Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

Weekly Mental Health Tip: Name Your Emotional Weather Emotions can feel like storms, sometimes intense, sometimes subtle, but naming them gives you power over them. Instead of judging yourself for feeling anxious, sad, or restless, try labeling the emotion: “I feel anxious,” “I feel frustrated,” or even “I feel exhausted.” 💡  Try this today:  Spend 30 seconds checking in with yourself.  Name the dominant emotion you’re feeling  and notice where it shows up in your body. Simply acknowledging it can reduce its intensity and help you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. (I have done this several times, and it was so helpful. Why it matters:  For those living with mental illness, emotional labeling strengthens self-awareness and improves emotional regulation, a critical skill in mental health recovery. Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates: Ins...

​ When Your Brain Won’t Stop: Understanding Intrusive Thoughts in Recovery Article Summary: Intrusive thoughts can be distressing and disorienting, but they’re not a sign of weakness or danger; they’re part of how a sensitized brain tries to protect you. For those in recovery, learning to observe these thoughts without attaching meaning can transform fear into understanding.  “Intrusive thoughts don’t define you, they reveal how hard your brain is trying to keep you safe.” Rising Above the Noise: My Experience with Intrusive Thoughts I first noticed intrusive thoughts around middle school. They were sudden, random flashes of fear, violent images, worst-case scenarios, or strange “what if” moments that came out of nowhere. At that age, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed everyone’s brain worked that way. By the time I reached college, those thoughts became harder to ignore. I’d imagine something bad happening to people I loved, or worry that even having those thoughts meant some...

Intellectualizing in Mental Health Recovery Article Summary Intellectualizing is a defense mechanism often used in mental health recovery. While it can help us make sense of trauma, it can also delay emotional processing. This post explores how to recognize and balance intellectualization with emotional engagement in recovery. Have You Ever Found Yourself Analyzing Your Feelings Instead of Actually Feeling Them? Sometimes, in the middle of intense emotions, it feels safer to step back, break everything down, and make sense of it all. This tendency, called intellectualizing , is a psychological coping mechanism where the mind leans heavily on logic, analysis, or abstract reasoning to avoid uncomfortable feelings. While it can provide clarity and temporary relief, relying too much on intellectualization can quietly distance us from the very emotions we need to process in recovery. I want to explore how intellectualization shows up in mental health recovery, especially for those of us n...

Honoring Veterans This Month: A Veterans Day Feature November is Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to recognize the strength, sacrifice, and ongoing battles our servicemembers face long after the uniform comes off. My academic background includes research on veterans’ mental health from my doctoral program days, and I’ve also known many veterans personally. I’ve seen firsthand how the weight of invisible wounds follows them home. This month, I’m honored to feature their voices on my blog. Today’s story comes from  Damien Celaya , an Army veteran whose honesty about survival, numbness, and recovery cuts through the stereotypes and speaks directly to the heart of what healing really means. Interview with Damien Celaya Q: Can you share how your military experience shaped your understanding of mental health? "I was already familiar with mental health before I ever wore a uniform. Growing up with a mom who fought her own demons taught me early how deep those battles can go. ...

November 2025 “Monthly Mental Health in the News: On World Mental Health Day, October 2025, we were reminded that everyone's mental health matters, and you are not alone.” Article Summary This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies,” brought attention to one of the most urgent global mental health challenges. On October 10, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminded the world that mental health care must be included in every emergency response. Access to care was not a luxury; it was a lifeline. Without it, recovery became harder, trauma went unresolved, and suffering deepened. Understanding the Global Context Crisis situations, whether war, displacement, natural disasters, or pandemics, profoundly affect mental health. According to the WHO, one in five people affected by humanitarian emergencies will experience a mental health condition . Yet mental health and psychosocial support often remain absent or...

When Belonging Hurts: The Hidden  Mental‑Health Challenges of Adoption Article Summary November is National Adoption Awareness Month , a time to celebrate adoption while acknowledging the complex emotional experiences adoptees often face. Many experience identity struggles, grief, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, even in loving homes. Recognizing these challenges and learning strategies to navigate them supports mental health recovery and resilience. This post explores the hidden mental health challenges of adoption, shares research-backed insights, and provides practical coping strategies for adoptees, families, and allies seeking understanding. Living Between Two Worlds I grew up knowing I was adopted, but I rarely voiced my feelings. I didn’t want to hurt my adoptive parents or seem ungrateful. On the outside, everything looked happy and “normal,” but inside, I carried a mix of confusion, longing, and questions about my identity. During my teenage years, I remember si...