Mental Health Archives - Sarpy County, Nebraska CASA

Regaining Control Over OCD

20December2024Alexis SanteeControl, Disorder, Mental Health, OCD, training, Treatments

While obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder, it can be managed in several ways that can change intrusive thoughts from a roar to a whisper. As debilitating as OCD can be, individuals can respond very well to different treatments. So how can we know which is best for us, and how can we

Depression 101

20December2024Alexis SanteeDepression, Help, Mental Health, training, Webinar

Depression is often described by folks experiencing it as a sadness that encompasses your life, impacts your day-to-day activities, and limits your functioning as you’d normally want to. It’s a condition known for its feelings of hopelessness and often worthlessness—and is misunderstood by many as something “you can snap out of.” Depression comes in many

Why Words Matter in Mental Health Care

20December2024Alexis SanteeAbilities, Hope, Mental Health

No one wants to be known by a medical diagnosis or defined by symptoms. Describing someone by their condition can be perceived as labeling or stigmatizing and does not encourage patients to explore their abilities and strengths. By incorporating recovery-oriented practice into psychiatric care, patients can be empowered to leverage hope and resilience to create

Coping With the Uncontrollable

20December2024Alexis SanteeCoping, Mental Health, skills

2020 gave us plenty of unexpected events and turned our lives upside down in many ways. Whether we’ve experienced job loss, grief, loss of community, kids learning from home, or some combination of stressors, we’ve been handed a lot to deal with in a very short amount of time. Many of us, especially folks in

Understanding the Link Between Physical and Mental Health

26November2024Alexis Santeebody, Brain, Mental Health, Physical Health, State of Mind

There are many associations between mental health and physical health. As the World Health Organization has stated, “There is no health without mental health.” Physical activity and good nutrition have been proven to positively influence how we feel and can help manage the symptoms of numerous mental health conditions. On the other hand, poor physical

Addressing Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents

26November2024Alexis Santeeadolescents, Borderline Personality Disorder, Mental Health, Treatment

Adolescence is often marked by intense emotions, and it’s not unusual for young people to experience mood swings or act impulsively. Typically, these patterns are dismissed as part of growing up, but sometimes they’re actually signs of a complex, frequently misunderstood mental health condition known as borderline personality disorder, or BPD. And while it might

When Perfect Becomes Problematic: Perfectionism and More

26November2024Alexis SanteeChallenges, Kids, Mental Health, Perfectionism

Children grow up with all kinds of incentives to strive for perfection—from the encouragement of adults to the recognition and personal pride that can follow great achievement. There’s no question that this drive often serves kids and teens well. But, taken too far, it can also create serious mental health challenges for them, including anxiety,

Promoting Positive Mental Health in K-12 Students

26November2024Alexis SanteeKids, Mental Health, Teachers, Teens

There’s no question that teachers and faculty members at elementary, middle, and high schools play critical roles in the educational growth of the students in their care. Through their work, they have the power to impart knowledge, foster a love of learning, and help shape future careers. It’s becoming increasingly clear, though, that these school

The Role of Self-Acceptance for Good Mental Health

22October2024Alexis SanteeAcceptance, Mental Health, training, Youtube

There are many positive mental health outcomes associated with acceptance. Being able to accept life’s curveballs helps us lead emotionally healthier and psychologically better lives. So why is it so difficult for us to be more accepting? And is acceptance like a muscle, where we can train ourselves to be better and stronger? Please click

The Connections Between Parent & Child Mental Health

22October2024Alexis SanteeAdults, children, Mental Health, Webinar

A child’s mental health is not just supported by their parents or caregivers—it can be shaped by them. Mentally healthy children rely heavily on them as the foundation for becoming independent, successful, happy adults. However, parents face plenty of challenges when looking after children, and sometimes it can negatively impact their mental health. Parents and

Sarpy County, Nebraska CASA

Sarpy County CASA: Advocating for foster children in Nebraska