It’s the first few weeks of classes, and that means ice breakers. Here’s my go-to response to “tell us about yourself”: Hi, my name is Katie Good, I am a junior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and in my free time I love to paint, chat with friends, and kickbox. After that, the attention turns away from me and I go back to learning about others.
Read MoreWith the new year approaching and new vacation days being added to the bank, many people are thinking about planning a vacation. And while most getaways are meant to be relaxing, it can be difficult to prepare for a stress-free trip when you’re new to sober life. Many vacations are associated with drinking on the beach, or involve an all-inclusive resort that hinges on free alcohol and social events.
Read MoreLike because...Love despite…
A few years ago when watching a movie, I came across a quote I now bring up regularly. The movie is called Set It Up made by Netflix. The quote was “we like because and we love despite.” The movie talks about how we like someone because of their good qualities and how we love someone despite all of their negative qualities that may get under our skin. In the movie this is used to describe romantic connections, roommates, and platonic relationships and the movie emphasizes the importance of having both.
Read MoreA lack of sleep can impact your mental health and cause a host of physical ailments. The physical aspects are easy to identify and deal with, but the mental stress is often overlooked and much trickier to pinpoint. By having a thorough understanding of your personal triggers, you can more easily get to the root of the problem, thus nipping the reasons for the insomnia in the bud.
Read MoreDo you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression and want to know how to help them?
Read More…with the right planning, there’s no reason why a return to normality can’t be a return to form. Here are some ideas to help you prepare.
Read MoreStan Popovich, author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear”, gives his advice for managing anxiety.
Read MoreMentality Magazine was founded with a dual purpose in mind: to create a community space where one can discuss mental health safely and openly and to work to destigmatize mental health through these discussions and writing. Therefore, Mentality Magazine is elated to officially announce our partnership with local Ann Arbor mental wellness organization, Steps Wellness! In particular, we are excited to continue to share the support that can be found in our authors’ pieces on the Unite platform as an additional way to highlight struggles with mental illness, celebrate journeys to mental wellness, and encourage others to find practices and resources that support their mental wellbeing.
Read MoreEmotional intelligence, or EQ, is something that every college student should harness by the time they graduate. Why such a strong and simple statement? When we live in a world where post-secondary education is more dedicated towards brain development rather than character development, where students go to college believing they will magically discover themselves, and when achievement culture drives Generation Z’s livelihoods, a blunt and a few White Claws later, we find ourselves engrossed in a toxic cycle.
Read MoreMentality Magazine was super excited to participate in a Conversation for Change podcast hosted by the University of Michigan School of Social Work. The podcast titled, “Destigmatizing Conversations about Mental Health,” features Mentality’s President Liz Hoornstra and Events and Outreach Coordinator Ashley Bond. In the 10-minute recording, Liz and Ashley share a bit about their backgrounds, their experiences with mental health, and the impact that Mentality Magazine has had on their mental health journeys.
Read MoreIn times like these, it is so very easy to feel lonely. Discouraged. Anxious. Depressed. That’s why it has never been more important to seek out support. hEARt makes it simple for students to access help. Just text the hEARt Line at 734-292-8006, and within hours, you’ll be anonymously connected with a student peer supporter who has been trained in skills like active listening, smart referral, and crisis management.
Read MoreIf you like to read, or if you keep up with the publishing world, you've probably heard of the #ownvoices trend. Originally coined in 2015 by YA author Corinne Duyvis, the hashtag was intended to spotlight fiction stories written by authors who belong to the same marginalized group(s) as their characters. But much like most well-intended internet movements, #ownvoices has a dark side.
Read MoreThis book made me realize how much has changed and how much is missing in modern life. Generations before us were much more connected, thus a longing for more is justified. The world today reeks of greed and exploitation that once didn’t exist.
Read MoreHeal, Empower, Affirm and Love (H.E.A.L.) is designed to provide mental health resources across communities and needs, and is especially useful in our current situation. Effort has been made to be as inclusive and encompassing as possible. However, this is meant to be a living document, so please feel free to suggest any resource you think may be missing. It’d be appreciated if you share this with as many people as possible, because this is something we can all benefit from.
Read MoreThe coronavirus pandemic is not the first that humans have encountered. And with each new incident, we learn something new, and our lives are changed forever. What is different about COVID-19 is that it’s hitting us in a time when we are more connected than ever, and our collective ingenuity is shining through in many ways, both big and small.
Read MoreMental Block Films is a short-films project focused on mental health representation in media that wants your help. Our mission is to break down stigma around mental health journeys and bring diversity and authenticity to media representations. Each short film will focus on one mental illness or mental health issue, such as Bipolar Disorder, OCD, grief, PTSD, and self-care.
Read MoreIn honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the University of Michigan hosted its 34th annual MLK symposium. On this day off, students were encouraged to attend several events that both spread King’s legacy and touched on this year’s theme: The (Mis)Education of US. A highlight of the MLK symposium was the keynote speech by Angela Davis, a well-known academic, author, and activist.
Read MoreTo make a lifestyle change that lasts beyond January, we first have to change the way we think about these resolutions. So if you’re still persevering towards your goals, or even if you’ve let some goals slip, these tips will make it possible for you to crush your resolutions for 2020.
Read MorePanic attacks are a very real experience many people have. Hopefully, knowledge of the science behind the attack can aid you in your next experience with it. The next time you, a friend or loved one, or even a stranger, are having an attack, inhale, count to three, exhale, count to three, and remind yourself that this is only adrenaline, just adrenaline.
Read MoreCAPS in Action, or CIA, is a student organization that works with the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services (more popularly known as CAPS) to work on ways to educate the student body about mental illness and, most importantly, how to get help. Through CIA, I was able to express my passion for mental health by collaborating on projects to help make students’ lives a little brighter every day.
Read More
