Health Tips

Part 2 (part 1 here) written by by Grant F. Sontag I began a suicide note which I worked on constantly until I had what I would call a nervous breakdown (now called a �major depressive episode.�). I began to shake and a thin, plaintiff wail began to well up inside me. With my cousin Jane rubbing my back to soothe me, I called my psychiatrist at University Hospitals. Dr. Ito listened

Written by Kirk Moore �How about we stop blaming the victims?� Emma Gonzalez, survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Mental Illness affects more than 70 million people in the United States. But of all the violent acts committed in this country, only 4 to 5% are attributable to people with mental illness. People with serious mental health problems are 12 times

written by Grant F. Sontag Part 1 (part 2 here) In 1996, while living and working in Cleveland, Ohio, I was diagnosed with a carotid body tumor - a rare, usually benign growth almost always occurring in men over forty. I was forty one at the time. The otolaryngologist, Dr. Harvey, explained that the risks of cutting along the artery wall were �stroke,

written by Karl Shallowhorn "For when a few years are past, I shall go the way of no return.� Job 16:22 This past Wednesday I celebrated 30 years clean. 30 years of not using alcohol or any illicit drugs. The years prior to this time were fueled by substance abuse that was accompanied by a co-occurring mental health disorder. It was during this time that I felt disconnected from God,

written by Hannah Campbell Gustafson I remember vividly the fall that I began graduate school at the University of Chicago, walking around campus and feeling completely and totally invisible. It was an awful feeling. Now, I�m aware that some of this is because I went to a college with around 2000 students, so walking around campus I would recognize almost everyone, and know and greet many

written by by Amy Petr� Hill January is a magical month here in Colorado. Snow glistens on the top of the mountains and most trees sleep deeply, readying themselves to burst into color come spring, while the evergreens stand silent watch. For me, January brings a new personal journal and the happiness that comes with touching clean, crisp pages awaiting my ideas and experiences in the coming

written by Kirk Moore Did you make any New Year�s Resolutions? After a day or two, how are things going? Resolutions, goals, challenges, and dreams aren�t limited to once a year. Things don't have to be "resolved." There doesn't have to be a mandate. What if instead of a list of "musts," every day I simply decided to Be mindful of how I�m feeling. Be mindful of my surroundings. Be