot afford any type of health insurance or medical care and they are not sure where to go for assistance.  The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is a great resource for free and sliding scale health services.

 

WHAT IS NAFC?

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics actually started as the National Association of Free Clinics.  It was run by volunteers and donations with the services being offered to anyone who did not have access to health care.  They provide an assortment of services including medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and behavioral health services.   Free and charitable clinics limit qualifications for their services to people who are uninsured, under-insured and/or have little to no primary, specialty or prescription health care.…

State Children’s Health Insurance Program

 

No child should go without health insurance.  If a child is sick, the last thing a family needs to worry about is how they are going to pay for health services.   All energy should be put into taking care of and helping their child get well.  There is a huge portion of the population that makes a decent wage to support their family, but do not have health insurance or have to pay huge premiums in order to get coverage.  The State Children’s Health Insurance Program can help take away those worries, such as certain organizations looking after children’s welfare: http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/11/04/therapeutic-foster-care-program-struggles-to-get-off-its-feet-in-yk-delta/

American Cancer Society

Unfortunately, far too many people are diagnosed with cancer each and every day.  With all the advances in research, many types of cancer that were once terminal are now curable.  It is scary to get a cancer diagnosis, but with the support and right resources, this battle can be won and it doesn’t have to be accomplished alone.  The American Cancer Society is a great resource for patients and their families.…

Boys And Girls Clubs Of America

 

When you think of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, you probably think of after school care or summer camp.  You may not think that they are part of the health system.  They do offer many programs that enhance children’s healthy lifestyle, so they can be a great resource for those in need of a healthy environment for their children.…

Dog Therapy: How Effective Is It?

Assisted Animal Therapy (AAT) has not been widely recognized but is a fast-emerging program that is utilized by schools, clinics, and hospitals in the United States. Animals are incorporated into therapy programs to help students improve school performance. Adults also benefit from AAT in their recovery from depression, anxiety, and other mental concerns. The dog is the most used ‘co-therapist’, being man’s best friend and one of the most intelligent pets that can be easily trained. Let us discuss the different benefits of dog therapy on the road to recovery of adults as well as the youth needing help.…

What is Equitherapy?

Do you know what equitherapy is? To be honest, a lot of people don’t know what this is or even heard of it before. So, what is it? Well, this is in a sense, horse therapy. Now, it isn’t about helping a horse heal after injury but rather the horse being used as a tool to help a human recover. It’s not something that is well known or at least, not well known in large circles and yet it’s quite important and highly popular.

Using This Therapy

However, the horse isn’t just this cuddly toy for children or adults to enjoy but rather a secure outlet for them. For example, when someone has developmental issues, equitherapy can be used as a way to help them attach to something and maybe even develop. Like what Dr. Steven Lazarus, PsyD  used to say, “Children and teens often struggle with intense conversations, and a soft, furry dog in an animal-assisted therapy setting can be a great ice breaker or stress-reliever.” What’s more, soldiers serving in the army and who have post-traumatic stress disorder can often find horse therapy is useful for them. It really does sound strange and, to be honest, a lot of people don’t understand it and yet it is a useful outlet, to say the least.…