The Importance of Food in Mental Health Treatment with Chef Peter

Chef Peter has been with Sanford Behavioral Health through a couple of kitchen moves. He has worked in the confined kitchens of historic homes and the vast, shining kitchen at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus. He says over the years of growth at Sanford, he has also gotten “street-smart” when it comes to feeding those […]

Wintertime Mental Health Bonus – Best of Excursions

At Sanford Behavioral Health, we embrace winter with robust excursions in nature. In fact, it is a part of our evidence-based practices to get outside and experience a Michigan winter in all its splendor. Yes, it can be gloomy and cold. And we are well aware of seasonal affective disorder and the depression that can […]

Sanford Behavioral Health Admissions – An Inside Look

At Sanford Behavioral Health, our goal is to make the administrative aspects of going to treatment as seamless as possible. We work with everyone who contacts us to determine their best options. Today, we sat down with Kelly Stone, who spearheads the admissions process, to get an update. Whether you are privately paying or utilizing […]

Holiday Anxiety – Women Feel It More Than Men

It’s almost the Thanksgiving holiday, a time for gratitude and reminiscence about holidays past, but my memories of Thanksgiving mostly involve my angst-ridden mother bustling about while the rest of the family watched the Macy’s parade and played cards. She used to do this predictable “thing” whenever I would indicate frailty, especially during the holidays. […]

The Healing Power of Laughter in Mental Health Treatment

I once heard a comedian say the least funny thing one can do is explain a joke or analyze why something is funny. That is probably because laughter signals a deep connection that is hard to explain. If you find yourself describing a joke, you are bombing as a comedian or missing the shared experience […]

Sleep-Friendly Environments & Mental Health

One of the hallmarks of active addiction and other mental health conditions is insomnia. When you wake at 3 a.m. (blood sugar dropping) and rise like a vampire for a glass of cold water, it might be the worst time of day to be wide-eyed. Every problem seems insurmountable, rehashing regrettable behavior on an endless […]

Suicide Prevention – Resources for Loved Ones & Professionals

  September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we sat down with Sanford Clinical Liaison Lisa (Murphy) Rector, MA-LPC, NCC, for the Limelight Interview. Lisa has worked in the mental health field since 1997. She is the Co-chair of the Macomb County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Lisa’s career began on the Wayne County Crisis Line, answering crisis/suicide […]

5 Questions to Support Veterans’ Mental Health

September is suicide awareness month, and I sat down with my colleagues at Detroit VA to ask five questions about Veterans’ mental health resources, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and the prevention of Veteran suicides and other accidental deaths. Thanks to Katrina BeShears, LMSW, CAADC, and Christina Mariani, LMSW, CAADC Detroit VA Community Engagement […]

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Eating Disorders?

The long-term effects of eating disorders can significantly impact your health and mental well-being, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is important. These conditions can negatively alter a person’s life, increasing their risk of serious medical complications and long-term mental health issues. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, consider contacting Sanford Behavioral […]

5 Recovery Ideas for the Sunday Scaries

The Sunday Scaries are the feelings of dread that occur before heading back to responsibilities like work, childcare, or school. Studies show that 80% of Americans experience anxiety on Sunday afternoons when looming duties remind us that Monday is just a sleep away. Speaking of sleep, 79% of Americans say they have more difficulty falling […]