One of the biggest misconceptions about suicide is that every person who is struggling wants to die. Many don’t. Instead, they want the pain to stop. As a therapist, I’ve sat with women who have whispered words they’ve never said aloud: “I’m just so tired.” “Everyone would be better off without me.” “I wish I […]
Almost every woman I know can name that moment — the one where she’s smiling in the carpool line, answering emails at a stoplight and quietly falling apart on the inside. We’ve gotten so good at holding it together that we’ve forgotten to ask ourselves a simple question: How am I actually doing? As a […]
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but the truth is that mental health affects every community, family and generation. Despite growing awareness, many people still struggle in silence because they fear being judged, misunderstood or viewed as weak. For women especially, there often is an unspoken expectation to keep everything together, care for everyone […]
Beauty has long been tied to appearance. The right hair. Clear skin. A certain body type. The perfect outfit. A polished image that tells the world, “I have it all together.” But as a therapist, I have learned that beauty runs far deeper than a person’s exterior. Some of the most outwardly beautiful people quietly […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while the conversations around mental health have grown louder over the years, the need for intentional care has not changed. Mental health is not just something we address in moments of crisis. It is something we should nurture daily, just like our physical health. As a therapist, I […]
When we discuss women’s mental health, the conversation often centers on stress, work-life balance or self-care. While these things matter, one of the most powerful supports for women’s emotional wellbeing is something much simpler: friendship. Healthy friendships provide a space where women can exhale. In many areas of life, women are caregivers, problem solvers and […]
By Dr. Tessa Helsel As a family physician, I see firsthand how closely physical and mental health are connected. Many patients come to my office struggling with symptoms of depression, which usually include low energy, poor sleep, lack of motivation and a general sense of feeling “stuck.” While medication and therapy are important tools, one […]
