The first episode of mood disorders like bipolar illness and major depressive disorder typically occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. However many adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s or older begin to struggle with depression in new ways as an older adult. Medical problems and the losses we experience as we age can affect how we view ourselves and how we relate to…
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Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the Unites States. Every year, more than 44,000 Americans die by suicide. While there is no “one size fits all” treatment for someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, evidence shows that protective factors can help lessen the likelihood of suicide among adults. At Skyland Trail, clients learn to identify…
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Music therapy is one of the adjunctive therapies offered at Skyland Trail. Each week clients in our residential and day treatment programs have the opportunity to participate in music therapy. During these groups, clients use breathing and rhythm exercises to encourage expression of emotion through activities such as drumming and guided imagery. Clients also have opportunities…
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1. Get involved on campus. Even if you commute to school, make connections with other students. You could join (or start!) a study group with other commuters in a class, or join a student organization. These connections can be very meaningful across the course of your life. If you have a mental health diagnosis, consider…
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Criticism can trigger psychiatric symptoms for some individuals who interpret feedback in unhealthy ways. How we handle criticism may affect our relationships with others, our self-esteem, and our opportunities for personal growth. At Skyland Trail, we help clients discover a new perspective and develop new skills to respond to criticism with a more healthy, productive…
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From time to time, we all experience black-and-white thinking or fall into an all-or-nothing frame of mind. For some people, a pattern of black-and-white thinking over time may reinforce a recurring automatic negative thought – “I can’t do anything right” – to the point that it becomes a permanent negative core belief – “I am…
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People who have a strong support system of family and friends are more likely to stay healthy and successfully manage their illnesses long term. Just showing your love and letting your loved one know that she matters to you and many others in the community can go a long way. You can also take a…
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1. You don’t have to be sick. The journey of self-awareness and self-exploration is lifelong, and is beneficial for anyone. Therapy can deepen this experience and bring about the insight to improve relationships and overall well-being. 2. Therapy will not “fix you.” You are not broken. The purpose of therapy is to help you…
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be very effective in reducing anxiety to a manageable level. Check out these tips. 1. Evaluate Distorted Thinking Our thinking influences our anxiety more than we realize. When experiencing anxiety, look for these skewed thinking patterns: seeing situations in all or nothing terms (dichotomous thinking), only viewing what could potentially…
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Horticultural therapy is a unique part of the recovery experience at Skyland Trail. Clients work with our expert horticultural therapist in our greenhouse and in the many gardens on our campuses to use nature as a tool for growth. Unique hands-on projects in each season help clients reconnect with a sense of purpose and wonder…
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