One day last week I felt the need to have some fun and decided to spontaneously take a few hours to attend the Chelan County fair in Cashmere WA. I had not been to a county fair in decades and I headed straight for the swine barn. The pigs have always been my favorite since […]
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Last weekend I was out at Lake Sammamish State Park to watch the start of the MFG cyclocross season. I lived near this amazing park for decades and have vivid memories of hanging out here to bike, picnic, swim, walk our dogs, and just have fun playing with our sons. I realized I was stuck […]
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The three-day weekend is something we all seem to love! A long summer weekend with the perfect fun activities, food, friends, and family, not to mention beautiful weather, is one of life’s special treats. What a great start to the month of September, which for me, always feels like the beginning of a new year!
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is an important time to share resources and stories to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) wants to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services to ensure that […]
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It is hard to believe it is August 20th! I was out for a city park walk this morning, when what did I see in the top of that tree? Yikes, could it be a sign that fall is near!?! Nah, you still have time to get outside. I love the Foo Fighter’s song […]
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Be Aware Of Suicidal Feelings People having a crisis sometimes perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. These are some of the feelings and thoughts people experience in crisis. Can’t stop the pain Can’t think clearly Can’t make decisions Can’t see any way out Can’t sleep, eat or work Can’t […]
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Practice Active Listening Hearing someone talk is different from actively listening to what that person is saying. Active listening requires concentration and understanding. Improving your listening skills is easy to do with practice and these helpful tips. Acknowledge the Speaker This can be as simple as a head nod or an “Uh huh.” By acknowledging […]
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Substance abuse is one of the top risk factors for suicide. Those who experience the lows of depression/mood disorders and use drugs and alcohol to alleviate their pain, are at a much higher risk of fatal or nonfatal suicide attempts. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and depression and other mental […]
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Suicide Warning Signs If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline. Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live Talking about feeling […]
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Wellness is multi-dimensional and includes mind, body, and spirit. A strong foundation in each is important to live a healthy life. I believe that the physical component of health may be of less individual importance than any of these interrelated factors. Unfortunately, the stigma of mental health issues is ever-present! The stolen Horizon airplane at […]
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