As his team raced down the court, he pulled down his mask and shouted instructions and encouragement. As she sat on the front row bench with her team—they were restless and continually stood up and down to move near and talk with her. The audience was loud with enthusiastic cheers and shouts as Taos won—56-31. [Read more…] about Giving Back to their Community
Giving Back in Full Measure!
“Imagine waking up to home filled with alcoholism and violence–immersed in gang culture and street mentality; struggling to survive. Where do you go? What do you do? “ Tony Struck was faced with these very questions at an early age. [Read more…] about Giving Back in Full Measure!
Protective and Risk Factors for Children
Depression, suicidal thoughts, extreme anxiousness, alcohol and drug use, aggression. These are all things we hope will not trouble our children. How can we keep them safe and thriving?
What are Realistic Expectations?
“When you push life, it will push you back!” declared Eric Mares, clinical director at Taos Behavioral Health (TBH). “I see it in a lot of ways at TBH as people have strong expectations and believe life is returning to how it was before COVID.”
Many Gifts to be Thankful For
As this deeply sorrowful year winds down, all of us at Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) know that for ourselves, for our clients, for our community, sharing positive thoughts is critical for sustaining our lives. We have much to grieve but we also have an abundance of gifts to celebrate.
Thanks to all the Support from New Mexico Businesses The Village is Truly Helping to Raise our Youth A Holiday Season of True Giving
“I am having a bad Christmas because I am not with my family!” said a TBH youth client in foster care. “But this is the best break I have ever had because when I come to camp, they help me to not feel alone.”
The Circle of Affection
We are undergoing difficult times related to our lack of cohesion as a nation that take me back to my service on the Army staff in the Pentagon. I was responsible for the issues related to race, drugs and alcohol, sexual harassment and all other discipline issues. Back in the early eighties, the nation was still suffering from the Vietnam malaise that made the task of creating an effective volunteer force even more problematic. While there were many views offered, the consensus in how to make the Army a more cohesive force, centered on generating team spirit, confidence and caring and mutual respect through realistic training.
Eating, Minding our “Inner Voices” and Mental Health
Editor’s Note: The holiday season is fully upon us, a time when celebrations can offer an overwhelming menu of food choices. As our 11/11/21 Taos Behavioral Health column emphasized, self-care in the holidays is extremely important. This week our column is given to us by local diabetes expert Dr Neal Friedman, looking at the impact of eating behaviors on medical and mental health. [Read more…] about Eating, Minding our “Inner Voices” and Mental Health
What is “Family” and how does that Shape Feelings about the Upcoming Holidays?
At a session earlier this year, my therapist reminded me that no feeling is final. This phrase really resonated with me as I am processing abuse and trauma from my biological family; so I wrote it on a post-it that I keep on my desk. Particularly during the holiday season, we are flooded with so many feelings, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. We are told repeatedly through advertisements lacking a trauma-informed approach that we should be happy during the holiday season and that the time is best spent with your family; invariably defined as parents, siblings and children.
[Read more…] about What is “Family” and how does that Shape Feelings about the Upcoming Holidays?
Holidays that Support Your Mental Health
As the Holidays of harvest and light approach with the opportunity for friends and families to gather, the question arises of how to spend the holidays. So let us each take a pause now and reflect on what we most value about the coming weeks and months. Is it most important to connect with others? To catch up on rest and relaxation? To have an adventure somewhere new or return to a tradition? To share gifts, food, songs, connect with familiar religious practices?
