Light of the World: Bringing Mental Health to Life, LLC

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By Jessica Feagin | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Chief executive officer and mental health professional, Xavian Tate. Mr. Tate founded Light of the World LLC. He is driven to make a difference in people’s lives with the ultimate goal of empowering people and impacting mental well-being. The scripture inspired the name of his organization and firm, Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Light of the World: Bringing Mental Health to Life is a mental health consulting firm that offers many services, such as:

  • Life and peer coaching- Individual coaching (life coaching) is a collaborative process through which clients work one-on-one with a trained mental health coach in a safe environment to achieve professional and personal goals.
  • Cleaning therapy-Say goodbye to clutter and stress as their cleaning therapists create an organized and clean space to promote mental clarity and emotional well-being.
  • Financial therapy-A team is provided to work with people to assist with securing a healthy and proper financial future.
  • Travel therapy-Professionals work with individuals who need a mental health break.

To book these services and learn more about this firm, visit their website at lwicorp.org

Depression and Relationships

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Mental health illnesses affect how a person relates to other people. Depression causes a person to have sudden mood changes that are barriers to nourishing long-term relationships. For instance, extreme anger or anxiety can scare away a potential partner. Also, family members may fail to understand that a person is battling depression and distance themselves. Ultimately, a person experiences feelings of loneliness and detachment from loved ones. Nevertheless, people can seek professional interventions like counseling to prevent depression from affecting their relationships.

Many people dealing with mental health issues are unaware of their conditions. Hence, they engage in actions whose consequences are dire but cannot explain why they do so. A person suffering from depression is likely to experience detachment. This feeling is present in how they respond to attempts by their partner to show love. For instance, one may ignore their spouse’s calls because they feel detached. Eventually, this act becomes a habit that could be a deal breaker for the other partner. Also, a depressed person may feel unwanted and unappreciated. Subsequently, they may decide to stay away from loved ones and cut communication. Over time, one experiences extreme loneliness that affects the progression of a relationship (Zhang et al., 2021). Thus, it is critical to seek professional advice if one suspects they are experiencing depression.

Ignoring mental health disorders results in severe consequences. A person suffering from depression can take several actions to prevent the issue from interfering with their relationship. First, one can inform their loved one of their current emotional state. By doing so, the partner understands the situation and supports the person. Secondly, an individual should consult a professional and embrace a treatment plan. Thus, the causes of depression are determined, and its effects are lessened. Consequently, one heals from the condition, leads a fruitful life, and forms healthy relationships.

References

Zhang, Y., Huang, L., Luo, Y., & Ai, H. (2021). The relationship between state loneliness and depression among youths during COVID-19 lockdown: Coping style as mediator. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.701514

The Link Between Weight Gain and Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Andres Ayrton on Pexels.com

Mental health disorders such as depression can result from body image issues. Societal expectations about beauty influence how some people think or view their physical appearance. For instance, an individual may feel less attractive due to their complexion or body size. However, societal beauty standards are not always accurate. People struggling with negative body image issues need assurance that size, skin color, or shape do not dictate attractiveness. If one has negative feelings and thoughts about their physique, they may stop caring for themselves. For example, neglecting skincare routines or overindulging in fast food may become the norm. In the long run, individuals become depressed because their appearance worsens, and salvaging the situation is challenging.

The standards of beauty set by society affect people’s self-esteem. Most media platforms use slender models in advertisements. This move makes plump individuals feel unseen and left out. Further, many enterprises stock small, medium, and large-sized clothing. Thus, plus-size persons encounter difficulties when shopping as they cannot find fitting apparel. Also, some people make snide comments about those with weight issues. Labeling individuals as obese or greedy affect their feelings concerning their appearance (Blasco, 2020). Thus, if one tries to lose weight in an unfavorable environment but it proves challenging, they may become depressed.

There are numerous ways that persons battling mental health issues can find healing. Due to mood fluctuations, some people lack appetite and lose excess weight. However, others overindulge in comfort food. To avoid this, patients battling depression can engage in affirmation activities where they complement themselves. By so doing, an individual assures themselves that despite weighing more, they are still beautiful. Essentially, self-affirmations help in raising esteem. Patients can also attend therapy or counseling sessions to identify the root cause of the problem. Lastly, consulting the doctor enables patients to receive proper diagnoses and prescriptions.

References

Blasco, B. V., García-Jiménez, J., Bodoano, I., & Gutiérrez-Rojas, L. (2020). Obesity and depression: Its prevalence and influence as a prognostic factor: A systematic review. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(8), 715–724. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0099

What Every Parent Should Know About Rotavirus

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Many children under five experience diarrheal disease, which comes from different conditions. Rotavirus can be transmitted to infants and children by not washing their hands when they have a bowel movement or putting fingers in their mouth after touching objects that are not clean. Rotavirus is released through bowel movements. According to the CDC (2021), rotavirus is spread without complications among infants and children. The CDC states, “They can spread rotavirus to family members and other people with whom they have close contact.”

There are symptoms to look out for if you think your child may have rotavirus: diarrheal and vomiting. This can cause dehydration due to the loss of body fluids. The CDC mentions, “Since rotavirus disease can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, it can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids).” Symptoms of dehydration caused by rotavirus include:

  • decreased urination.
  • dry mouth and throat
  • feeling dizzy when standing up
  • crying with few or no tears and
  • unusual sleepiness or fussiness.

It is essential to know the symptoms of dehydration if your child has rotavirus. Treatment for dehydration may consist of IV fluids. The CDC suggests, “Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids that patients receive directly through their veins.” Hand hygiene is essential to help stop the spread of rotavirus. Washing your hands can also prevent your child from developing rotavirus.

According to the CDC, “Good hygiene like handwashing and cleanliness are important but are not enough to control the spread of the disease.” The best way to stop rotavirus is with the vaccination. Two vaccinations that can prevent rotavirus are the RotaTeq and Rotarix. RotaTeq is given in three doses at ages two months, four months, and six months. Rotarix is given in two doses at ages two months and four months. Most children (about 9 out of 10) who get the vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus disease. About 7 out of 10 children will be protected from rotavirus disease of any severity (CDC, 2021). The first dose of either vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age and they should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn eight months old. Both vaccines are given by putting drops in the child’s mouth.

The rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your child against rotavirus infections, which are the leading cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting among young children. Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you notice rotavirus symptoms.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, March 26). Rotavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/index.html

Mental Health Stigma

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Social and cultural constructions inform people’s perceptions, attitudes, and viewpoints about mental health. Such perceptions gain expression in social norms and can escalate and spiral into beliefs, which societies relay through myths and labels. Over time, these negative and incorrect beliefs about psychopathology attain widespread acceptance as the truth and engender stigma against mentally ill patients. Wogen & Restrepo (2020) assert that many societies have entrenched biases and stereotypes concerning mental health because of ignorance and the dearth of professional knowledge. They have created erroneous labels and viewpoints, which act as barriers to mental health treatment and hinder mentally ill patients from attaining their full potential. These beliefs also instigate bigoted or negative attitudes towards mentally ill patients, spawn negative prejudices, and weaken familial, social, and institutional responses to mental health issues. For example, people ascribe negative tags towards mentally healthy patients, such as violent, irrational, burdensome, and inadequate.

They tend to avoid, isolate, and segregate them based on these rigid and unfounded fears and perceptions (Pescosolido et al., 2019). This perpetuates inequality and maltreatment of patients who also have to contend with the challenges of their mental health problems at the institutional level. According to Sickel et al. (2019), stigmatizing people with mental health promotes self-doubt and hinders them from seeking treatment and striving to attain their full potential. They conceal their symptoms, adopt antisocial tendencies, and ultimately seek solace in narcotic drugs and substances, among other maladaptive behaviors. Thornicroft et al. (2019) suggest strategies through which societies can counter and overturn these negative beliefs and perspectives while concurrently preventing inculcation and installation of new ones. For example, social workers can rehabilitate and avert the internalization of self-doubt among mental health patients and encourage them to seek therapy.

They can also conduct public awareness and education campaigns to counter false beliefs concerning mental health at the societal level. In addition, they can employ advocacy and lobby for implementing policies that protect and advance the welfare of mental health patients. In summary, many societies stigmatize mental health patients based on false assumptions and perceptions. This results in social stigma, discrimination, deprivation, and maltreatment. Social workers can employ diverse personal, societal, and institutional strategies to correct this situation. These countermeasures include rehabilitation and eliminating obstacles to treatment, among other efforts to help them lead fulfilling and productive lives.

References

Clay, J., Eaton, J., Gronholm, P. C., Semrau, M., & Votruba, N. (2020). A systematic review of core components of mental health stigma reduction interventions in low-and middle-income countries. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29, e164-e170.

Pescosolido, B. A., Manago, B., & Monahan, J. (2019). Evolving public views on the likelihood of violence from people with mental illness: Stigma and its consequences. Health Affairs, 38(10), 1735-1743.

Sickel, A. E., Seacat, J. D., & Nabors, N. A. (2019). Mental health stigma: Impact on mental health treatment attitudes and physical health. Journal of Health Psychology, 24(5), 586-    599.

Thornicroft, G., Bakolis, I., Evans‐Lacko, S., Gronholm, P. C., Henderson, C., Kohrt, B. A., &    Sartorius, N. (2019). Key lessons learned from the INDIGO global network on mental health-related stigma and discrimination. World Psychiatry, 18(2), 229-230.

Wogen, J., & Restrepo, M. T. (2020). Human rights, stigma, and substance use. Health and Human Rights, 22(1), 51-60.

Caregiving For the Elderly and Managing Caregiver Fatigue

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Angela Wilson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Andrea

Seniors are living longer these days, and more people live to be 100 years old. That is excellent news regarding longevity, reducing loneliness, and having a sense of purpose. Many of our elderly are cared for in the comfort of their homes by their children, grandchildren, or other family members or friends.  They are often loved, admired, and even cherished by their caregivers, but caring for them sometimes can become exhausting.

As more adult children choose to take care of their aging parents and opt out of nursing homes, the stress, fatigue, and physical demands put upon them can be wearing. Caregivers have many responsibilities when providing for the elderly. They must ensure they take their medications, prepare food, clean, and maintain their rooms, ensure they are bathed, and perform a plethora of other tasks daily.  With all these obligations, it can be easy for caregivers to neglect their own needs.   Caregivers are often sleep-deprived and tired; some even forget to eat. They can experience anger, sadness, frustration, isolation, depression, and resentment toward their loved ones. When this happens, it is usually time for the caregiver to take a break and care for themselves.  After all, if the caregiver is not taking care of themselves, they will be unable to provide adequate care for their loved one.

Caregivers should ask for help.  There are usually siblings or other family members or friends who can watch their loved one so they can walk outside, have dinner with friends, or see a movie. There are also local support groups that can provide encouragement, validation, and other viable resources.  Most communities offer respite care, including in-home help from health care aides, adult centers, and even short-term nursing homes so the caregiver can get away. Getting help and addressing your needs as a caregiver may make you feel recharged and give you a much-needed energy boost to manage your caregiver duties better. So, not only does taking care of yourself benefit the caregiver, but your loved one will also benefit from it!

References

Robinson, L. et al. (2023). Family Caregiving. Helpguide.org. https://www.helpguide.org.

American Psychological Association. (2014). Positive Aspects of Caregiving. https://www.apa.org

The Benefits of Honey

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Angela R. Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com

Honey is sweet and pleasing to the pallet, but taste is not the only good thing about this viscous substance. Although honey has more calories than typical white sugar, it offers more flavor and usually requires a smaller amount when cooking and baking.  Raw honey is an unprocessed food that comes straight from a beehive.  The honey sold in stores is less sticky and easier to serve after increased heat temperatures. 

Honey has antioxidants known as phenolic and flavonoid acids that help the body keep various health issues at bay, like heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. There are many types of honey.  Clover Honey, Wildflower Honey, Acacia Honey, Alfalfa Honey, and Manuka Honey are a few of the more popular sorts. The darker the honey, the greater the antioxidant. The antioxidants and nutrients in honey can also help facilitate a healthy diet and help manage diabetes.

Honey is also medicinal and has long been used to treat wounds and burns. When applied to wounds, the micronutrients nourish the unhealthy tissue and stimulate tissue growth while promoting healing. Honey also moisturizes the skin while giving it a protective barrier.  A medical grade of honey can be used to treat first and second-degree burns, pressure ulcers, and leg and foot ulcers.  This sterilized form of honey comes from bees that gather honey from trees in New Zealand and Australia.  Medical grade honey can be in the form of gels, dressings, and pastes and added into adhesives.  Make sure you consult your physician before using medical grades of honey on any cuts, wounds, or burns. 

Honey is also known to soothe a sore throat when added to warm lemon water or hot tea. It may also be used as a cough suppressant for children between 1-5 years old. Although studies have shown that honey can be just as effective as cough medicine for children, giving honey to infants under one is not wise due to the risk of infant botulism.

If you have honey at home and are considering using it for healing purposes, do your research and consult your doctor or physician to increase your knowledge and maximize honey’s benefits.

References

WebMD. (2022). Honey: Are There Health Benefits? https://www.webmd.com.

Sass, C. (2023). What Are the Health Benefits of Honey? https.//www.health.com

Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. (2023). The Benefits of Honey. How to Incorporate It You’re your Diet. https://health.clevelandclinic.org.

Food Poisoning During the Summer

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By Ashley Peoples| UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

It is summertime, and we will attend cookouts at our family’s homes. Food will be served while we are there, and many of us will be excited to participate in the prepared meals. However, we must be aware that some foods being prepared may cause food poisoning. Food poisoning comes from contaminated foods that are not cooked all the way through. Several foods can cause food poisoning—for example, eating raw food such as beef, eggs, chicken, and seafood. For example, meat is a product that can cause food poisoning, better known as salmonella, e-coli, and yersinia. Salmonella comes from chicken not being cooked all the way through.

There are ways to prevent food poisoning, which can be done by washing your hands before and after preparing food. According to the CDC (2022), your hands should be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds. When cooking meat, it should be cooked to a safe temperature. After the meat is cooked, clean and disinfect the surface. If the surface is unclean and someone touches it, they can develop food poison.

 So, when you are at the family cookout, ensure your hands are clean before and after preparing meals. Be aware of how thoroughly the meat is cooked before you serve it. It may help if you ask the person to cook your meat well done. For instance, some people like their beef cooked medium rare. However, if you are at a cookout, ask the person to cook your meat well done. Remember to wash your hands before and after eating so that germs do not enter your mouth. If we utilize the methods described in this blog, we can prevent food poisoning. Remember, prevention is key.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022b, December 7). Food poisoning symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html

The Importance of Prostate Screening

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Angela R. Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.co

Many men prolong getting a prostate exam or do not get one at all.  The reasons vary and include things like thinking they are not old enough to have a prostate exam or believing there is no reason for a prostate exam because they feel okay.  This approach can adversely impact your health by increasing your risk of prostate cancer.  

According to the American Cancer Society (2023), men should start screening for prostate cancer at 50.  However, African American men and men with a history of first-degree relatives, like a father or a brother, who have been diagnosed with Prostate cancer are at a higher risk. They should begin screening as early as 45. Men who have more than one first-degree relative should start their screening by the time they reach age 40. Although cancer screenings are essential, they are not recommended for men 75 and older because the risks outweigh the benefit in this age group.

So, what is a prostate exam? A prostate exam allows a doctor to check the male’s prostate by carefully inserting a gloved finger into his rectum. This allows the doctor to check for abnormalities, lumps, tenderness, hard spots, or swelling in a male’s prostate. The screening is quick (usually lasting only a few seconds) and not painful, although men have complained that it is relatively uncomfortable. If your results are abnormal, your doctor may need to conduct further testing like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a prostate biopsy to look for signs of cancer (John Hopkins Medicine, 2023).

Prostate screening allows cancer to be detected in its infancy, offering more treatment options, improving survivability, and extending life expectancy.  Prostate screening is one of the most essential things a male can do to find cancers before they spread, so please get in touch with your doctor to schedule an appointment. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

References

 American Cancer Society. (2023). American Cancer Society Recommendationos For Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org.

John Hopkins Medicine.  (2023). Prostate Cancer Screening.  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org.

Rochester Regional Health. (2021). Prostate Exams: Do You Really Need One?. https://hive.rochesterregional.org.

Sadness Can Turn into Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels.com

Sadness is an emotion that manifests through sorrow or unhappiness. It can be mild or severe, depending on the cause. Typically, the loss of something considered important triggers sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one may result in sorrow. While it is normal to experience unhappiness sometimes, it may become excessive and adversely affect daily living. Overthinking, inactivity, and self-criticism due to sadness can morph into depression, and individuals must adopt interventions to salvage the situation.

There are various ways in which sadness can turn into depression. Individuals repeatedly think about bad things when having low moods. This act is due to the desire to understand the reasons behind the happenings and the intention to counter the negative feelings. Unfortunately, overthinking magnifies depressed moods (Kecmanovic, 2020). Hence, instead of dwelling on things that increase sadness, individuals should focus on what can be done about depressing events.

Often, sadness makes people inactive. For instance, some individuals neglect their activities of daily living and opt to stay in bed. While this act is meant to help one escape their negative emotions, it may spur severe depression (Kecmanovic, 2020). In essence, restricting movement and avoiding social interactions leads to loneliness, which makes one prone to this mental disorder. Thus, individuals dealing with sadness should strive to remain active.

The current state of a person may trigger feelings of sadness. Failure to salvage the situation turns this emotion into depression. For instance, one may blame themselves for missing a dream job and experiencing unhappiness. When self-criticism and perfectionism escalate, one becomes depressed (Kecmanovic, 2020). Thus, it is critical to embrace self-compassion regardless of one’s situation. Individuals can achieve this stance by acknowledging their emotions, then directing care and understanding to themselves. By extending compassion, kindness, support, and warmth to oneself, a person evades depression.

Reference

Kecmanovic, J. (2020, December 1). Perspective | how to keep your sadness from turning into depression. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/sadness-depression-stopping-getting-worse/2020/11/27/b5fa88c8-0e3f-11eb-8074-0e943a91bf08_story.html