Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

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 honor the strength, sacrifice, and ongoing mental health challenges that service members face after leaving active duty. Drawing on my doctoral research on veterans’ mental health and personal experience knowing many veterans, I’ve seen how invisible wounds often follow them home, shaping their recovery and daily lives. 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. So when I ...

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...

Breaking Free: How Hidden Toxic Relationships Undermine Your Mental Health Recovery Realizing a Friend Was Hindering Healing When I first focused on  mental health recovery , I believed I had a strong support system. Longtime friends seemed trustworthy, and I assumed they would cheer me on. But over time, subtle behaviors slowly chipped away at my progress. One friend would  dismiss my feelings , making me feel guilty for expressing struggles or needing space. Another made “jokes” that left me feeling belittled or misunderstood. At first, I brushed it off; it wasn’t overtly cruel, but gradually, I realized these interactions were emotionally draining. What I thought was support was, in reality, slowing my healing. “Not all toxic friends yell; some subtly drain your energy and derail your recovery.” Toxic relationships aren’t always obvious. They can be quiet, insidious, and emotionally confusing, especially when you’re vulnerable during recovery. Recognizing Subtle Toxicity in...

Adoption and Emotional Well-Being: How Support Can Boost Mental Health for Adopted Individuals “Early support, open communication, and a stable environment can make all the difference in an adoptee’s mental health.” Adopted individuals often navigate unique challenges that can affect their mental health, including questions about identity, attachment, and belonging. Studies show that adoptees may be more prone to anxiety, depression, and identity-related stress compared to non-adopted peers.  However, early interventions, such as open conversations about adoption, consistent emotional support, and nurturing family environments, can significantly improve long-term well-being. Even small steps like validating feelings about adoption or providing safe spaces to explore identity can have lasting benefits. Why It Matters Adoption is often celebrated as a positive life event, but the emotional complexities involved are real and sometimes overlooked. Supporting mental health in adopt...

Refresh Your Mind in Minutes: How Small Bursts of Novelty Can Protect Your Mental Health “Even small changes in your daily routine can stimulate your brain, improve focus, and reduce stress.” Our brains thrive on novelty. Experiencing something new, whether it’s a different walking route, a fresh song, or a small skill challenge, activates neural pathways linked to curiosity, reward, and learning. Introducing small, intentional changes into your daily routine supports neuroplasticity, the brain’s natural ability to adapt and reorganize. Over time, these habits can reduce mental fatigue, strengthen resilience, and enhance your capacity to manage stress and emotional challenges. Why It Matters When we rely only on traditional rest, our brains can stay stuck in patterns that increase stress and fatigue. Micro-resting with novel experiences strengthens neural pathways, boosts dopamine, and enhances cognitive flexibility , helping you recover faster from daily stress and build long-ter...