Plant Yourself: How Gardening Helps Your Mental Health
By: Jim McCarron; Progress Valley Mental Health Clinic intern and the newest Clinical Support Specialist at our PV4 location in Roseville, MN. You don’t need to be a plant expert or have a big backyard to feel the benefits. Even caring for a few houseplants or growing herbs on your windowsill can help your mind and mood. In fact, science shows that gardening is good …
Spring Forward: Navigating Daylight Saving Time and Mental Health
By: Amber Michalski, MA LPCC LADC: Senior Director of Operations The weather is changing, and many Minnesotans couldn't be more thrilled. With the change comes more daylight and more opportunities to get outside. However, there is one part of this time of year I always dread (besides all the muddy paw prints from having two dogs): Daylight Saving Time. The one hour of sleep we …
Playful Life
By: Sarah Collins MA – Mental Health Therapist with the Progress Valley Mental Health Clinic Often, we discuss our mental health as a teeter-totter or perhaps a roller coaster. Yet, when was the last time you took part in such fun or merriment as a swing, a teeter-totter, or a playful time outside? For that matter, when was the last time you simply lost yourself …
The Holidays on Your Own Terms: Practicing Self-Compassion and Finding Balance
The holidays are often seen as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, they can also bring a complex mix of stress, pressure, and isolation. Between the rush of shopping, the endless social events, and the expectations of 'perfect' celebrations, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or out of balance this December, …
Holidays and Mental Health: A Double-Edged Sword
Tis the season to be jolly? While the holiday season is often filled with joy, festivities, and togetherness, it’s also a time when many people experience heightened stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. As we deck the halls, bake cookies, light candles, and spend time with family, we may not immediately notice the impact the holidays can have on our mental well-being. According to …
Importance of Training in Mental Health
By: Shelly Bohmert MA LADC LPCC Training involves the process of teaching or cultivating skills, knowledge, or competencies through instruction, practice, or experience. Throughout our lives and careers, we engage in training in numerous ways and settings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and sports. Ultimately, training enhances our performance and helps us reach our goals. Why is training especially vital in the field of Mental Health? …
Embracing October: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Finding Light in the Dark
By: Shelly Bohmert, MA LADC LPCC, Director of Mental Health at Progress Valley October brings ghouls, pumpkin patches, vibrant fall colors, and the start of spooky season. For us in Minnesota, it also signals a transition from summer sunshine to the crispness of fall. We get to enjoy the stunning colors of the leaves—nothing beats the autumn hues of Northern Minnesota! However, we also brace …
September: Suicide Awareness
September is commonly associated with the start of fall, back-to-school season, the return of pumpkin spice, visits to apple orchards, and the opening of pumpkin patches. However, it is also recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. Discussing suicide can be uncomfortable because the topic often evokes distressing thoughts and images. However, it is crucial to change our perspective on suicide—encompassing suicidal thoughts and ideation—in order to …
August: The Month of Wellness
When we think of the word "wellness," our minds often jump to physical health—avoiding illness or pain. However, we tend to overlook mental and emotional wellness, which can have an even greater impact on our overall well-being than just physical health alone. So what exactly does wellness entail? Wellness, according to the Global Wellness Institute, is defined as "the active pursuit of activities, choices, and …
Launch of the Progress Valley Independent Mental Health Clinic
July 2024 By: Shelly Bohmert, MA LADC LPCC: Director of Mental Health at Progress Valley Exciting news – June bought about the official launch of the Progress Valley independent Mental Health Clinic. While the mental health clinic has been operating prior to June, this summer and fall will be a time of growth, exciting change and more possibilities for the clinic! Our mental health clinic …
