Western Tidewater Community Service Board Blog
Why Living in a World Made for Neurotypicals Makes Autistic Individuals Feel Overwhelmed, Worthless, and Hopeless
The way we do everything in our society – how we socialize, how we work, how we learn, and how we are expected to react to our environment – is based on how the neurotypical (NT) brain functions. We know that most NT people have no major problems with making eye contact, participating in small talk, or understanding other peoples’ emotions, and that they don’t get overwhelmed by their environments, but autistics and other neurodivergent (ND) people often experience challenges when it comes to functioning in our complex world, making each work or school day harder than it is for their NT counterparts.
How Incorporating Small Acts of Kindness Into Your Day Can Change Your View on Life
What if we told you there’s an extremely simple way you can elevate your mood, feel good, live a happier life, and maybe even live longer – and that you could help others while helping yourself? Research shows that performing simple acts of kindness has a range of positive impacts on mental health and quality of life for both the person extending the kindness, and the person receiving it.
What To Do If You Think You Have Autism As An Adult?
This blog post was written by Christina Davis, MS, Resident in Counseling According to a study published by the CDC (2020), it's reported that 2.21% of adults living in the United States have been diagnosed with autism - either receiving the diagnosis as a child or an...
Get Help Before It Becomes a Crisis – Mental Illness Preventative Care
Preventative mental health care encourages and increases the protection that can prevent the onset of a diagnosable mental disorder, and it also reduces the risk factors that can lead to a crisis. Preventative mental health care is much less costly, and the duration of treatment is shorter compared to the intervention required following a major mental health episode. Much time is lost when a person ignores mental health symptoms – time that could have allowed early intervention and getting better soon.
Recognizing Adult Bullying and Why It’s Ok To Speak Up
When we think of bullying, we think of children stealing lunch money, or teenagers attacking each other physically or emotionally. We don’t usually think of adults – at work, at home, at social events, going about in their day-to-day lives – as bullies. But the truth is that adult bullying is very much a real thing. A survey conducted by Harris Poll found that 31% of Americans have been bullied as an adult.
5 Resources to Help Parents Caring for a Child with Intellectual Disability With No Support System
When your child has been diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID), or you think your child may have ID, and you feel like you have no support system, it can feel lonely and overwhelming at times, but when you’re strong enough to reach out for help, you and your child can both live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. In this blog post, we’ve collected five of the best resources available in Virginia for families of children with ID. We hope that we’re able to answer your questions and get you in contact with the help you’re looking for.
Why Should Adults with Autism Choose a Therapist with a Background in Neurodiversity?
When someone is neurodiverse (like someone who’s autistic or someone who has ADHD), their brain is ‘wired’ differently, and, as a result, they will manage their emotions and respond to life’s stresses differently. They simply experience things a little differently than neurotypical people. Because of the neurological differences in their brain, they might struggle more with things like taking care of themselves, accomplishing tasks or goals, and forming and maintaining relationships with others. They also often have higher levels of anxiety and depression. For all these reasons, mental health counseling is most effective for autistic individuals when working with a therapist who understands neurodiversity.
I Have Nobody to Talk to and Sometimes I Think About Ending My Life
Too many people experience suicidal thoughts and suffer from deep mental health distress and do so while feeling as if they have nobody to turn to for the care that they need. We hear these words way too often, “I don’t have anyone to talk to about my thoughts…and sometimes I contemplate killing myself.” We want you to know that help is available today, and we urge you to not hesitate. There is no shame in seeking help. Reach out for support right now.
10 Ways to Celebrate Your Recovery This Month!
Whether you’ve been sober for two weeks or two years, you’ve really accomplished something, and you need to remember and celebrate that, and not just during National Recovery Month, but all the time. In this blog post, we’ve outlined 10 ways you can celebrate your recovery this National Recovery Month and every month.
How Does Depression and Anxiety Present in Autistic Individuals?
Anxiety and depression are more prevalent in the autistic community, compared to the general population. 40% of autistic people have elevated levels of anxiety or an anxiety disorder and autistics are four times more likely to experience depression, compared to the rest of the population – but the symptoms of these conditions may be harder to recognize in individuals with autism.
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We provide integrated services and relief for multiple mental health needs, support for individuals with developmental disabilities, and substance abuse help.
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Who We Are
Western Tidewater CSB is the leading authority in mental health and developmental services in Franklin, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, and Southampton County. Learn more about what truly sets us apart.