Western Tidewater Community Service Board Blog
The Purpose of Life is a Life with Purpose.
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.
The Problem With the Social Media “Self-diagnosis” Trend
Self-diagnosis of mental health conditions has become very popular on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. While people often self-diagnose themselves with any number of conditions, it’s become more common to self-diagnose mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. This includes more common conditions like depression and anxiety, serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or ADHD.
The Deep Impact of Stress on Our Lives
Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest challenges that we’re facing today. Sadly, even though we know this is the case, we are still not taking it seriously enough. Stress contributes to multiple mental and physical health problems, but it also impacts us in significant ways that many of us are not aware of.
How Alcohol and Suicide Are Connected – A Fact Sheet
Many people use alcohol as self-medication. Whether they suffer from anxiety or another mental illness, some kind of mood or personality disorder, or are trying to cope with a trauma, many people turn to alcohol in an attempt to forget their problems. The chronic use of this substance, however, can mean that someone builds a tolerance, dependence, and eventually an addiction.
Why Alcohol Awareness Month Is Important
Alcohol Awareness Month was started to raise awareness of the dangers of binge drinking and the risks of alcohol dependence. Another goal of Alcohol Awareness Month is to raise awareness of alcohol abuse in the U.S. and to fight the stigma surrounding it.
Showing Self-Compassion to Ourselves Even When We Struggle with Self-Harm
Allowing yourself to see who you are (awareness) without being unkind is the key starting point when it comes to self-compassion. Without awareness, you cannot stop your negative feelings and move on to healthy thinking. If you practice being mindful of self-compassion each day, you can improve your mental health and fight the thoughts that lead to self-harming behaviors.
Why Every Clinical Provider Should Have Training in Neurological Differences
As clinicians, we know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. We recognize that our clients are unique individuals, with their own experiences, needs and viewpoints. Being informed about neurodiversity is simply another way to recognize and support those differences.
WTCSB Services
We provide integrated services and relief for multiple mental health needs, support for individuals with developmental disabilities, and substance abuse help.
Same Day Access
Our exclusive Same-Day Access to care and 24/7 crisis intervention means our caring team of clinicians and counselors are always within reach.
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.