Asking for reviews is a normal thing for most businesses these days. But what about medical offices? Do you think it's normal for us to ask? Should it be?
At SMHWI, we believe that it is. The reason? Because we NEED to know how our patients feel about their experiences. We are here to make a difference in their lives and one of the ways that we can do that is by listening to what they have to say.
Amy says:
Dr. Abdallah and his staff are phenomenal. The girls in the front office are so sweet, accommodating, and efficient. Dr. Abdallah?! There isn’t enough room here to say how amazing he is and how he has pretty much saved & changed my life!
Each day, we continue to strive to make sure that our patients receive the best care. So if you are in need of mental health care services, we would be honored to serve you.
For some, this week marked the return of in-person schooling, for others, the distance learning journey continues.
Regardless of where your family falls, most of us will agree that making these decisions and managing your child's education on top of juggling everything else that COVID-19 has brought has created even more stress.
Check out today's blog with some tips to help your family navigate the unfamiliar territory of education in 2020.
SMHWI.COM
| Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
Growth is one of the most difficult and oftentimes painful processes that we as humans face.
But it is also one of the most valuable and necessary for us to reach our full potential.
This year has challenged us all in ways that we never expected.
What lessons and areas of growth are you taking from this year as we look toward the next?
Nineteen years ago our country experienced loss like many of us had not seen before.
We stood with mouths open as we saw the images of the twin towers collapsing in complete disbelief.
Our hearts ached as we saw the devastation and loss of so many lives.
And as a country, we banded together to provide aid, offer support, and to cheer on the brave men and women who responded to the crisis and sacrificed their own lives to save others.
No matter how many years pass, we will never forget that day.
This school year can feel overwhelming. It is uncharted territory trying to decide what’s best for you and your children when it comes to their education.
How can Pandemic home school build a bond with parent-child relations? Psychology Today has some good tips on how to make the most of this school year.
PSYCHOLOGYTODAY.COM
Pandemic Home School: Builds or Busts Parent/Child Relations
Happy Labor Day! We hope that you all enjoy the day!
When the lockdowns started this year, people joked about too much time with a spouse leading to more kids or to divorce.
Unfortunately, those jokes have turned into reality, at least for divorces.
According to Psychology Today, divorce rates have soared by a whopping 34% this summer in comparison to last year.
But that doesn't have to be the outcome of your marriage. While this year has been incredibly difficult for marriages, we can help.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified therapists who can help you and your spouse navigate through this season, together.
Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
At SMHWI, we are proud to be part of the worldwide effort to bring awareness to mental health and to be part of the resources available for those who are in need of treatment.
If you are someone who is struggling, you are NOT alone. The data suggests that over 980 million people manage mental illnesses every single day. We are here for you.
This month is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month and for many people, this topic is particularly painful. In fact, thousands of families experience this devastating loss every year so today we want to talk a little bit about how to navigate the grief journey.
One of the biggest challenges that grief brings in the feeling of loneliness and isolation. So to help with that, we suggest that parents look for support groups either in person or virtually in their community. Many non-profits make these groups available and there is also a significant amount of online social media groups that parents can join.
Another way to work through the feeling of isolation is to reach out to a professional who can provide you with a safe space to share your feelings and work through your grief.
Lastly, creating ways that you can remember your child, whether that is through an annual activity, a memorial or even an event or charity in their name helps many parents to feel more connected to others on this journey.
Happy Teachers Day!
Regardless of who you plan to vote for this year, chances are that you are feeling some level of frustration, overwhelm or anxiety. While social media has become a norm in our society, it also means that we are bombarded with political messages from family, friends and the media all day long and often times the language is filled with negativity.
But that isn't the only way to engage.
Instead, we want to introduce you to the concept of enlightened engagement.
Read the article from Psychology Today to learn more about what it is and how you can practice a more peaceful dialogue through the remainder of this political season.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/buddhist-psychology-east-meets-west/202010/enlightened-engagement
It’s Election Day and we know that people are anxious, stressed and fearful.
It’s been a hard year and a very tough election season.
We are all feeling the tension.
But today we want to remind you to take a breath, stay focused on the good and reach out to the people who love you for support.
And if you need additional resources, we are only a phone call away.
We hope you have a spooktacular day!
At SMHWI, we are passionate about contributing to our community. This month, we are working with the Vista Del Camino Food Bank to collect food for families in need this holiday season. Some of the items that have been requested are:
Stuffing Mix
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Boxed Mashed Potatoes
Canned Gravy
Canned Corn
Canned Green Beans
Canned Cranberry Sauce
Chicken Broth
$25 Grocery Store Gift Cards
If you would like to help us make a difference this year, please drop your donations by the office between 8am and 5pm.
Trauma impacts the brain. We know this to be true.
Life experiences like a car accident, a death in the family, abuse, a natural disaster, or a global pandemic can all be traumatic and create emotional and physical distress for those experiencing them, especially for people who already suffer from mental health challenges.
But how can you identify whether or not you are suffering from trauma? And then what?
Read this article from Psychology Today that lists the different indicators that you may be suffering from trauma.
And for help dealing with it, SMHWI has a team of experts who are ready and able to help you navigate through whatever difficulty you are facing.
PSYCHOLOGYTODAY.COM
How to Identify and Find Help for Trauma
The holidays are fast approaching and although some people are looking forward to the season, for others, the holidays are a challenging time.
Holiday depression is a common issue for people and after such an unprecedented year filled with changes and loss, we know that it may be especially triggering this year.
Read our latest blog for our expert advice on how to navigate this season.
SMHWI.COM
Holiday Depression | Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
Last year was a challenge in many ways and although we have welcomed a new year, many of those challenges remain. After the events in the capital yesterday, tensions are high and we are here to help if you are feeling stressed or anxious. Please do not hesitate to reach out and speak with one of our qualified and caring providers.
It's the first Monday of the New Year and for many of us, that means back to work and back to school and "normal life". It can be a tough transition to make after the excitement and anticipation of the holidays and can leave you feeling a little unmotivated. So today we want to encourage you to jump-start your week with a few tips on how to break out of the post-holiday funk!
Take care of yourself. Quality sleep, regular exercise, and a nutrient-dense diet—these healthy lifestyle cornerstones are recommended by experts to boost mood and manage depression symptoms. Between late-night festivities, sugary snacks, and long to-do lists, these practices often fall to the wayside during the holiday season. Re-establishing them as a regular and non-negotiable fixture in your routine is essential for getting back on track if you’re struggling emotionally.
Schedule time for fun. Social interaction is a critical component of enhanced well-being. Now that the holiday parties have petered out, an empty calendar might feel a bit depressing. Filling up your planner with activities you enjoy will give you something to look forward to and help keep the contrast effect at bay. It’s easy to withdraw when you’re feeling down. Reaching out to and getting face time in with friends and other people you care about—even when you don’t feel like it—can also provide a much-needed boost.
Be patient and go easy on yourself. Post-holiday blues won’t stick around forever. In the meantime, cut yourself some slack. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling the way you do and take the time you need to find your footing. If symptoms do persist, SMHWI has a team of experts who can help you with next steps!
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
As we begin the final week of 2020, many of us are having mixed feelings about the upcoming year. Usually, we have very high hopes for a new year but 2021 may be feeling like an extension of 2020 for some. So today we thought that this article from Counseling Today that talks about how to turn your emotions into positive actions would be a great way to kick off the week and get us into a positive space as we get ready to celebrate the new year!
CT.COUNSELING.ORG
Turning your emotions into positive actions: A psychological approach to COVID-19 challenges - Counseling Today
Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!
The holidays can be a magical time filled with joy. They can also be very stressful. From managing expectations and juggling plans to dealing with the loss of a loved one or financial concerns, there are a variety of factors that come with the holidays that can make this time of year a challenging one. Today, our Clinical Director, Cory Groman is here to talk about how to manage that stress and make the most out of the holiday season.
SMHWI.COM
Dealing with Stress During the Holidays
Scottsdale Mental Health & Wellness Institute would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day from our entire team. #smhwi #mentalhealth
“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.” French philosopher, Michel de Montaigne, wrote these words in an essay more than four-hundred years ago. Despite all the innovation in our world since then, one thing that hasn’t changed is the human brain’s fixation on hypothetical stressors. Recent studies show that as much as 85% of what we stress about never comes to pass. Read More: https://www.smhwi.com/stress-build-up-and-how-to-stop-it/
SMHWI.COM
Stress Build-up and How to STOP it | Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
We would like to recognize Dr. Bahar Altaha, Dr. Elena Volfson, Dr. Lauren T. Bonner, Dr. Regan O’Brien, and Dr. Fariba Pfitzger, on National Women Physicians Day and thank them for their incredible work and dedication to the patients we serve at our practice. https://www.smhwi.com/our-staff/
SMHWI.COM
Our Staff | Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
When someone goes to the doctor and says, “I hear a voice in my head,” he or she will most likely be sent to a psychiatrist. Sometimes this is truly the need that exists due to an underlying and significant condition but all of us hear ourselves talk to ourselves in our internal dialogue. https://www.smhwi.com/what-do-you-hear-yourself-trying-to-tell-yourself/
SMHWI.COM
What Do You Hear Yourself Trying to Tell Yourself? | Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
Stop Trying to Manage the Unmanageable: We need to stop making mental health our enemy. It isn’t something that we have to fight with and push against every day. It’s that exact battle, the battle to control our mental illness, that gets in our way of living our lives and connecting with others. Read More: https://www.smhwi.com/stop-trying-to-manage-the-unmanageable/
SMHWI.COM
Stop Trying to Manage the Unmanageable | Scottsdale Mental Health and Wellness Institute
Are you aware, this week is National Medical Group Practice Week? SMHWI would like to thank all the medical practices in our area for their continued dedication and for the quality care they provide their patients. We are always learning new best practices from our colleagues and we will continue to offer customized mental health services which will support your patients. We look forward to supporting you in the future. #smhwi #mentalhealth #medicalpractice Learn more: www.smhwi.com
