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By Kozi Arrington and Alejandro Ramos
Why is women’s History Month so important? The contributions of women through the years have often gone unappreciated and forgotten. Women’s History Month, which takes place every year in March, is a time for reflection, appreciation, and celebration. Women’s History Month is a time for us to recognize contributions both large and small that have changed women’s lives for the better. In honor of this month, we want to highlight women that have left their mark on history. Photo by Filip Mishevski on Unsplash
By Leah Harris We live in a time of rapid, shocking, and sometimes traumatic change. Vicarious trauma, sometimes known as secondary trauma, is real. Trauma is closely connected to the sensation of overwhelm, which can generate fear and anxiety. People can be deeply affected by traumatic or violent information and media they are exposed to, even if it isn’t happening directly to them. Shining a light on the Black Wellness and Resilience Support Group at PEERS
By Alejandro Ramos With Black History Month coming to a close, it’s important we remember to uplift and celebrate Black people all year round. By Alejandro Ramos
Religion and spirituality can be powerful tools for mental health wellness. They offer us a way of understanding what we’re going through and have faith that things will get better. What if the main practitioners and leaders of your faith-based institution aren’t open to discussing mental health challenges? That can be ostracizing, and that’s what PEERS’ Hope & Faith Campaign is looking to address. We’re happy to announce the addition of Louise Franklin to our team. Louise is joining us as Interim Executive Director. Here is a little bit about her, her experience, and her goals for our organization, in her own words:
Greetings! I am happy and most honored to be able to introduce myself to you as PEERS’ new Interim Executive Director! As I write this, I am starting my third week at PEERS but already I feel truly privileged to be a part of this organization. I am so impressed by the level of commitment, professionalism and care demonstrated by both the staff and the board of directors. We invite you to join Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery (PEERS) as we actively seek new members for our Board of Directors.
PEERS is a diverse community of people with mental health experiences. We envision a world where people can freely choose among many mental health options that address the needs of the whole person. PEERS confronts mental health stigma by delivering support groups, workshops, and community outreach. We are the premier peer-led mental health alternative for Alameda County residents. By Leah Harris
According to the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), the theme for Black History Month 2022 will focus on the extensive historical contributions of Black health and wellness practitioners, both in Western medicine and “other ways of knowing throughout the African diaspora,” such as midwives, herbalists, and healers. ASALH defines Black health and wellness to include “activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.” Hello everybody. It’s Kozi, Programs Outreach Coordinator for Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services, aka PEERS. Happy New Year! So, tell me, do you still have all the wrapping paper, boxes, and stuffing that your Christmas presents came wrapped in? Is there a reason that you haven’t gotten rid of it? What are you waiting for?
By Leah Harris
New Year’s has always symbolized so much: a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to recommit ourselves to what matters most. But with another pandemic winter and all the layers of uncertainty added by a new variant, the start of this new year may be lacking in its traditional celebratory, anticipatory vibe. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone: according to a recent American Psychiatric Association poll, 1 in 5 respondents said they were more stressed about the approach of 2022 than they were about 2021. If it feels extra hard to make plans, let alone set goals this year, here are some simple skills for navigating the uncertainty. |