Category: Depression

Mental Health Takeaways From Meghan & Harry’s Oprah Interview

Available for Interviews: Dr. Alice Fong

Alice Fong, ND, is an integrative naturopathic doctor specializing in stress, integrative medicine, diet & weight loss, and is a business growth consultant for holistic healthcare providers.

What Dr. Alice Fong can say in an interview
About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Interview With Oprah:

What Meghan and Harry’s Interview with Oprah taught us about speaking out when we feel silenced and trapped.

Even though most of us are not members or ex-members of the British Parliament, I’ve encountered many people who expressed to me that they felt “trapped” in their life in some form or fashion. Maybe they have felt stuck in a loveless marriage, or even worse, an abusive relationship. Or perhaps trapped in a job they hate and not being able to express their frustrations. People who feel stuck in a seemingly hopeless situation for a long period of time are at a high-risk for major depressive disorder, and even suicidal ideation. 

Continue reading “Mental Health Takeaways From Meghan & Harry’s Oprah Interview”

6 Things You Can Do When You Are Feeling Lonely or Depressed

Available for Interviews: Dr. Alice Fong

Alice Fong, ND, is an integrative naturopathic doctor specializing in stress, integrative medicine, diet & weight loss, and is a business growth consultant for holistic healthcare providers.

What Dr. Alice Fong can say in an interview on
What You Can Do When Feeling Lonely or Depressed:

 1. Don’t Suppress It. Some people have the notion that since emotions are irrational by nature, they should suppress it. This is not necessarily the best way to deal with heavy emotions. Remember, humans are by nature emotional beings. It’s okay to be sad, to feel frustrated, to grieve, or be disappointed. It is perfectly normal. Avoiding or bottling up those feelings does not allow us to move on from them. Yes, some emotions can be uncomfortable, even painful, but just remember emotions come and go and don’t last forever.   

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Coping With the Holidays During the Year of COVID

Interview with Dr. Colleen Cira:

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, and has worked with hundreds of people struggling with mental health issues.

There is a lot going on in terms of Psychophysiology when trauma is being felt—or in other words, our brains affect our body and visa versa. This information is imperative when it comes to learning how to calm our bodies and re-regulate our nervous system.

Talking Points from Dr. Cira
On Political Anxiety:

Holiday stress is common this time of year, but this year’s pandemic have made the holidays particularly challenging to our mental health—concerns for our health and the health of those we love, feelings of loneliness with less social interactions, not being to enjoy in-person shopping as much by avoiding large crowds, little to none of the holiday parties with our family or colleagues that we typically enjoy this special time of year, etc. Here a few tips for better managing your emotional health, always, and especially during the Holidays.

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National Keep Smiling Week / National Smile Day

And now . . . something to smile about!

National Keep Smiling Week will be May 25 ending May 31, 2020, National Smile Day. We need it this year more than ever.

AVAILABLE for Interviews:
Ken Rochon, Co-Founder of the Keep Smiling Movement

The Keep Smiling Movement, Inc, A 501(3)C Global Mental Health Organization Is Designed To Increase HOPE & HAPPINESS By Distributing Keep Smiling Cards In 27 Languages & Positive Message Cards; Motivational Social Media Outreach; Distribution Of Ebooks With Inspirational Stories Featuring Photographs Of Change Makers, Celebrities & Influencers; & Mental Health Programs All Created To Raise Awareness To Heal Millions. 

Imagine 264 Million People Suffering from Depression Now Having a Reason to SMILE!

The Keep Smiling Movement is stepping up to counteract the adverse effects of COVID-19 during National Mental Health Month. Giving a “DOSE of HOPE,” this mental-health nonprofit organization celebrates National Keep Smiling Week starting May 25 ending May 31, 2020, National Smile Day. 

 With 45% of Americans stating they suffer from anxiety, fear, and depression (1), 2020’s statistics will skyrocket past 2019’s reported 264 million suffering from depression. With those staggering numbers, this year will surpass last year’s statistics of 800,000 people who took their lives unable to handle the stressors facing them. For every successful suicide, another 20 people attempted suicide.

 Determined to make a change, the Keep Smiling Movement is making a stand to give people a reason to smile, to find joy, and to save lives. To them, a smile is the universal expression of love and acceptance that crosses all boundaries.  

In 2015, Ken Rochon, Co-Founder and Celebrity Event Photographer, was seeking purpose and passion, a new way of living after losing his mother to Alzheimer’s several years prior. He was seeking a way to lead a life of legacy as a model for his son, K3. Then, he met Barry Shore, Co-Founder and Ambassador of Joy, a man who radiated JOY when he handed Ken a card imprinted ‘Keep Smiling.” 

Rochon was moved by Barry’s story, a successful serial entrepreneur with three patents who became a quadriplegic overnight from a rare autoimmune disease. Finding his smile to over adversity, he willed his body to almost fully functioning after 14 years of quadriplegia despite doctors saying he would never walk again.  

Shore was determined to raise the joy level of people’s lives by passing out 10 million cards by 2020. Therefore, inspired to help him, Ken asked permission to create a viral movement out of the ‘Keep Smiling’ cards. With a JOYFUL, ‘Yeah, Baby!’ Barry agreed. Ken had found his purpose and passion. 

Ken Rochon quickly enlisted Andrea Adams-Miller, an International Publicist for help. Andrea, now Executive Director of the Keep Smiling Movement, was looking for her purpose, too. She also wanted to inspire others to find happiness through adversity. The fall before meeting Ken, her daughter was in a tragic horse accident the same day her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time. 

 

Both of her family members thrived by staying positive, and upon meeting Ken, Andrea was instantly moved to support Ken and Barry wholeheartedly. In 2019, she made their dream a nonprofit, the Keep Smiling Movement, Inc, a 501(3)c nonprofit mental health organization designed to increase HOPE and HAPPINESS. 

 

Ken Rochon’s viral vision and hard work of taking thousands of ‘Keep Smiling’ photos led to the creation of the first Keep Smiling: Shift Happens book. Now a book series, these 140 co-authored books feature stories of triumph over challenges and motivational quotes. Additionally, they feature smile photos of Change Makers, Celebrities, and Influencers holding Keep Smiling cards. Co-Authors include Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of Business Network International; Wm. Paul Young, Author of The Shack; Wayne Connell, Founder of InvisibleDisabilities.org; Michael Mann, Actor”; and many more.

 

As a team with their new Chief of Operations, Krystylle Richardson, Business Transformation Strategist & International Missionary, they achieve these goals by distributing Keep Smiling cards and positive message cards, delivering positive social media outreach; and publishing inspirational photo books. 

 

Additionally, they have a mental health curriculum to overcome limiting beliefs, generate positivity, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Their online Facebook page ‘The Keep Smiling Ambassadors’ welcomes the public to join in S.M.I.L.E.S., a Society Merging International Leaders and Entrepreneurs for Social-Responsibility. Also, they generate advocacy and awareness for over 20 other nonprofit organizations. These organizations provide niche programs and services for people in need, including Veterans, Homelessness, Orphans, Foster Care, Cancer Survivor, Self Esteem, & more.

 

Interview: Ken Rochon.

Ken Rochon, is Co-Founder of the Keep Smiling Movement. To interview the team, to get your cards, to donate, and to support the Keep Smiling Movement in spreading a ‘DOSE of HOPE’ by being an Keep Smiling Ambassador, visit www.TheKeepSmilingMovement.com or reach out to info@TheKeepSmilingMovement.com.

Contact:
Jo Allison
Managing Editor
Director of Public Relations
MEDIA AMBASSADORS
Success In Media, Inc.
Jo@SuccessInMedia.com

 

Citations:

1)    Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal, Kendal Orgera, Cynthia Cox, Rachel Garfield, Liz Hamel, Cailey Muñana, and Priya Chidambaram, The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use, KFF, April 21, 2020. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/

How to Raise Children With Healthy Self-Esteem

Interview with Dr. Colleen Cira:

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist a trauma and anxiety expert, clinical supervisor, writer, speaker, consultant, and activist. She has been published numerously offering practical advice and tips to those seeking self-help.

Talking Points from Dr. Cira on
Raising Kids With Healthy Self-Esteem:

I’ve worked with hundreds of people struggling with childhoods that they need to recover from and therefore, low self-esteem.  I am one of these folks as well so I have a unique perspective, and a lot to say, about this particular issue. Break the cycle of low self-esteem with these constructive strategies.

How do we raise kids with healthy self-esteem? 

Hate Your Life? How to Cope When You’re Feeling Discouraged

Interview with Dr. Colleen Cira:

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, and has worked with hundreds of people struggling with mental health issues.

Talking Points from Dr. Cira
On How to Cope When You’re Feeling Discouraged:

 

Why People Hate (Or Believe They Hate) Their Lives 

There are so many reasons for this. A history of childhood adversity, toxic stress and/or trauma, a difficult season in their life, a genetic predisposition to experience mood disturbance, experiencing microaggressions, marginalization or oppression due to racism, patriarchy, sexism, or homophobia. The list goes on and on and on.  

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When You’re Just Feeling “Okay”: How to Cope When Life Feels Dull

Interview: Dr. Colleen Cira, Psy.D. on great advice for people who don’t feel excited about their lives.

The feeling of being “okay” or hitting a plateau in your life is something that everyone experiences, but can be taken any number of different ways, but it typically goes in a really positive direction or a more negative one. If folks are able to be more in the moment and accept the plateau for what it is (likely temporary, possibly a break from chaos/drama/business, etc), then it has the potential to be really enjoyable.

Quiet moments in your life can turn into something more exciting and positive

Why Women Aren’t Taking Their Antidepressants

Interview: Dr. Colleen Cira, Psy.D. on the issues surrounding women and antidepressants.

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, so I’ve worked with hundreds of people struggling with depression and the medications that sometimes go along with it. Sometimes women have reservations about antidepressants and this prevents them from taking them regularly and as prescribed by their doctors. There are a few reasons for this:

1) There is still an enormous stigma when it comes to mental health. So someone who has taken the time to find a psychiatrist, make the appointment, go in for the intake and fill their prescription is doing a great job and is ahead of the curve!! AND they are still not immune from feeling that stigma that so many of us do when we acknowledge that we’re struggling with our mental health. So actually taking that pill might make a person, especially a woman, feel “crazy” which might get in the way of taking the medication.

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The 5 Causes of Depression and Actionable Advice

Interview: Dr. Colleen Cira, Psy.D. on The Causes of Depression.

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, so I’ve worked with hundreds of people struggling with Depression. There can be several causes of depression with some accompanying ways to cope with this condition.

Here are some talking points for an interview exploring The Causes of Depression:

  1. Genetic/Chemical: Some of us have a genetic predisposition toward depression due to our family history (yay, genes!) which can make everything seem a little harder especially when you’re in college and have so many new things to figure out.

In this case, research is very clear that therapy and medication are the best ways to manage depression when it seems clear that there is a genetic and/or chemical component. Research has also proven that both exercise and meditation can also be incredibly helpful (possibly just as helpful if not more than medication) as they both directly address the chemical component of depression for the better.

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Suffering From Summertime Blues? 6 Strategies to Feel Happier

Interview: Dr. Colleen Cira, Psy.D.

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Cira Center for Behavioral Health, PC. She is an anxiety and trauma expert as well as a consultant, supervisor, speaker, writer and advocate.

Talking points for an interview on summer depression:


For people who are vulnerable to depression, summer can make people feel better (sunshine! fun plans! vacations!) BUT Summer can also sometimes make people feel worse, especially if they are comparing themselves to others who seem to be living their best life during these warm weather months.

Continue reading “Suffering From Summertime Blues? 6 Strategies to Feel Happier”