On International Dog Day—recognized annually on Aug. 26—we give a giant shout-out to all the great pups who help keep our mental health in check. Dozens of studies have shown that dogs (and cats!) can significantly improve mental health and well-being (here’s an example). A pup’s unconditional love goes beyond sloppy kisses and a game […]
August is National Make-A-Will Month
At WellStone, we are grateful for generous donors who support our efforts to connect children, adolescents, and adults to health and well-being. We are also grateful to donors who invest in our mission even further through their estate plans. In August, which is designated as National Make-A-Will month, we remember that a will is something […]
Heat Waves and Mental Health
Alabama is no stranger to summer’s scorching temperatures. It’s been an excessively hot summer. With the first day of fall just over a month away, relief is on the horizon. In the meantime, it’s important to recognize that excessive heat may affect your mental health more than you realize. A growing body of research explores the […]
One Year of the 988 Lifeline in North Alabama
It’s been a year since the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in Alabama. The impact has already been extraordinary. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which replaced the 10-digit Suicide Prevention Hotline, is supported by a national network of more than 200 regional call centers connecting individuals in crisis to 24/7 compassionate care and […]
YLAI Fellowship Program Visits WellStone
“The hope that one day I will have a ‘Wellstone’ back home has become my biggest goal.” Esther Sunchin Esther Sunchin traveled from San Salvador, El Salvador to North Alabama this spring through the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. She spent four weeks learning about the operations, development, and clinical services […]
Helping a Loved One with PTSD
Veterans make up 10.9% of Madison County’s population. That’s significant, as up to 30% of veterans experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But experts say it’s important to remember that anyone who has experienced trauma can develop PTSD. June is #PTSDAwarenessMonth and June 27 is #PTSDAwarenessDay. This month (and every month) there are steps […]
WHNT: Surgeon general says ‘Kids can’t afford to wait’ on mental health
The US remains in a National State of Emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy announced to Congress, “…our kids can’t afford to wait” for the mental health resources they desperately need. We couldn’t agree more. […]
WellStone Builds Urgently Needed Mental Health Center for Kids
WellStone broke ground this week on a transformational mental healthcare center for children—the first of its kind in Madison County. The inpatient pediatric center will provide stabilization, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for children and adolescents experiencing severe depression, extreme anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other mental health related crises. Read coverage on this week’s groundbreaking […]
5 Resources for Men’s Mental Health
Mental health stigmas persist for everyone, but studies show the effects can be especially harmful for men and boys experiencing symptoms of #mentalhealth conditions. Learn about this public health issue and help us raise #awareness about the current state of men’s mental health. Statistically, men are less likely to seek help for mental health conditions. […]
Wellstone Receives Critical Funds for Fight Against Opioid Epidemic
WellStone is committed to effective #prevention and #treatment measures to dramatically decrease #opioid use in our #community. We are thankful to the City of Huntsville, Alabama – Government for allocating funds to WellStone, Huntsville Hospital and First Stop to make this a reality. “It’s commendable to the city for taking these funds and really targeting them. Really challenging us to come up with specific plans that don’t […]