Sobering moment: How is COVID-19 impacting Minnesota’s recovery community?
Statewide restrictions placed on the number of people who can gather together have meant that Minnesota’s many recovery programs have had to rethink the way they work.
Mental Health & Addiction
Kaz Nelson: How to identify and respond to four common mental-health responses to crisis
Psychiatrist and educator Kaz Nelson discusses four common mental health reactions during the coronavirus crisis: psychological stress, grief, isolation/loneliness and panic.
Citing harm to mental health, proposed legislation aims to outlaw conversion therapy in Minnesota
Last year, a conversion therapy ban passed the Minnesota House; Sen. Scott Dibble’s companion bill has been reintroduced in the hopes of receiving a hearing and a full vote this session.
Social workers are now the ‘backbone’ of Minnesota’s mental health workforce
Growing their numbers just might be the answer to the state’s serious shortage of mental health workers.
At Camp LIVIN, survivors of suicide loss finally find their people
“Making a connection and making a friend, that’s something that grieving people need,” said camp founder Paul Thomas “PT” Hohag. “They need to feel like they have advocates and supporters.”
In a new memoir, humorist John Moe details his struggle with depression
As host of the hit podcast “The Hilarious World of Depression,” humorist John Moe spends a lot of time talking to funny people about their mental health. Now he’s written about his own.
Care for the caregiver: Wayside Recovery launches outpatient program for nurses
The Wayside program will be the first and only outpatient addiction-treatment program in Minnesota that focuses exclusively on nurses.
Macalester College’s ‘Sleep Well Initiative’ emphasizes mental health benefits of sleep
The program was introduced by Broek in 2011 as a way to help students understand the importance of sleep, and to provide tips for getting optimal shut-eye in an exciting new environment.
Giving ‘dry’ a try: Marvel Bar’s effort to expand hospitality and creativity
“It’s been powerful to see the response to this idea of making non-drinkers feel like they are our first thought, rather than an afterthought,” said owner Eric Dayton.
An architect of the ‘Minnesota Model,’ Rev. Gordon Grimm held fast to Hazelden’s mission
When Grimm died on Jan. 5, he left behind a legacy of accomplishment in addiction treatment, but those who worked with him say he will be best remembered for his focus on individuals, his generous spirit and his commitment to improving the lives of people worldwide struggling with the disease of addiction.
First-episode support group helps parents cope with the reality of their children’s psychosis
“We meet on the third Wednesday of the month,” said Michele Gran. “We’re constantly welcoming other parents in to help them understand that there is hope and life for us — even after our children’s diagnosis.”
Staffed by peers, new statewide warmline provides phone support for Minnesotans in emotional distress
MN Peer Support Connection Warmline operators are available seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
‘Happy Hour’ course teaches positive psychology skills to college students
The class was created back in 2012 by Janet Lewis Muth, Carleton College’s director of health promotion. In those days, Muth worked for the Rice County Mental Health Collective.
With Jessie Diggins and Jana Shortal on board, podcast sparks open conversation about eating disorders
Diggins said she enjoyed sharing the stage with Shortal and talking about their shared history of disordered eating; she believes that Peace Meal is a powerful tool that could help even more people learn about eating disorders and body-image issues.
Student-led Silver Ribbon Campaign fosters a culture of acceptance at South High School
The group supports and educates students about mental illness, through group discussions, conversations with mental health experts and advocacy.
New Redleaf Center at Hennepin Healthcare will support the mental health of new parents
The program will address the mental health needs of new parents, with a focus on the overall health of children and families.
Addiction experts concerned about more teens getting hooked on nicotine through vaping
Rather than seeing the total number of nicotine users in the state go down as many people had hoped, the popularity of e-cigarettes means that more young Minnesotans are becoming addicted.
High anxiety: What’s driving more teens to seek mental health care?
“Is the world today a scary place? Yes,” said Jenny Britton of Washburn Center for Children. “Is there an uptake in adolescent mental health diagnoses? We’re absolutely seeing that.”
Why a much-hyped treatment for depression faces an uncertain future
Earlier this year, the FDA approved Spravato, a move that gave the controversial practice of using ketamine to treat depression an air of professional legitimacy. But insurance companies have been slow to sanction the treatment.
Embedded stressors strain veterinarian mental health; new research to investigate
The challenges that veterinarians face include high levels of student loan debt, struggles explaining the cost of services to clients, and complex moral conundrums connected to end-of-life animal care, says Athena Diesch-Chham.
