8 Ways Autumn in Michigan Boosts Mental Health (plus 27 fun things to do)
I missed my annual trip to Grand Rapids this October. But I can’t forget the dappled sun shining through a tunnel of yellow oaks; it inspires wonder. And wonder, awe, and gobsmackedness are good for mental health. Studies show that the awe we feel in nature benefits the body’s defense system. A walk in nature, […]
Could GLP-1 Medications Help Treat Alcohol Addiction?
We are hearing a lot about the benefits of GLP-1 medications for treating diabetes and supporting weight loss. But could GLP-1 medications eventually help treat alcohol use disorder? We are still early in the research, but the signal is getting interesting. A 2025 randomized trial found that low-dose semaglutide reduced alcohol craving and some measures […]
PTSD and Anger: Why It Happens and How to Manage It
Anger is a common PTSD symptom. It’s also one of the least talked about. Whether it’s internal or external, it can hurt a person and their quality of life. PTSD often comes with negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world. It comes with hypervigilance (feeling keyed up, on edge, or overly aware and alert, […]
Is PTSD Ruining the Marriage? When the Stress of the Job Comes Home
My colleague, Matt VanLiere, is a good person to talk to about the subject of PTSD ruining the marriage and other significant relationships. Matt has 29 years of law enforcement experience, and he’s in active recovery from a substance use disorder. Matt is open about the toll PTSD took on his marriage. Over time, his […]
What I Wish More People Understood About Suicidal Thoughts: The Power of Connection
When people are feeling pain and suffering, the thought of suicide makes complete sense. When someone feels hopeless, like there’s nowhere else to go and no end in sight, suicidal thoughts can create a sense of comfort and a way out. Often, the conversation that I have with suicidal clients is about hope and a […]
A 30-Year Law Enforcement Veteran on Suicide, Survival, and Speaking Up
September is Suicide Prevention Month. We have lost members of the law enforcement community in Michigan recently, and across the country, first responders continue to die by suicide. We need to talk about it. Not as administrators or statisticians. Not with another training slide or poster on the wall. We need to talk about it […]
It’s Bigger Than Baseball: The Mental Health of the Young Athletes We Love
Being the mom of a competitive baseball player has taught me something I never expected. I spend my professional life as the CEO of a behavioral health company talking about mental health, trauma, anxiety, resilience, emotional regulation, identity, and the importance of creating environments where people feel safe enough to be human. I spend my […]
Admissions Without Barriers: A Client-First Approach to Behavioral Health Treatment
In behavioral health, we talk a lot about being client-centered, but that commitment must start at the very first touchpoint: admissions. Too often, admissions departments look for the “ideal” client. The right diagnosis, acuity, or insurance. A perfect fit on paper for the treatment center. But people don’t come to us because they are ideal. […]
Excuses Veterans and First Responders Use to Avoid Treatment, Debunked
At JOHN (Just One Hero Needed), we are used to getting the excuses Veterans and first responders give to avoid treatment. As an exclusive treatment center for Veterans and first responders, we receive calls after incidents occur and when individuals feel suicidal or fear the loss of their careers or relationships. Interestingly, we may talk […]
The Gripe Session Continues: Mental Health Working Moms, Episode 2
The gripe gals are back in Episode 2 of the Mental Health Working Moms’ Gripe Session Podcast. The podcast is a candid, funny, and compassionate space created by moms for moms. Our host is Sanford Behavioral Health CEO Tracy Rogers, LPC, LMHC, NCC. Significantly, Tracy is the mother of an 11-year-old boy who spent much of […]
