Who Says Mental Health Treatment Has to Feel Like a Hospital?
We are proud of the work we’ve done to prepare JOHN (Just One Hero Needed) for its opening this week. While staff members put the final touches on preparing guest spaces, we realized once again that JOHN is a beautiful place to be. From the stained glass windows in the dining room to the leather […]
Changing the Mental Health Admissions Process: Meet Rebecca Wolfslau, LPC
When Rebecca Wolfslau (Wolfi), LPC, came to Sanford Behavioral Health a year ago, she brought the concept of “EZ Admissions” with her. Her idea (and catchy title) was designed to simplify and speed up the admissions process for mental health treatment. She also wanted the Sanford admissions team to serve as a sympathetic ear, helping […]
Breaking the Cycle of Self-Medication with Mental Health Treatment
I have a friend who quit drinking because they realized a cocktail had become a panacea for everything. They said, “When I was excited, I had a drink. Sad? I had a drink. When I was anxious, I poured a cocktail, and when I was mad, I pounded a few beers.” This friend intuitively knew […]
5 Ways to Keep the Sunday Scaries from Ruining Your Monday
What is the difference between the cheerful greeting “Happy Friday” and “Happy Monday?” Happy Friday is genuinely celebratory and widely shared; it brings people joy and relief as the weekend approaches. On the other hand, “Happy Monday” is ironic and meant to counteract negativity. We have a whole week ahead of us; let’s make the […]
Veterans and First Responders Exclusive Programming – JOHN Opening October 27, 2025
JOHN Executive Director Matt VanLiere has waited patiently for an exclusive first responders and Veterans program at Sanford Behavioral Health. He first raised the idea nearly four years ago, after joining Sanford to build its safety team. Matt has a BA in Criminal Justice and 29 years of experience in law enforcement. He also has […]
Suicide Prevention Resources All Year Long
At Sanford Behavioral Health, we practice suicide prevention every day, and we joined the community during Suicide Prevention Month to come together to save lives. It means sharing awareness campaigns, offering training, and spreading education about the risks, warning signs, and protective factors that help keep people safe. We asked a few key staff […]
Whack-a-Mole-Recovery and the Behavioral Health Campus
I’ve never liked the carnival game Whack-a-Mole. Bashing heads with a cartoon hammer while an endless succession of new rodents appear. It is too stressful and unpredictable. However, I can relate to the use of the term whack-a-mole recovery. Years ago, I pounded down a substance use disorder (SUD) that had taken over my life, […]
8 Ways Fall in Michigan Boosts Mental Health (plus 27 fun things to do)
I am planning a business trip to Grand Rapids in October, and to be honest, I am looking forward to fall in Michigan even more than the camaraderie. When dappled sun shines through a tunnel of yellow oaks, it inspires wonder. And wonder, awe, and gobsmackedness are good for mental health. Studies show that the […]
Suicide Prevention – What It Means to Us
Suicide prevention and Suicide Prevention Month are public health responses to death by suicide. For the public, it involves awareness campaigns, training, and education about the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors that help keep people safe. For anyone in the public who is interested in learning more about suicide prevention, we offer a […]
Is Laughter the Best Medicine for Mental Health?
The first time I went to an AA meeting, I was surprised by the laughter. I expected the stories of loss, even tears, but the laughter seemed to wash over the room and clean the air. Similarly, at Sanford Behavioral Health, you often hear the sound of laughter as Sanford clients begin to feel better […]
