Western Tidewater Community Service Board Blog


Starting Over – Becoming Clean After a Relapse
Sometimes life feels like such a struggle, and that’s especially true when it comes to fighting addiction. Making the decision to recover makes you feel so powerful. Maybe that’s why a relapse makes you feel powerless. And why, afterwards, getting back on track seems impossible, or even pointless. But you should know that, even if you’ve relapsed, you’re still doing a great job. You made the choice to fight and change your life, and every time you get back up and try again, you’re proving that you’re committed to that decision.

10 Signs of Mental Illness Not To Ignore
While it’s absolutely not your fault if someone you know dies by suicide, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to be vigilant for signs and prevent suicide when you can. If someone you know is showing any of the following signs, do not ignore them. You might be the one to be there for them. You might prevent a suicide.

Mental Health Support in Virginia Classrooms
At WTCSB, we offer SCIP OP – outpatient therapy services from the School Counseling Intervention Program. The program allows you to enroll your child in therapy services at school. There’s no need for an office visit – we’re in multiple schools across Suffolk, so it’s likely that your child’s school offers our services.

Why Gun Violence Awareness Month Is So Important
We know that gun violence is a major problem in the United States, but it may be worse than you think. A growing number of healthcare providers consider gun violence to be a public health issue – and many are calling it an ‘epidemic’.

Have a Happier Pride Month – 7 Places the LGBTQ+ Community Can Get Mental Health Help in and Around Suffolk, Virginia
Although the LGBTQ+ community has won many rights over the years, we still have farther to go when it comes to creating true equity. There are many reasons a lot of LGBTQ+ people struggle with their mental health, including the challenges and threats the community still faces today.

The Stigma Around Mental Illness for Christians
For decades there has been a debate regarding the stigma around mental illness for Christians. For centuries, people have considered mental health treatment and Christianity as two separate fields with no relationship between them. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year. That’s 43.8 million people, or 18.5% of the population. And 64% of Americans identify as Christian, making it likely that mental illness affects this large population.

How to Live Mentally Healthy and Stay Mentally Healthy
The words how to live mentally healthy and stay mentally healthy might sound like empty buzzwords with no meaning, especially if you are struggling with mental health and feel as if you have nowhere to turn for help. We want you to know that help is available.

Sharing Our Personal Experience With Mental Health Reduces Stigma and Can Help Our Community
When you talk about your experiences with your mental health, you’re not only able to help yourself by getting the services and support you need, you’re able to help those you share your story with. When you share your story, you normalize your experiences and others who are going through the same thing are validated, and are more likely to also seek help. This knocks down barriers and, in time, will lead to a healthier, happier community.

Making Mental Health Care Accessible for All This Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) was created to raise awareness of mental health and the stigma surrounding it and to highlight the importance of that awareness. That makes MHAM the perfect time to raise awareness of another aspect of mental health – the inequity of mental health care in our country.

Talking About Prevention
Prevention doesn’t mean that you won’t face any challenges, or that you’ll never struggle with your mental health, but what it does mean is that you’ll have the knowledge you need to handle life’s challenges. You’ll know where things are really coming from, what it means, how you could respond and how to reduce the likelihood that you’ll experience a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
WTCSB Services
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.