Dr. Julio Rojas, psychologist and licensed alcohol and drug counselor at CPN Behavioral Health, discusses factors contributing to stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, and advocates for comprehensive and compassionate care.
CPN Behavioral Health will build a new clinical building thanks to a grant from the U.S. Indian Health Service. The current clinic is 4,300 square feet with care provided by eight professional staff, including one psychiatrist, three psychologists and five counselors. The new building is expected to house more providers, therapy rooms, a larger space for group therapy and a planned observation deck.
As a licensed professional counselor, Rickey Whisenhunt works with Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health patients on their self-care and affirmations as tools to improve their mental health. Self-Care Awareness Month in September is an excellent time to create new habits.
June is Men’s Health Month. Mental health often goes undiscussed but remains an essential part of holistic care and quality of life. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health Counselor Ray Tainpeah believes community and counseling lie as the keys to success when dealing with trauma.
After attending training and learning about resources, CPN Behavioral Health Therapist Ray Tainpeah started leading smoking cessation classes for Tribal members and employees in 2005, using the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking curriculum.
In recent months, CPN Behavioral Health Department Psychologist Shannon Beach has noticed a shift in anxiety focused first on the virus and sickness to its consequences now, such as quarantine, uncertainty, life management and more.
We aren’t always clear with one another in our communication. Right now seems particularly difficult to many people with so many messages about so many things going on in our society.
While many of us long for the kind of human contact we knew in the recent past, we can still experience too much closeness at times with the people we love. I know this seems confusing, and that’s because it is! But it’s also okay.
When we feel irritated, frustrated or annoyed with other people, trying to understand them and their thoughts will certainly help reduce those feelings. Almost every time we feel one of these three feelings, it is because we do not understand something about where others are coming from.
Our purpose in all of this is to stay safe. Stay safe physically and emotionally. Those are the goals. After that, go ahead and pick up a new hobby, or stay home and do nothing; or find a balance between the two.