Matt Shaw knew it was time to talk to somebody when the boy he had tried to save showed up in his dreams and on the face of his own son. “Our job in the emergency medical services is to be there for a person’s worst day,” said the Guardian Medical Transport battalion chief. “But for us, that’s just Monday.” What first responders experience on the job doesn’t necessarily go away when their shift is over. Often, they carry the trauma from a single horrific call – or the cumulative effect of many … [Read more...] about Understanding the Hidden Trauma of First Responders
mental health
Meeting our Community Members Where They Are, Thanks to Technology
Telehealth is a way to receive healthcare services remotely using technology like video calls, phone calls or apps. It allows patients to consult with doctors, therapists and other providers without needing to travel to a clinic or hospital. Telehealth brings many healthcare opportunities to communities, including counseling. Many people turn to therapy to address challenges such as social isolation, economic stress, depression and anxiety. For some, seeking care in person can be difficult … [Read more...] about Meeting our Community Members Where They Are, Thanks to Technology
Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?
Greek physician Hippocrates had it right in the fifth century B.C., says internist Robert C. Smith, M.D., a distinguished professor at Michigan State University and pioneer in patient-centered communication. “Greek clinicians saw no reason to separate patients’ mental and physical elements, viewing them as a single unit. Practitioners incorporated mental disorders into medicine, recognizing melancholia [depression] and mania [bipolar disorder] for example, as part of everyday health care,” he … [Read more...] about Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?
Regulating Emotions: A Key to Recovery and Healthier Relationships
In the journey of sobriety and long-term recovery, one of the most important skills to develop is emotional regulation. This foundational ability supports not only individual well-being, but also the capacity to build and sustain healthy, meaningful relationships. For many individuals struggling with addiction, emotional regulation has often been replaced by substance use. Drugs and alcohol can temporarily numb uncomfortable feelings or offer escape from stress, grief, or anxiety – creating a … [Read more...] about Regulating Emotions: A Key to Recovery and Healthier Relationships
Seven Tips to Help Combat Seasonal Depression
As the vibrant colors of autumn paint the landscape of Flagstaff, many residents find themselves facing a common challenge: seasonal depression. This mood disorder, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), typically arises as daylight hours diminish and it can significantly impact mental well-being. Here are some effective strategies to combat this condition and embrace the beauty of fall. 1. Light Therapy One of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy. Specialized light … [Read more...] about Seven Tips to Help Combat Seasonal Depression
Finding Safety When I Needed It Most: How Flagstaff’s Guidance Center Helped Me Through Crisis and Reminded Me I Wasn’t Alone
A year ago, I came frighteningly close to losing my life. After a serious suicide attempt, I didn’t end up at The Guidance Center right away, but in the months that followed, I was admitted twice to their Psychiatric Acute Care (PAC) Unit. Both times, I walked through those doors in crisis. Both times, I walked out feeling safer than when I came in. I want to share that, because I know how hard it can be to take that first step toward getting help. The PAC Unit is a 16-bed emergency … [Read more...] about Finding Safety When I Needed It Most: How Flagstaff’s Guidance Center Helped Me Through Crisis and Reminded Me I Wasn’t Alone
Supporting Northern Arizonans’ Mental Health
School’s out for summer and for many it’s time for travel and relaxation. But for those of us at The Guidance Center, we’re reinforcing our commitment to being available for those who need us. You may be familiar with the statistic that one in five Americans faces a diagnosable mental illness. Even more will experience some type of mental health crisis. These experiences affect our businesses, our families and friends, our neighbors and, often, ourselves. At The Guidance Center, we provide … [Read more...] about Supporting Northern Arizonans’ Mental Health
Tips to Recover from Stress, Feeling Overwhelmed
I think we can all wholeheartedly agree that the last two years have been quite stressful. I see a lot of patients feeling very overwhelmed because of the strain. They are having trouble bouncing back and feeling like their normal selves. The truth is that stress will always be present in our lives, but it’s how we respond to the stress that matters in terms of our physical, mental and emotional health. I’d like to provide some tips to help recover from a prolonged period of stress that have … [Read more...] about Tips to Recover from Stress, Feeling Overwhelmed
Outdoor Adventure Therapy: Treating Mental Health Issues that Lead to Addiction
Society can sometimes take a binary view on the way that we look at addiction. A person begins doing drugs and alcohol recreationally, which leads to overindulging in drugs or alcohol, which leads to addiction that requires treatment. However, as we continue to better understand mental health issues and the role these issues play in addiction, we being to understand that some people’s relationship with mental health and addiction is much more complicated. The last two years, from the start of … [Read more...] about Outdoor Adventure Therapy: Treating Mental Health Issues that Lead to Addiction
How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood
Have your ever heard the saying, ‘the gut is the second brain’? Have you ever wondered what it means when people say that? I’d like to answer that question and more today! First, the second brain is your enteric nervous system (ENS) and it consists of hundreds of millions of neurons, or nerve cells, that line your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. The connection between the gut and the brain is becoming more and more recognized when it comes to our moods, such as anxiety … [Read more...] about How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood