All posts tagged Mental Health

Spring into Mental Health: Stress, and how to manage it.


Did you know April is National Stress Awareness Month? I just found out today, and I must say I’m excited. Nothing like a month full of spring showers, budding trees, blooming flowers, and more sunshine to spend some time contemplating the stress in our lives and learning about ways to reduce it.

This morning, The Huffington Post published an article on 10 new things we’ve learned about stress in the past year. Here are the highlights:

  • Too much job-related stress increases our chances of having a heart attack and accelerates aging. It can also make women and men more prone to diabetes.
  • When we smile, we lower our heart rate. Try smiling after a stressful moment – it may help you calm yourself and feel a bit better.
  • Even thinking about stress can stress us out and impact our heart health. A study published in the journal Annals of Behavior Medicine showed that people who felt anxious and stressed about everyday life are more at risk for heart conditions, arthritis, and other chronic health issues in the future.
  • Millennials – people between the ages of 18 and 33 – currently experience more stress than any other generation. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, the greatest cause of stress for this group is work-related.
  • Stress is contagious! We can feel others’ stress and then start feeling it ourselves.

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To counter all the stress in our everyday lives, The Huffington Post suggests we incorporate mindful meditation – which means learning to focus on being in the present – into our daily lives.

Check out these other blog posts for different ideas on how to reduce stress.

> How to Practice Mindful Meditation
> A Meditation Technique for the Absolute Beginner
> Managing Work Stress: Workplace Stress
> A piece of nature for peace of mind.

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by ywcakatie on April 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on April 1, 2013

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/spring-into-mental-health-stress-and-how-to-manage-it/

Self-Care, Self-Aware


While driving to work this morning on I-5, through the hustle and bustle of Seattle traffic, I began to notice another one of those oh-so-familiar sensations. A panic attack was coming. Unfortunately I was in no position to pull over and collect my thoughts, only making me panic more.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened to you,” I tried telling myself. “All you need to do is breathe.” I kept repeating over in my head: breathe… breathe… breathe. While breathing, all I could do was think, “Why does this keep happening to me? When did I become this person?”

I often wonder why I experience panic attacks, and I never seem to come up with a solid reason for myself. Or, I have too many reasons and then there goes my panic all over again. Do I love myself enough to take care of myself? I feel I do. I believe I do.

One thing I do to take care of myself is go to self-care retreats where I learn and share with many women who are also there trying to care for themselves in their own way. This Saturday, BABES Network is holding our annual One-Day Self-Care Retreat. I look forward to going every year.

Self-care retreats are great. And it’s also helpful to look for resources in other spaces. Whether through Google or Bing, or through friends, family and professional relationships, I’ve been able to find an abundance of information from different perspectives and from different places. I’ve learned many things from many people:

Be in a space where you can give yourself permission to be okay with who you are and know that the steps you take forward in life and the skills or lessons you learn along the way are the ones that create you. This is something I’ve learned and it’s something I like to think of as my mantra. It’s hard for me to talk about self-care because I know I have been guilty of not self-caring, but that’s just it. I think it’s about recognizing that you don’t, so you do.

Setting realistic goals for yourself is crucial and rewarding yourself when you have been successful in achieving them is just as important. We shouldn’t always look for someone else to give us our Kudos when they’re free and you can give them to yourself any time you feel like you’ve earned it.

Here are a few resources I think are really helpful. To learn more about self-care and what it is, visit Fort Garrey Women’s Resource Centre. Their fact sheet is informative and easy to read. University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work‘s website provides a lot of self-care exercises and activities on mindfulness, time management, reducing stress, and more.

~ Tonya Rasberry

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by ywcakatie on February 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Community Mental Health, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on February 6, 2013

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/self-care-self-aware/

Another successful Rainbow Health Fair!


The 14th Annual LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair on Saturday, June 23rd was a wild success! Thank you to everyone who put their time, energy, services, and passion into this wonderful event! Just in case you missed it, here are a few snapshots from the day itself. For more information on the LBTQ Rainbow Health Fair, visit the YWCA’s LBTQ Health Blog.

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by ywcakatie on June 29, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on June 29, 2012

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/another-successful-rainbow-health-fair/

14th Annual Rainbow Health Fair at Pride


Join us for a fun, vibrant, active, and informative health fair this Saturday at Pride! It’ll be bigger and better than ever before, at Seattle Central Community College.

Saturday, June 23rd
1pm – 5pm
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway
Seattle
 
Peer providers will share their services, including acupuncture, massage, energy healing, Zumba, stretching with Tamara the Trapeze Lady, HIV testing, cholesterol checks, naturopathic consultation, coming out services, mental health education, and a wonderful laughter session provided by our own Ingrid Berkhout.
 
The Swedish Breast Center Mammography Coach will join us on-site for no-cost mammograms. Grace Chapman, ARNP, will also be providing pap tests. Eligible individuals for these no-cost services must be income-eligible, and 40 or over. Insurance is also accepted. To schedule your mammogram and pap test, call YWCA Women’s Health Outreach’s Marilyn Calbert at 206.461.4489.
 
We are so excited to be holding this health fair again this year, bringing back many interactive and critical health services to Rainbow! Check out the YWCA’s LBTQ Health Blog to learn more about the 50-odd volunteer providers participating in this health fair and bringing free services to the community!
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by ywcakatie on June 21, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on June 21, 2012

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/14th-annual-rainbow-health-fair-at-pride/

Taking Action! A Women’s Health & Wellness Fair


Join BABES Network-YWCA on Thursday, March 8th to celebrate National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day!

The health fair will run from 4pm-8pm at the YWCA in downtown Seattle – at 1118 Fifth Avenue. You’ll have access to free screenings, including HIV testing, Hepatitis-C testing, blood pressure checks and diabetes testing. Other local health and women’s organizations will also be on-site to share information.

The health education panel discussion will start at 6pm, with 3 women living with HIV and 3 community members.

All women and girls are invited – especially those at risk of contracting HIV and who are struggling financially. Come take advantage of the fair’s free health screenings!

“Women often place themselves last on their ‘to do’ list,” said Nicole Price, BABES program manager. “This is a great opportunity for women to take inventory of their health and with that information, become empowered to focus on wellness.”

The HIV testing and follow-up counseling will take place in a private room, with the other screenings taking place in the YWCA’s multi-purpose room.

Many thanks to our health fair partners!

Met Meds Pharmacy
AARTH
HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
YWCA Women’s Health Outreach
Rise and Shine
AIDS Clinical Trials Unit
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health
Hope Heart Institute
Hepatitis Educational Project
Center for Multicultural Health
Seattle Counseling Services
Gay City Health Project
Screenpointe
Lifelong AIDS Alliance

Funding for this activity was made possible in part by the HHS, Office on Women’s Health. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators at HHS-sponsored conferences, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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by ywcakatie on March 6, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network
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Posted by ywcakatie on March 6, 2012

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/taking-action-a-womens-health-wellness-fair/

Postpartum Depression: Symptoms & Tips


We often experience lots of excitement and anticipation surrounding the birth of a new baby. Family members start making and freezing casseroles to help out the new parents, coworkers find the perfect onesy to give at the baby shower, and parents are making sure they have all the diapers, burp cloths and bibs they’ll need for the next 2-3 years. With all that build-up, it can be surprising when a parent experiences disinterest, severe exhaustion, and/or trouble making decisions. These are just a few symptoms of postpartum depression, experienced by both women and men.
 
One out of every 8 women will experience postpartum depression after delivery – so it’s important to know the signs and to know what you can do to relieve its symptoms. And many people are surprised to find out that men can experience postpartum depression too. Because many people, including health care providers, are unaware that postpartum depression affects men as well, the men who do suffer from it do so in isolation.
 
Recently, the March of Dimes blogged about the “baby blues” – also known as postpartum depression. In their blog post, they give a quick overview of what postpartum depression is, what it looks like, when it’s more likely to show up, and what can be done to relieve it. Here are some of March of Dimes’ tips for dealing with postpartum depression:
  • Talk to your partner or a good friend about how you feel
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Ask your partner, friends and family for help
  • Take time for yourself
  • Get out of the house every day, even if it’s just for a short while
  • Join a new mother’s group and share your feelings with the women you meet there

For more information on postpartum depression, check out the March of Dimes’ website where they share more comprehensive information.

Here are some other blog posts written by moms who have experienced postpartum depression, peer advocates, and mental health service providers, as well as a quick video of how postpartum depression also affects men.

“Baby blues” also known as Postpartum Depression
Baby Blues
Postpartum Depression: It Doesn’t Just “Happen” to White Women
Post Partum Depression Help
About Postpartum Progress

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by ywcakatie on January 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Healthy Birth Outcomes
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Posted by ywcakatie on January 27, 2012

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/postpartum-depression-symptoms-tips/

Great Expressions Employee Mistreated for HIV+ Status


Although the title “Great Expressions” Dental Centers may seem like a very inviting establishment, the unbelievably inhumane actions performed on  HIV+ employee James White by former colleagues speak to quite the contrary.

White, 26, was diagnosed with HIV after roughly 6 months as a Great Expressions employee in Detroit, Michigan. As soon as he was diagnosed, White wanted to assure his health by making various appointments and visits, thus forcing him to take several days off from his job. When confronted by his office manager, White shared his HIV+ status, thus starting a whirlwind of emotional and mental torture that was to ensue for the following seven months.

After White’s office manager became aware of his HIV+ status, he quickly spread word to Great Expressions’ Regional Director, who refused to acknowledge the difference between an HIV and AIDS diagnosis, and furthermore, spread the information about White’s status to the entire staff.

After months of being followed around with cans of Lysol, banned from touching doorknobs, and enduring endless taunts and criticisms that “degraded [him] as a person,” White was hospitalized with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. He is currently fighting against the actions of Great Expressions in the court of law.

Want to make a difference in this case? You can sign this petition heralded by Change.org, make your voice heard, and ensure the future health and safety of James White, and many other HIV+ individuals who are exposed to this unwarranted, ridiculous behavior on a daily basis.

Information for this article was provided by Change.org and POZ Magazine.

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by ywcavolunteer on January 10, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network
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Posted by ywcavolunteer on January 10, 2012

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/great-expressions-employee-mistreated-for-hiv-status/

No-cost preventive services


This morning, the Kaiser Family Foundation published a press release and new fact sheet on the preventive services that private health plans must now cover, as directed by the Affordable Care Act (health care reform). These requirements went into effect August 1, 2011.

The preventive services that private health plans and insurance companies must now cover include:

  • Routine immunizations (influenza, HPV, tetanus, hepatitis A & B, and more)
  • Screenings for conditions like cancer and high cholesterol
  • Preventive services for children and youth (behavioral and developmental assessments, iron and fluoride supplements, and screening for autism, vision impairment, lipid disorders, tuberculosis, and certain genetic diseases)
  • Preventive services for women (annual well-woman check-ups, testing for STIs and HIV, support for breastfeeding, contraception methods, and screening and counseling for domestic violence)

On top of having to provide these health and screening services, private health plans and insurance companies may not charge co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance to patients. However, these requirements do not apply to any plan that maintains “grandfathered” status – meaning that the plan must have been in existence prior to March 23, 2010 and cannot have made significant changes to the plan’s coverage.

To read about these services and their impact in-depth, please check out the Kaiser Family Foundation’s fact sheet.

This is a follow-up to our post in early August, after the Department of Health and Human Services announced that women may now receive preventive health services at no additional cost.

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by ywcakatie on September 1, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in BABES Network, Health Care Access, Healthy Birth Outcomes, Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on September 1, 2011

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/no-cost-preventive-services/

It’s time to take care of YOU!


Join Women’s Health Outreach-YWCA on Saturday, August 27th, from 9am-3pm at New Hope Health Center at Fellowship Bible Church in Tukwila, WA.

We’re bringing free and low-cost mammograms to New Hope’s health fair – so contact Marilyn Calbert at 206.461.4489 to schedule an appointment. Or just stop by the health fair next Saturday for a general adult physical exam.

You’ll have access to information on and services for:

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Hypertension
  • High Cholesterol
  • Heart Disease
  • Depression
  • Coughs
  • Rashes
  • Sprains
  • Minor Burns

For more information about New Hope Health Center, visit their website or give them a call at 206.453.1868.

-Katie Barnett

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by ywcakatie on August 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Women's Health Outreach
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Posted by ywcakatie on August 18, 2011

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/its-time-to-take-care-of-you/

Pregnancy & Nutrition: some helpful hints


Did you know if you eat half a plate of veggies at meal times, you will get all the folic acid you need? Or that you need vitamin D in order to absorb calcium?  These  are just a couple of the helpful tips our Moms-2-Be group learned from Amy and Sarah, who joined us from the Nutrition and Psychology program at Bastyr University.

Amy discussed with us the importance of eating whole foods. Whole foods are foods that are not processed or refined – basically, food that’s not been changed in any way, or that has been changed very little. It’s what you eat straight from the garden.

Processed foods are manufactured through different methods to transform raw ingredients into packaged foods. These foods need certain ingredients so they will last longer on the shelves.  Some of the artificial ingredients used include monosodium glutamate (MSG), flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oil, fillers, and artificial sweeteners. Whole foods typically do not contain added ingredients, such as salt, carbohydrates, or fat and are just better for you. LESS IS MORE!

Also! Say goodbye to the Nutritional Pyramid, and take a look at the new “My Plate” planner. This is the new model for measuring your daily intake of nutrition, and it’s super helpful!  Here are some quick tips:

Grains: 6 oz./day

Veggies: 2.5 cups/day

Fruits: 1.5-2 cups/day

Milk: 3 cups/day

Proteins: 5-5.5 oz./day (1 oz. of protein is equal to a tablespoon of peanut butter, 1/4 cup cooked beans or tofu, 1 egg,  12 almonds, 12 pistachios) another hint: 3 oz. is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm or your hand.

And here are some helpful hints from Moms-2-Be participants have for getting  protein and nutritional needs throughout the day!

1. Cook a dozen hard-boiled eggs at the beginning of the week! Eggs are packed with protein, and hardboiled eggs are great on their own, or in a salad with some fruit and nuts. However you like them, they are easy and quick.

2.   Canned salmon is a fast and easy source for omega, protein and vitamin D.  You can make salmon patties for salmon burgers or mix it like tuna fish for sandwiches.

3.   Some other fish is good to eat, but don’t eat too much because it contains mercury. You can eat up to 12 oz. a week of shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna.  It’s recommended that you eat no more than 6 oz. of Albacore White Tuna.

3. NUTS! NUTS! NUTS! Carry a bag of mixed nuts around with you! Nuts are a great source of protein, iron and omega!  Add some nuts with your salad to give it a little extra crunchy kick!

4. A tablespoon of molasses is also a great source of iron!

5. Another helpful tip is to cook all your deli meats before eating them and putting them in sandwiches. This will help you avoid Listeria.

6. Remember to avoid non-pasteurized cheeses and milk, such as cotija, brie, blue cheese and feta.  Hard cheeses are your best bet!

By eating healthy you are ensuring you are getting all your nutritional needs and that of your growing baby. The foods you eat are what helps your baby develop!

-Logan Hunt

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by loganywca1 on August 11, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Healthy Birth Outcomes
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Posted by loganywca1 on August 11, 2011

https://healthaccessywca.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/pregnancy-nutrition-some-helpful-hints/

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