The Double Barrier to Mental Health Care: Public and Internalized Stigma
Individuals who seek out mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) care have often crossed hundreds of invisible mental barriers long before they make the first call. Research shows that stigma operates repeatedly in this process. Public stigma is the widespread belief that mental health and SUD conditions reflect weakness, poor choices, or lack of willpower. […]
Eating Disorders and the New Year: 8 Ways to Stay Supported in 2026
The New Year brings a return to routine, reflection, and renewed time with family. While these transitions can offer moments of connection and hope, they can also resurface long-standing patterns and sensitivities. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we recognize that healing from an eating disorder does not happen in isolation. That’s why our Family Program is […]
Looking for a Dopamine Boost? 19 New Things to Try Instead of Scrolling (New Year’s Edition)
The tail end of the holidays is not the time to get preachy about excessive phone use. However, by now you have probably witnessed (on dining table laps and among scattered wrappings) the omnipresence of loved ones’ smartphones. Suffice it to say, at Sanford Behavioral Health, we’d like you to consider tucking your phones in […]
Welcome Sanford’s New Chief Medical Officer, Bibhas Singla, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FAPA
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Bibhas Singla, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FAPA, has joined Sanford Behavioral Health as Chief Medical Officer. We sat down with Sanford’s new CMO to discuss how he will approach the role, why he chose Sanford, and how he intends to bridge critical gaps in access to high-quality mental […]
Sober Fun (Holiday Edition)
One of the biggest lies people with an addiction believe is “If I don’t drink/smoke/use, I can’t have fun.” Unfortunately, the lies we tell ourselves are often the hardest to overcome—especially during the holidays. So, what does sober fun look like between November and January? You might be surprised to know it can look both very […]
Home for the Holidays? Go to Detox Now.
The holidays often come with the unrevealed thought: I’ll just get through it. Get through the parties. The stress. The expectations. The drinking that feels unavoidable. But for some, “getting through it” has become more difficult than it should. Perhaps drinking has gotten out of hand, and the thought of getting through the spirited season without […]
New Podcast Launch: Mental Health Working Mom’s Gripe Session
We are excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, Mental Health Working Moms’ Gripe Session. Gripe Session is a candid, funny, and compassionate space created by moms for moms. Our host is Sanford Behavioral Health CEO Tracy Rogers, LPC, LMHC, NCC. Significant, because Tracy is the mother of an 11-year-old boy who spent […]
Holiday Drinking and Panic Attacks: What You Need to Know with Clinical Director Tessa Sterling
If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you will probably agree that it feels like you are having a heart attack. My only panic attack occurred many years ago, when I was in active addiction. I remember it vividly: chest pains, difficulty breathing, numbness in my arms and hands, sweating, palpitations, and tightness over […]
New Traditions: Holidays in Treatment
I spoke with my colleague, Matt VanLiere, in preparation for this article. I wanted his take on the positives of being in treatment during the holiday season. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we have heard all the excuses for putting off treatment till the new year, from “I can’t miss the kids’ pageant” to “Who will […]
Breaking Stigma, Opening Doors: Mental Health Residential Open House!
More than one in five American adults lives with a mental illness. Only about half of those with a mental illness receive treatment. At Sanford Behavioral Health, our mission includes breaking stigma and providing access to care. A significant benefit of becoming a Sanford client is that we can assess and transition an individual through […]
