As school ends and summer begins, many children and young adults are starting a new season of sports. Though some may play sports year-round, for many, summer is a time of exposure to different sports. This is a time for them to determine what works for them, related to both teamwork and athleticism. If you …
Mental Health Warrior: Jane Harris
Jane Harris always has a smile on her face, I swear. But, that makes a lot of sense considering she’s a case manager in our Guardianship Program. As a case manager, Jane primarily works with adults who have intellectual disabilities and have been declared incapacitated by the court system. She makes sure that each person’s health …
What you need to know: Teens and substance use
Rae Barker, who shared her personal story of substance use and addiction at this week’s Shared Space (pictured above), said she started drinking at 12 years old to ease her anxiety. The 23-year-old, who has been in recovery for two years, eloquently spoke to the audience of 70 gathered for the community conversation. She talked about her early …
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Guardianship brings dignity and respect to life decisions
Maintaining self-control and making personal decisions are important to all persons. Being able to decide where to live, who to live with, daily activities, choosing a doctor, money management, religious preferences, and whether to be buried or cremated are basic human desires and rights. Everyone wants to be able to make their own life choices. …
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Learning life skills empowers teens to address mental health
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, one in five of adolescents (20 percent) have a diagnosable mental health disorder with problems starting as early as 14 years old. If left untreated, teens can face isolation and discrimination. Undiagnosed and untreated trauma and mental health issues may lead to increased emotional and behavioral …
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Stories of Barriers, Resiliency and Hope
Sharing stories brings all of us together. Shows the commonality among the human experience. Guides us to see past exterior presentations and preconceptions and relate on a more meaningful level. Four local refugee and immigrant persons shared their stories at the Third Annual Roanoke Language Access Conference today. The panel and a series of presentations and …
Local Celebs Champion Mental Health
On Wednesday night, our community stood up for mental health, raising $59,400 to support our neighbors in their journey to #RestoringHope. Thanks to you and our celebrity waiters, the success of Celebrity Tip Off allows people in our community to receive the help they need, when and where they need it. With #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth starting in just a few weeks, I just knew …
Our Strong and Caring Community
Let’s pause a moment and appreciate the incredible strength of our community. You may be attending Celebrity Tip Off next week, or plan on supporting one of the celebrity waiters raising tips for mental health. You may know a teen in our program learning peer leadership and the value of giving back. No matter your connection, you are …
Dealing with an Anxiety Hangover
It’s 9:00 am on a Monday morning and I already know I’m not going to get much done today. I’m mentally paralyzed by a headache, foggy-ness in my brain, and feelings of shame. Yesterday afternoon had been swallowed up by an episode of anxiety, and this morning I am living with regrets. Forget responding …
Shout Out to Social Workers
For National Professional Social Workers Month, I chatted with the fine folks I get the opportunity to work with–many who are social workers, social workers in training and social workers at heart. Not everyone at Family Service is a social worker (ahem… me for example). But everyone here works hard for our community, helping others find the tools …