Sentry Insurance is donating an additional $1 million to the Maui United Way to support youth mental health services on the island of Maui, Hawaii. This contribution builds on the Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki initiative, which provides mental health counseling to children in schools, parks and community centers where they feel most comfortable. The initiative was announced ahead of the Sentry PGA TOUR tournament at Kapalua from January 2-5, 2025.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sentry-donates-additional-1-million-to-maui-united-way-for-youth-mental-health-support-302340698.htmlLindsay Walter, a behavioral health professional with St. Peter's Health, notes that New Year's resolutions often fail due to the difficulty in forming new habits. Research suggests it can take up to 21 days for people to adjust to something new, but Walter believes this timeframe is likely longer and emphasizes the importance of consistency and not giving up. To increase success rates, Walter recommends breaking down larger goals into smaller, more achievable tasks.
https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-news/montanans-share-new-year-resolutions-as-2024-wraps-upDubai-based experts Bruna Moubarak and Anne Jackson are advocating for a more realistic approach to setting New Year's resolutions. Instead of aiming for major life goals, they recommend starting small by breaking down objectives into achievable tasks that can be completed daily or weekly. This approach is said to improve mental well-being by fostering a sense of accomplishment and control, boosting confidence and motivation, and building resilience over time. Examples of small, achievable goals include drinking an extra glass of water daily, reading for 10 minutes each night, and practising gratitude for five minutes each morning. Experts suggest that even minor accomplishments can boost self-confidence and motivate further progress, and that setbacks should be reframed as opportunities for growth rather than feelings of failure.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/setting-new-years-resolutions-uae-experts-recommend-small-steps-for-lasting-resultsSave the Children estimates that around 6.4 million children in Syria are in need of psychological help due to traumatic experiences such as losing a parent, sibling or friend, and living under strict Western sanctions imposed on the country by the US and European Union since the early stages of the war. The sanctions have limited resources for aid organizations like Save the Children, making it difficult to respond to needs and reach those in need, according to Muhrez.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/more-than-half-of-syrian-children-out-of-school-save-the-children-to-afp/article_0c0e7f5b-f204-56c0-911f-1095886d67e5.htmlThe Winfield Township board is being established to oversee mental health services, including building and maintaining facilities and contracting with service providers. The board members, who must reside in Winfield Township, will serve four-year terms and are responsible for supporting the enhancement, maintenance, and restoration of mental health. To apply, prospective members should submit a resume and statement explaining their interest in serving to Nancy Prater at nprater@WinfieldTownship.com.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20241231/news/winfield-township-seeks-mental-health-board-members/The University of Michigan is launching a new program to provide mental health and substance use services to its students. The program will cover costs not covered by Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Aetna PPO plans, including co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. The services will be available year-round, including during winter and summer breaks, unlike the previous program which was only available during the academic year.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20241230/news/profound-impact-opiod-settlement-funds-to-enable-counseling-at-buffalo-grove-high-school/The diagnosis of autism has undergone a significant change in recent years, with the introduction of Autism Spectrum Disorder as an umbrella term to replace previous diagnoses such as Asperger's syndrome, autistic disorder, Kanner's syndrome, childhood autism, atypical autism and pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Despite this shift, treatment options for adults with autism remain varied and tailored to individual needs. Psychotherapy and counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training, and occupational therapy are among the approaches used to address specific challenges faced by individuals on the spectrum.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14167135/Psychologist-reveals-common-traits-autistic.htmlIn Gaza, women like Hamami are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of the war. The conflict, sparked by Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel that killed over 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others, has left many civilians without access to basic necessities. In a crowded tent shared with 13 family members, including her 8-month-old son Ahmed, Hamami is overwhelmed with caring for her children, laundry, cooking, and waiting in line for water, leaving little time for self-care.
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-women-privacy-displacement-israel-war-ede380202c4464af34bfe3892f28ae9aThe Nachal Haredi organization has emerged as a source of support for ultra-Orthodox soldiers in Israel, addressing the mental health challenges they face after military service. Founded over three decades ago, the organization aimed to help integrate Haredim into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which posed significant cultural and religious challenges due to their insular community's limited familiarity with military life and daily routines that conflicted with army protocols.
https://www.jpost.com/special-content/addressing-post-traumatic-stress-in-lone-soldiers-the-critical-mission-of-nahal-haredi-834977