The Chicago Journal

Anxiety can come from the heart, a mice study found

Anxiety Many studies on mental health have been conducted over the last several decades with the objective of aiding millions of people worldwide.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting around 30% of people and causing their hearts to beat.

Some, on the other hand, think that their beating heart adds to their anxiety.

Until now, a new mouse study found that they both belonged to the same group.

A new finding

The study, published in the March 9 issue of Nature, shows that in high-risk settings, a beating heart sends signals to the brain, increasing anxiety.

The findings may offer a new perspective on understanding and treating anxiety disorders.

Scientists observed anxiety-like behavior in mice after artificially increasing their heart rates.

They then calmed the mice by turning off a part of their brain.

The brain and emotions

According to Stanford University neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth, William James, the pioneer of psychology, proposed that physical experiences may contribute to emotions in the brain.

In his 1890 book The Principles of Psychology, James created the thesis that emotion follows what the body goes through, writing:

“We feel sorry because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble.”

Interoception is the phenomenon in which the brain feels impulses within the body.

Nevertheless, neuroscientist Anna Beyeler of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Bordeaux feels that determining whether these experiences contribute to emotion is impossible.

Beyeler analyzes brain networks connected with emotion and makes the following comment on his findings:

“I’m sure a lot of people have thought of doing these experiments, but no one really had the tools.”

Read also: Insomnia linked to heart attacks in new studies

The new study

Karl Deisseroth spent the most of his career developing devices for this kind of study.

He is one of the scientists that developed optogenetics, a method that utilizes viruses to modify the genes of certain cells so that they respond to light flashes.

With a light switch, scientists can regulate the activity of the cells.

In the current work, Deisseroth and his colleagues used a tiny vest with a light to change the heart rhythm of a mouse with a genetically altered heart.

When the mouse was switched off, its heart rate was around 600 beats per minute.

At 900 beats per minute, the mouse’s heartbeat was synced with the flashing light.

“It’s a nice reasonable acceleration [one mouse] would encounter in a time of stress or fear,” said Deisseroth.

When their hearts began to speed, the mice began to exhibit anxiety-like behavior.

In stressful situations, mice tend to retreat to the walls and hide in dark corners.

In another instance, when pressing a water lever resulted in a little shock every now and again, mice with normal heart rates pressed on it without hesitation.

Mice with a pounding heart, on the other hand, would become thirsty.

“Everybody was expecting that, but it’s the first time that it has been clearly demonstrated,” said Beyeler.

Brain scans

The researchers analyzed the mice’s brains for areas that may be processing the increased heart rate.

One of the most notable signals, according to Deisseroth, came from the posterior insula.

“The insula was interesting because it’s highly connected with interoceptive circuitry,” he said.

“When we saw that signal, [our] interest was definitely piqued.”

Further optogenetics were utilized to suppress activity in the posterior insula, which lowered the mice’s anxiety-like behaviors.

Although their hearts were still hammering, the animals behaved normally, spending more time in open areas of the mazes and pressing water levers without reluctance.

What next?

According to Wen Chen, branch chief of basic medical research for complementary and integrative health at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in Bethesda, the study’s findings caught the curiosity of many people.

“No matter what kind of meetings I go into, in the last two days, everybody brought up this paper,” said Chen.

The next step, according to Karl Deisseroth, is to look at other physical regions that may impact anxiety.

“We can feel it in our gut sometimes, or we can feel it in our neck or shoulders,” he said.

Using optogenetics, scientists may tense a mouse’s muscles or give it butterflies in the stomach to reveal new circuits that trigger fear or anxiety-like responses.

Yet, Beyeler believes that understanding the heart-brain connection might help doctors manage fear and anxiety.

The trip from the laboratory to the clinic, however, is more convoluted than the path from the heart to the head.

Image source: PETA

Hiking: some of the biggest pros

Hiking Many people are eager to make up for the time they were forced to stay at home because of the outbreak.

In addition to traveling and dining out, many people have resorted to gyms or a more active lifestyle to improve their health.

Hiking is a wonderful alternative to diet, rigorous lifting, and running in the park.

Trekking has been shown to have several advantages, ranging from physical exercise to mental relaxation.

Here are some of the most compelling reasons to begin hiking.

Weight loss

One of the most popular reasons people begin hiking is to lose weight.

Reducing weight might be difficult, but getting out of the house and into the mountains can be beneficial both physically and psychologically.

Even if some trekking sites are quite far, the effort will be well worth it.

Trekking across a new location every weekend can lead to additional calorie-burning activities, since hiking has been found to be a good weight-loss activity.

Some people may fail to achieve their weight loss goals due to a lack of enjoyment.

Hiking, on the other hand, may be enjoyable because it involves more than just good eating and going to the gym.

Mental health improvement

Work and school consume five of our seven days each week, which might cause stress.

Dealing with children and their families may be difficult at times.

When stress levels rise, mental health problems may arise.

As a result, stress can manifest as follows:

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Sleep problems
  • Upset stomachs

According to the Mayo Clinic, regular physical exercise may help you lower stress.

Hiking, whether with or without a companion, is an excellent method to relieve stress by getting away from it all, resting your mind, and carving out some quiet time for yourself.

Trekking is also well known as a kind of exercise that helps you to clear your thoughts while also enjoying nature and life.

Heart benefits

The heart, like every other muscle in your body, has to be exercised on a regular basis.

The fresh air you breathe while trekking can also assist your heart regenerate.

Regardless of how fit or out of shape you are, you may choose the level of difficulty of the trip you want to finish.

Read also: Fungal infection rate grows in 2023, concerns experts

Leg work

One of the main reasons people start hiking is to strengthen their legs.

Trekking is not like going to the gym in that your workout is typically stationary.

The steepness of the terrain when hiking, on the other hand, may deliver that “burn” while simultaneously strengthening your legs.

Diabetes control

When it comes to diabetes, doctors usually recommend walking above other forms of physical activity.

It is frequently an effective means of regulating blood glucose levels.

Hiking pushes the limit since the elevation needs greater strength.

Lower blood pressure

Often, specialists advise patients to improve their cardiovascular health in order to reduce their blood pressure.

Adults should aim for 150 minutes of physical exercise every week, according to a Healthline article.

Trekking is an aerobic exercise that can help you regulate your blood pressure.

Strengthen bone density

As we age, our bone density deteriorates, making us more prone to falling and breaking our bones.

According to study, hiking can help increase bone density.

Some trek routes need only walking, which is a great weight-bearing workout.

It is extremely advised that you go for walks or exercise while you are still young to enhance your bone density.

A social activity

Hiking is a great single activity, but it’s much better with friends or family.

Traveling in a group is also useful if you become lost and one of your party members knows the way.

New experiences

When it comes to trekking, there is virtually no end in sight.

Every journey is a chance to experience the world and engage with nature.

There’s always a new peak to climb, new people to meet, and new activities to try.

Image source: RTE

Mental health becomes concern following studies

Image source: Mashable

Mental health: The brains of teenagers in the US changed during the Covid-19 pandemic, causing them to age faster than average, according to studies.

Younger study participants reported more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and internalized problems.

Internalized problems typically include feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulty regulating emotions.

The symptoms all appeared after the first year of the pandemic.

Factors

Recent studies reveal multiple factors that caused adolescent mental health to suffer during the pandemic.

Teens were pulled out of school and separated from friends and support structures.

Many were forced to live with fear and uncertainty the Coronavirus brought.

Additionally, teens witnessed their parents losing their jobs while millions lost their parents and loved ones to the Coronavirus.

The study

Titled Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, the study is among the first to examine physical changes in the brain caused by stress and anxiety.

The paper was also published last Thursday.

The research comes from a more extensive study in which scientists tried to understand gender differences in adolescent depression.

Eight years ago, scientists launched a plan to perform MRI scans on 220 children aged 9 and 13 every two years.

The team conducted two rounds of analysis before the pandemic halted their research.

As a result, they had to wait until late 2020 to resume the scanning.

Read also: Portland woman breaks into another apartment and raises mental health help concerns

The brain

By then, scientists determined that the children affected by the 2020 pandemic had brains older than their chronological age.

The brain had growths in the amygdala and hippocampus.

The amygdala is the area regulating anxiety and stress, while the hippocampus is the area controlling access to memories.

During this time, tissues in the cortex, the part of the brain that controls executive functions, have thinned.

While a child’s brain naturally changes over time, research has shown that physical changes can happen more quickly in the face of significant adversity.

Other studies show that the brains of people who experience abuse, neglect, poverty and family problems early in life age faster.

They are also prone to later mental health issues.

Findings

The study’s lead author is Ian Gotlib, who teaches psychology at Stanford University.

He said the team expected to find a problem behind anxiety and depression.

However, they weren’t sure what they’d find with the MRI scans.

“The pandemic has not been kind to adolescent mental health,” said Gotlib.

“It’s always interesting to do research like this when you’re not really sure what’s going to happen.”

“These effects were interesting and happened pretty quickly.”

“This wasn’t just a one-year shutdown,” Gotlib added.

“So we didn’t know that the effects on the brain would be this pronounced after that short a period of stress.”

“It tracks with the mental health difficulties that we’re seeing.”

Ian Gotlib says it is unclear whether brain changes will have an impact as they grow older.

Future plans

Ian Gotlib’s team plans to examine ten children from the study who had Covid-19 to see if there is a different effect.

He noted that the physical difference is more pronounced in children with Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the diversion chief of pediatric neurology at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Dr. Max Wiznitzer, agreed that the brain changes were interesting.

However, he stressed whether the mental health issues persist is more important.

“The anatomy is not important,” said Wiznitzer, who was uninvolved with the research.

“It’s the functionality that’s important.”

“The clinical consequence here is the functional impact, the mental health condition clinically and how it’s functioning and how you deal with it.”

Wiznitzer also said that people can manage anxiety or depression with the right mental health interventions.

“The brain has that capacity for reorganization – or call it improvement, if you will,” said Wiznitzer.

Read also: Dylan Sessler’s One-on-One Mental Health Coaching Helps People Overcome Their Struggles

Other notes

Ian Gotlib is hopeful that parents and guardians will remember that mental health consequences can linger despite the end of lockdowns and school closures.

“Be sure that your adolescent or your teen is getting any help that he or she, that they, might need if they’re experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or being withdrawn.”

Reference:

Teens’ brain aged faster during the first year of the pandemic, study says, and stress may be to blame

Portland woman breaks into another apartment and raises mental health help concerns

Image source: Daily Caller

By now, residents of Portland, Oregon, know of Terri Zinzer, who has been arrested multiple times in recent months.

In every incident, it was clear that Zinzer needed mental health care, but the situation in the city made it difficult to do so.

A few weeks ago, Terri Zinzer is said to have walked into a house and laid down on a bed.

Last week, she was caught again in another break-in, and Zinzer missed a court hearing on Monday.

The latest incident

Zinzer’s break-in occurred at around 4:30 PM at an apartment on Northeast 17th Avenue near Northeast Broadway.

According to Drew Doety, his mother came home from work and found a stranger on her bed.

“She unlocks the door to find a person sleeping in her bedroom under her blanket,” Doety explained.

“At first, she thought it was my sister, but then discovered that it was a random person, random woman in her bed.”

“She yelled at them to get out, then realized that it was just better to leave the apartment and call the police.”

Doety said his mother went back in to check the situation and found the woman hiding in a closet with her clothes on.

When the police arrived at the property, Zinzer barricaded himself in the bathroom.

Doety said police had to break down the door and take her away in handcuffs.

“I would say it was a pretty distressing situation for everybody involved,” he said.

“And definitely not the kind of thing that you expect to come home to, but in Portland, it is seeming more and more commonplace.”

Terri Zinzer

Drew Doety’s sentiments rang true, especially in the case of Zinzer, whose actions shed some light on the flaws in the justice system for not getting her help.

Although the prosecutor said she needed mental health care, Zinzer refused.

As a result, she has had more confrontations with the police in recent months.

Past incidents

Terri Zinzer’s first confrontation with the police began in July when she was caught stealing in Gresham.

However, the district attorney’s office did not charge her anything.

A few weeks later, police caught her committing trespass, but the district attorney’s office has not yet filed a lawsuit against her.

On September 12, Zinzer broke into Kelsey Smith’s home, with the break-in captured on security video.

Initially, the prosecutor’s office said they would not charge him, but claimed Zinzer needed psychiatric care, not prison.

Instead, they chose to file a complaint.

Terri Zinzer was indicted last week.

An arrest warrant was later issued on September 19 after missing a hearing in Clackamas County.

During that hearing, it was going to be determined if she was mentally capable of handling another theft case.

On September 27, Zinzer was arrested for theft, disorderly behavior, and false information.

Since the district attorney’s office had not filed a complaint, she was released from prison.

On September 30, Zinzer broke into Doety’s apartment.

After the break-in

Drew Doety and his family were shocked by the event and are currently waiting for the police before taking any action.

“Definitely violating to have somebody come into your home and to find somebody in your bed,” he said.

“So we spent the night basically sanitizing the entire apartment, and now it’s a matter of calling the police and insurance and hoping everything can get solved.”

According to Doety, they plan to file a complaint.

Zinzer was supposed to appear in court on Monday, but was instead held in solitary confinement.

According to court documents, she yells and swears at officials, knocks on the cell door, and spits on the windows.

Prior to the current situation, Terri Zinzer was charged with 16 offenses in 2018.

Even then, she didn’t seem to get the help she needed.

Reference:

Justice system appears unable to provide necessary mental health help for Terri Zinzer

TikTok research finds teens exposed to harmful content

Image source: Psy Post

In 2022, TikTok faced many issues, with security issues coming in the first place.

A recent study raises the possibility that it might negatively affect young users.

After kids create an account on the video-sharing app, it may begin to promote inappropriate material regarding eating disorders and suicide.

The outcomes are expected to fuel the fires as TikTok’s issues worsen, especially in light of how it impacts young users.

The study

The charity Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) released a report on Wednesday.

They discovered that it takes less than three minutes to watch content on TikTok about body image and suicide after signing up.

Users can find a community on the app that promotes information about eating disorders five minutes later.

The researchers claim that they created eight more accounts in the US.

New TikTok users in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia must be at least 13 years old.

The accounts took a little break and liked content about mental health and body image.

Every 39 seconds throughout the course of a 30-minute period, TikTok suggested videos about mental health and body image, according to the CCDH.

TikTok woes

The study is being released as local, state, and federal officials look into potential sanctions for TikTok, particularly concerning privacy and security concerns.

They are also evaluating the app’s safety for teenagers.

The study was made available to the public more than a year after senators questioned executives from social media companies during congressional hearings.

They were worried that the harmful content that would be shared on their platforms would expose younger users, particularly adolescent girls, to their mental health and self-esteem.

Following hearings and disclosures by Facebook leaker Frances Haugen, the companies decided to tighten their control over teenagers.

The CCDH study, however, indicates that more work has to be done.

“The results are every parent’s nightmare,” said Imran Ahmed, the CEO of the CCDH.

“Young people’s feeds are bombarded with harmful, harrowing content that can have a significant cumulative impact on their understanding of the world around them and their physical and mental health.”

Read also: NetChoice claims California law violates First Amendment, sues state

Response

In response to the study’s publication, a TikTok official claimed that it was incorrect for a number of reasons, including:

  • Small sample size
  • The limited 30-minute window for testing
  • How the accounts scrolled past unrelated topics to find other content

“This activity and resulting experience does not reflect genuine behavior or viewing experiences of real people,” said the spokesperson.

“We regularly consult with health experts, remove violations of our policies, and provide access to supportive resources for anyone in need.”

“We’re mindful that triggering content is unique to each individual and remain focused on fostering a safe and comfortable space for everyone, including people who choose to share their recovery journeys or educate others on these important topics.”

The representative claims that the CCDH doesn’t differentiate between positive and negative videos on particular issues, noting that people frequently share inspiring stories of conquering eating disorders.

Safeguards

TikTok asserts that it is constantly enhancing user protections.

For instance, the app now has filters that may exclude explicit or “possibly harmful” videos.

TikTok developed a “maturity score” in July to identify videos with potentially mature or advanced content.

Additionally, users may choose how long they want to spend watching TikTok videos, regularly schedule screen breaks, and access a dashboard that shows information like how often they use the app.

Additionally, TikTok offers a number of parental restrictions.

Algorithm

The US Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office faked a 13-year-old girl’s Instagram account last year.

The account was followed by posts regarding dieting and eating disorders (which are supposed to be banned).

Blumenthal claims that the account began to be elevated to accounts with more extreme diets.

Instagram later deleted the accounts because it had violated its policies against encouraging eating disorders.

Read also: Donald Trump slumps in voter standing based on recent poll

Policy violations

According to TikTok, it is forbidden to post anything that suggests suicide or other self-destructive behavior or that normalizes, normalizes, or glorifies such behavior.

The information below shows videos that were taken down for breaking the laws against self-harm and suicide between April and June 2022:

  • 93.4% were removed at zero views
  • 91.5% were removed 24 hours after being posted
  • 97.1% were removed before anyone reported them

The representative claims that anyone looking for prohibited terms like “#selfharm” won’t come up with anything.

They will be recommended to local aid programs instead.

Despite the assurances, the CCDH argues that additional steps are required to limit some content and enhance protection for individuals under 18.

“This report underscores the urgent need for reform of online space,” said Ahmed.

“Without oversight, TikTok’s opaque platform will continue to profit by serving its users – children as young as 13, remember – increasingly intense and distressing content without checks, resources or support.”

Reference:

TikTok may push potentially harmful content to teens within minutes, study finds

Scott Waltman: How this psychologist is helping people through memes

Scott Waltman is an author, international trainer and clinical psychologist who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He went to graduate school at Pacific University in Oregon, and did his predoctoral internship at the Colorado Mental health Institute in Pueblo. After that, Scott completed his postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. From there, he started working at the University of Pennsylvania, where he worked as a cognitive behavior therapy trainer under Dr. Aaron T. Beck, the originator of cognitive therapy and one of the most influential and famous psychiatrists of all time.

Working with Dr. Beck, Scott Waltman realized that Socratic questioning was a common challenge for clinicians. He, along with Dr. Aaron T. Beck, then studied how expert clinicians use Socratic questioning and put that information together to create a new format for teaching Socratic questioning to clinicians. Their framework was designed to both correct the common mistakes that people make and train clinicians to use the chronic question in a way consistent with an expert therapist. 

“While I presented this model at various international conferences to help with the uptake, we found that a number of clinicians we wanted to reach weren’t attending conferences. So we had to think of creative ways to reach clinicians who are normally difficult to reach,” shared Scott Waltman. “This is how I decided to start my Instagram page ‘socraticmethodcbt’. It’s a mix of memes and educational materials geared towards therapists and mental health advocates,” he added.

Though meant for therapists and clinicians, his memes are widely followed by the masses in general since it provides a lighter way to address their issues, normalizing the concept of mental health issues. The page is full of amusing memes and helpful tips with the intention of making useful information accessible in a format that is not only engaging but also entertaining. 

There is no doubt that memes have become a common way of communication in this day and age. Even when you don’t talk to your friends or relatives for weeks, you find a relevant meme to share with them. It’s a conversation starter and also a way to show others they are remembered. The fact is that memes have garnered immense attention over the past few years, and with social media becoming such an important part of our lives, the craze for fun content has increased exponentially. 

Where mental health issues are still considered taboo in some parts of the world, and people avoid talking about their problems for fear of being labeled, Scott Waltman has come up with an interesting and informative way to spread awareness about mental issues. People can associate with his posts and realize what they are going through, all the while taking useful tips to help them cope with their day-to-day lives. 

Scott Waltman’s book, ‘Socratic Questioning for Therapists and Counselors: Learn How to Think and Intervene Like a Cognitive Behavior Therapist’ has gained international support from therapists around the world. Through this book, readers will learn how to apply his framework to specialty populations, such as patients with borderline personality disorder who receive dialectical behavior therapy. Apart from that, additional chapters contain explicit guidance on how to layer intervention to transform core beliefs and schema. This book is a must-read for therapists in training, early career professionals, supervisors, trainers, and any clinician looking to refine and enhance their ability to use Socratic strategies to bring about lasting change.

The expert psychologist believes that mindset is essential but not as important as the actions you take. “I am not an affirmations person because, in my experience, people often do not believe the affirmations they say,” shared Scott. “Instead what I find is often, when someone is looking to make changes in their life, the feelings are the last thing to change. What is important is to set a direction and take action. As someone takes action, the circumstances of their life will change too. As the circumstances of their life change, the narrative and emotions will catch up. It is all interconnected,” he added.

Scott Waltman is board certified in CBT by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is also a fellow diplomat and a certified trainer consultant for the Academy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He also sits on the Board of The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral 

Therapy and the International Association of Cognitive and Behavior Therapies. With vast experience in studying, practicing and then training therapists, he understands the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy and its life-changing impact on people’s lives. Be it his serious therapy sessions or interactive yet fun memes, all his work is based on helping people get better control over their emotions and have a healthy, constructive and positive mind. 

Paddy Pimblett’s Speech After UFC Victory Helps More Men Open Up About Mental Health

Image source: Getty Images

While Paddy Pimblett’s UFC win over Jordan Leavitt was a career milestone, it was his post-fight speech that stole the show.

Pimblett’s interview

The rising star was on a meteoric rise to becoming a popular figure in the sport when he dedicated his victory to a friend who took his own life, growing his fanbase even more.

Paddy Pimblett used the interview to urge men to break the mental health stigma.

“I woke up on Friday morning at 4am to a message that one of my friends back home killed himself,” Pimblett said.

“This was five hours before my weigh-in. So, Ricky lad, that’s for you.”

“There’s a stigma in this world that men can’t talk. Listen: if you’re a man and you’ve got weight on your shoulders, and you think the only way you can solve it is by killing yourself, please speak to someone. Speak to anyone!”

“I know I’d rather have me mate cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week.”

“So please, let’s get rid of this stigma. And men, start talking!”

Pimblett was seen walking into the media area in tears after his speech.

The result

Pimblett’s words resonated with viewers as more and more men came forward asking for help.

A mental health counselor has revealed a wave of men took his words to heart, reached out and spoke out.

A moderator from Andy’s Man Club, a mental health group based in West Yorkshire, England, revealed that Pimblett’s speech helped more people to participate for the first time.

“Across both of the Leeds and Castleford groups we have 69 (10 new) and 39 (9 new) who attended respectively,” said Andy Wilson.

“It just shows how much the groups are needed and how more and more men are talking if they’re struggling.”

“The interview with Paddy Pimblett following his fight at the weekend can only have helped raise awareness on how important it is for people to open up and talk if they’re struggling with anything, and a reminder once again that it’s okay to talk.”

Experts weigh in

Tracey Marchese, a professor at Syracuse University’s School of Social Work, was moved by his speech and agrees with him.

“Depression and suicide are some of the leading causes of death in men,” she revealed.

“And even the people who complete suicide, the rate is about four times higher in men than it is in women.”

Marchese attributes the number to culture’s specific idea of ​​how men are “supposed” to act.

“I mean, think about the phrase ‘man up,” he explained.

“Men are essentially, and I don’t want to stereotype and all men are treated this way, but if we look at the big picture in society, this is what we see.”

““It’s a weakness to show that you have signs of mental illness or that you’re not coping well.”

When it comes to seeking help, whether through medication or simply by talking about it, Marchese believes this should be seen in the same light as seeking cures for other diseases.

“Would you not take diabetes medication? Would you not take insulin?”

“So to think that depression is seen differently as if you somehow caused it or that you are weak because you can’t handle your problems is absurd.”

For a prominent figure like Paddy Pimblett in the UFC world, Tracey Marchese was moved by his encouragement of other men to open up, and the response to his words was even better.

“I heard the crowd cheering for him when he said it,” she said. “That’s the other piece that was so important.”

“It’s not that he was just saying it and up there doing it. He was in a crowd of people, and the things he was talking about, it wasn’t just about him. It was about what he was saying.”

References:

Huge numbers of men are seeking mental health help following Paddy Pimblett’s speech

UFC star Paddy Pimblett sparks a powerful discussion about mental health

How Jennifer Pinkerton Empowers Individuals to Heal from Their Trauma

Harboring unprocessed emotional trauma can be damaging to any individual’s personal growth and relationships. It can also rob them of the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, have a productive career and have a thriving marriage. For these reasons, psychotherapist, writer, and motivational speaker Jennifer Pinkerton is dedicating her career to helping people suffering from trauma see their experience from the proper perspective so they can begin to heal and thrive.

The owner of Pinkerton Psychotherapy and host of the REDHEADREVEAL™ podcast is a well-known connection expert and emotional health advocate. She helps people reveal and understand their attachment wounds and unresolved emotional trauma that have been keeping them in survival mode for a great part of their lives. Pinkerton understands fully well that these unresolved issues in their lives tend to negatively impact their relationships and sexuality. 

Pinkerton offers online workshops and intensives to help her clients navigate their wounds. She is also best known for her love lessons that have effectively helped her clients develop better relationships and intimate experiences. In her podcast, she addresses the intricacies of developing personal resilience and discusses it with thought leaders who contribute to the topic. 

Her private practice in Houston, Texas, has allowed her to work with children, teens, adults, individuals, couples, and families who wish to elevate their life experiences by letting go of the pain in their past. Pinkerton Psychotherapy is dedicated to providing high-quality, thoughtful, and empowering psychotherapy and coaching services to its clients from all walks of life. The practice’s mission is based on the mindset to meet clients where they are and customize therapy and coaching to each person’s needs to provide the most opportunity for growth, self-awareness, and resolution.

Throughout the course of her productive professional career, Pinkerton has seen adults get stuck in life, unable to move forward due to their traumas in the past. Primarily, they cannot function in relationships and achieve connection, authenticity, and vulnerability. When left unresolved, relationships often become a casualty. 

“If we were taught love under difficult circumstances that dealt with betrayal, inconsistency, intrusiveness, unmet needs, lack of attunement, mental illness, abandonment, abuse or addiction, this shapes our emotional balance, and we seek to repeat the cycle. This inheritance doesn’t have to be accepted. We can create a new narrative of self-actualization and awareness, basically, a new story in your head that doesn’t encompass trauma,” Pinkerton revealed. 

As a professional psychotherapist and coach, Pinkerton believes that healing is not linear. People will repeat what they do not heal. That is why she believes in the value of engaging in an intentional transformation that allows people to create an entirely new narrative without discounting or invalidating the trauma that took place. Thanks to Pinkerton and her personal advocacy, her clients can begin to live more meaningful lives and return to the person they were born to be. 

Inspiring My Generation Launches Clothing Line “Therapy for All” to Promote Mental Health

Despite having persisted for decades, mental health continues to lack attention in numerous institutes worldwide. However, several endeavors have been launched to remedy this and raise the conversation on mental health – among those being Inspiring My Generation’s newest venture “Therapy for All.”

As a nonprofit organization established by Francesca Reicherter, Inspiring My Generation operates on the mission to bring warmth to people dealing with mental illnesses. “I wanted to build a brand centered around giving back and encouraging activism,” the inspirational founder shares.

“I wanted to build a brand that served as a source of hope and encouragement for individuals living with mental illness to know they are not alone and there are people out there willing to lend a helping hand.”

Francesca has also designed “Inspiring My Generation” as a voice for those who lost loved ones to suicide in honor of the lives that they were not able to live.

Furthering this mission, Inspiring My Generation has been instrumental in the fight against the stigma surrounding mental health. By becoming an indispensable voice of faith and strength and normalizing the conversation on mental illnesses, the influential nonprofit organization has helped countless individuals worldwide survive and thrive.

On January 17, 2021, Francesca Reicherter’s successful venture launched its first clothing collection called “Therapy for All.” The collection’s proceeds are donated to the T3 Mental Health Grant that provides financial assistance to people living with mental illness who cannot afford the treatment they need.

To appeal to its international audience, “Therapy for All” carries merchandise with uplifting messages centered on promoting mental health. Through T-shirts, notebooks, and hoodies, the collection echoes the advocacy that inspired its launch. 

“We also have limited edition items coming out at the end of every quarter, giveaways at the start of every month on our Instagram, and a second collection launching in July 2021,” Francesca reveals.

While her dedicated team gets busy with their upcoming projects, Inspiring My Generation grows its impact in the community. Continuing to develop its legacy, the nonprofit organization provides support and encouragement to those hospitalized with suicidal ideation. Inspiring My Generation also educates its reach on mental health, illness, and wellness. It also writes imperative letters to state government leaders to increase the support and call for funding for its cause – communicating the need for supportive treatment laws for individuals dealing with mental illness. Slowly changing the world with every letter, and now, with every item sold, Francesca plans to grow Inspiring My Generation’s clothing collections.

Five years from now, she hopes to see people worldwide wear the organization’s clothes daily and casually converse about mental health. “I want Inspiring My Generation to be a recognizable brand that encourages positive and impactful conversations on mental health and serves as a safe place.”

While her nonprofit venture will transition into a household name, Francesca sees her organization as generating enough profit to broaden her mission. Through her efforts and countless others’, mental health will, one day, no longer be a taboo or shameful topic in all parts of the globe.

Save lives through shopping. Browse through Francesca Reicherter’s “Therapy for All” collection online. Learn more about the awe-inspiring mental health advocate and how she furthers her cause on Inspiring My Generation’s official website

Samaria Kelly to Launch Thee W.O.R.D. Clothing for MH Awareness

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many have found themselves in a state of constant fear, worry, and stress. These are normal and understandable responses to an abnormal and unprecedented situation. Dreadful times like these should inspire kindness and humanity in everyone to lighten the load. Mental health advocate Samaria Kelly aims to preach a message of love and compassion amid these challenging times.

Samaria Kelly is a young entrepreneur, singer and songwriter, creative writer, public speaker, and mental health advocate. She is known as Thee Word Girl by her peers for her encouraging words, taking inspiration from the Word of God. As a servant of God, Samaria takes on many roles and performs many duties, but ultimately, her goal is to give someone a life-changing experience, something that she herself has undergone.

Samaria Kelly brands herself as a survivor. As a survivor of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and depression, there is little that she has yet to face. Her past scars mar her young life, but she looks to God for strength and inspiration. In turn, Samaria preaches stories of hope and a new life to others who may still be struggling in their faith.

Samaria draws strength from her one-year-old son. His birth brought a whole new beacon of light in her life and challenged her to do better to give him a good life. Zeroing in on her dreams, Samaria Kelly recently decided to pursue the life of a full-time entrepreneur. As a nurse, it was hard for her to leave the life and career, but she knew that it was time to move on. Through divine inspiration, Samaria is able to live out the life she has always dreamed of finally.

Samaria is currently working on a series of product releases that she plans to launch by the end of 2020. The young mother plans to publish her first-ever book, which will tell a story of overcoming rejection and achieving success. Being a singer-songwriter, Samaria is also planning to release her first album.

Never one to run out of ideas to honor God, Samaria Kelly is also planning to launch an exclusive subscription service called Thee Word Girl. Through this service, subscribers can receive good news inspired by God’s word and messages of faith and hope. The service also offers tips on mental health along with relevant tools and resources.

To top it off, Samaria Kelly is set to launch the Thee W.O.R.D. Clothing line, which aims to empower others. In this case, Thee W.O.R.D. stands for Win On Repeat Daily. True to her word as a mental health advocate, Samaria plans to donate a portion of the profits to the Mental Health Foundation.

After years of struggling with several battles, Samaria is finally seeing her dreams come true, and she’s not planning to rest anytime soon. With her son by her side, Samaria plans to see the world, speaking and performing on various platforms while transforming lives for God’s glory.

Know more about Samaria Kelly on her website and follow her on Facebook.