June is PTSD Awareness Month!

Below is a curated list of resources for those living with or supporting someone else living with PTSD

Local Organizations

• Buddy Check 22
• Kankaee County VA Clinic: https://www.hines.va.gov/locations/kankakee.asp
• Clove Alliance: For survivors of sexual violence (formerly KCCASA) https://clovealliance.org/

Crisis Resources

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour hotline for anyone in emotional distress: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). There is also an online Lifeline Chat available from 5 pm to 1 am EST, weekdays.
• The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with VA responders through a 24/7 hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), PRESS 1. There is also a 24/7 online Confidential Veterans Chat or text message support at 838255.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers 24/7 anonymous access to shelters and domestic violence programs as well as legal advocacy, public education, and training: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is a 24/7 resource to link victims to counseling and legal advice: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). There is also a National Sexual Assault Online Hotline for messaging.
• The National Child Abuse Hotline is a 24/7 resource you can contact if you suspect a child is being abused, if you fear you might hurt your child, or if you have been abused: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453).

Call 911 or Go to the nearest Emergency Room

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, En Español: 1-888-628-9454

Contact the Veterans Crisis Line:

• 1-800-273-8255, press 1
• Send a text to 838255
• Chat online Confidential Veterans Chat

Apps

• PTSD Coach https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/ptsdcoach_app.asp
• PTSD Family Coach https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/familycoach_app.asp

Website Resources

• National Center for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
• Understanding PTSD: A Guide for Family and friends: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/understandingptsd_family_booklet.pdf 

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.

Will People with PTSD Get Better?

After a traumatic event, it’s normal to think, act, and feel differently than usual—but most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. “Getting better” means different things for different people. There are many different treatment options for PTSD. For many people, these treatments can get rid of symptoms altogether. Others find they have fewer symptoms or feel that their symptoms are less intense. Your symptoms don’t have to interfere with your everyday activities, work, and relationships.

What Treatments Are Available?

The main treatments for PTSD are talk therapy, medicines, or both. PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. If you have PTSD, you need to work with a mental health professional to find the best treatment for your symptoms.

• Medicines can help with the symptoms of PTSD. Antidepressants may help control symptoms such as sadness, worry, anger, and feeling numb inside. Other medicines can help with sleep problems and nightmares.
• Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, can teach you about your symptoms. You will learn how to identify what triggers them and how to manage them. Talk therapies teach people helpful ways to react to the frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms. Based on this general goal, different types of therapy may:
  • Teach about trauma and its effects
  • Use relaxation and anger-control skills
  • Provide tips for better sleep, diet, and exercise habits\Help people identify and deal with different feelings about the event
  • Focus on changing how people react to their PTSD symptoms.

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.

June is PTSD Awareness Month!

PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. 

According to a 2015 national survey, first responders, including police officers, paramedics, emergency med techs, firefighters and emergency workers, are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide on average than other people. 

Veterans, first responders and others face traumatic events every day as part of their profession. This can include traffic or physical accidents, physical or sexual assault, mugging, robbery or family violence; mass traumatic events, severe weather events, and witnessing terrible things. Experiencing a traumatic event can impact people in different ways. One person may perceive an event as deeply traumatic, while another person does not. This is why it’s critical we all know and understand the signs and symptoms of PTSD and know what to do if someone around us is struggling.

If a person is experiencing the following symptoms 4+ weeks after a trauma, encourage professional help. 

1. Are still very upset or fearful.
2. Seem unable to escape intense, ongoing feelings of distress.
3. Withdraw from family or friends and/or important relationships are suffering.
4. Feel jumpy or have trauma-related nightmares.
5. Can’t stop thinking about the trauma.
6. Are unable to enjoy life at all.
7. Have post-traumatic symptoms that are interfering with usual activities.

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointmentor to ask about your EAP benefits.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Below is a curated list of mental health resources, personally selected by your

Well In Mind EAP team to support you:

Websites, Online Programs

1. “One Year Later”- a FREE, 10  day guide toward healing the many losses and hardships caused by the pandemic:  https://www.talkspace.com/healing
2. “Lifelines”– A FREE online program and resources towards self-acceptance related to mental health:  https://www.lifelines.com/
3. Real Mental Health- A monthly subscription program to track your well-being, engage in different pathways towards wellness, and access to therapist led virtual events and roundtables: https://www.join-real.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1a6EBhC0ARIsAOiTkrGrWJm5ZXe5qFbGtfPjnZbT2VbtsndF0vYHOPEcqfFzIrHRYjIe8B8aAjp_EALw_wcB
4. Happify- A website based in positive psychology that has articles, quick tips, and webinars to boost joy and resilience: https://www.happify.com/
5. Character Strengths– Take a free assessment to discover your character strengths, and learn how to utilize them to increase resilience: https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths-via
6. Grief support: https://whatsyourgrief.com/
7. Grief support: https://grief.com/
8. Healing Health- Free online coloring pages and guided meditations: https://www.healinghealth.com/covid-resources/
9. To find human service resources in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties: https://www.kanihelp.org/
10. “Mental Health Conditions”- an overview of a variety of mental health disorders, including information about symptoms, causes, risks, and treatment options: https://www.talkspace.com/mental-health/conditions/

Books

1. The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown: improve self-worth and confidence
2. The anxious thoughts Workbook, David Clark: improve intrusive thoughts that are part of anxiety, obsessions, and depression
3. The 7 principles for making marriage work, Dr. John Gottman: from 30 years of research, 7 principles for enhancing and restoring marriage
4. The self-care prescription, Dr. Robyn Gobin: An in-depth and easy to utilize resource for intentionally enhancing self-care across life areas

Podcasts

1. 6 Mental Health Podcasts to Boost your Well-Being: https://my.happify.com/hd/6-mental-health-podcasts-to-boost-your-well-being/
2. Unlocking Us, Brene Brown: Learn about vulnerability and strength and resilience (podcast)
3. The Healing Catalyst, Dr. Avanti Kumar Singh: an MD and ayurvedic practitioner that discusses holistic stress management and wellness (podcast)

Instagram Accounts to Follow

1. Mswjake (Instagram) – shares helpful and empowering information on trauma and healing
2. Findyourshinetherapy (Instagram) – shares helpful and empowering information on a variety of mental health topics
3. Curious.parenting (Instagram)- helpful for parents trying to manage tough child behaviors
4. Psychedmommy (Instagram)- wonderful for mom’s feeling burnt out
5. Biglittlefeelings (Instagram)- tips for parents with toddlers having tantrums
6. Mommyonthemove (Instagram) – fun for busy mom’s, validating and humorous
7. Dralicepsyd (Instagram) – support for post-partum/moms
8. Jayshetty (Instagram) – variety of support for a well-rounded and whole life
9. Psych_today: learn about mental wellness and tips for enhancing it
10. The Holistic Psychologist (Instagram)- shares helpful and empowering information on a variety of mental health topics
11. Journey_to_wellness_ : graphics on how to cope with anxiety and depression

Apps

1. Rootd: Contains lessons on wellness, breathing exercises, a journal, visualizations, and sleep tools
2. Calm: a large variety of music and recorded meditations, imagery, breathing exercises, and check-ins to reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia
3. Sanvello: track symptoms and access meditation, learning modules, and other skills/activities to improve your mental health. Also includes anonymous community for support
4. Rise Up: eating disorder recovery support
5. Gratitude Garden: based on positive psychology, increase your gratitude to decrease depression and stress
6. Jour: Journal prompts, breathing tools, insights
7. MHU: an app that teaches you the basics of mental illness, and has resources for what to do if someone is having a mental health crisis
8. Happify: An app (based off of the website listed above) that has tools and resources to boost resilience and decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
9. Thefabstory: app for improving habits

Well In Mind is here for you.  Call 815-933-2240 to schedule an appointment or to ask about your EAP benefits.