by Tanya Ruhl Looking around this past Halloween, we have all seen them, the strait jackets, the masks with the bars over the mouths so you can’t be bitten, even the outfits that say psych ward with a patient number on them. Every year these costumes come out, but that’s not all. We even have …

We spend a lot of time focused on the struggles that come along with mental health and substance use disorders, but during National Recovery Month, we’re taking a different approach and recognizing and honoring those who have come through on the other side.  At Retreat, we see firsthand just how difficult it can be to …

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day – a global event dedicated to increasing education on the realities of drug overdoses and reducing the stigma of substance use disorder. It is also the kick-off to National Recovery Month, which takes place every year in September.  There were nearly 92,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in …

School and mental health are closely intertwined, yet back-to-school tips for parents and teachers often fail to address the ways that you should monitor and manage mental health conditions that develop in children and teens. Acknowledging these in students is instrumental in providing youth with the support they need to have a healthy and productive …

World Hepatitis Day, also World Hepatitis C Day, is a global event celebrated on July 28th. And while the event’s primary goal is to spread awareness about the various forms of the hepatitis virus—including the hepatitis C virus (HCV)—it also marks an occasion to honor the achievements made in hepatitis research and treatment. Nearly 58 …

When it comes to mental health care for veterans, getting help is not always as simple as it should be. Society has gotten much better at recognizing the need for improved access to mental health treatment. However, several barriers exist in the veteran community that may prevent a veteran in need from accessing appropriate mental …

You don’t need to be a victim of gun violence to experience the deep connection between mass shootings and mental health. Just seeing stories about shootings on the news is enough to cause fear and anxiety, and that might be especially true if you are a person of color or a parent—both of which are …

Achieving financial stability impacts more than just someone’s ability to pay their bills every month. For many Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic kickstarted a financial downturn that has been difficult to recover from—and that only seems to be getting worse in the face of rising prices on consumer goods, housing, and other necessities. And while much …

Law enforcement can be a tough—and oftentimes distressing—career, which makes it important to acknowledge police officer mental health and its unique stigma in the police community. Though police officers have never had it easy, public unrest especially in 2020 and beyond has added new stressors to the job and taken a toll on officer morale. …

There’s a thin line between drinking for fun and developing a dependency, which is why everyone should be aware of the signs of alcohol dependence and the various indications that it’s time to take a step back—or get professional help. Social drinking is common, especially in younger populations. With April being Alcohol Awareness Month though, …