Affiliated Psychological Services

11/06/2023

Unmissable senior center of the week...

02/13/2023

Times are difficult. https://z1077fm.com/grocery-store-gift-card-distribution-tomorrow-feb-14/

02/08/2023

01/28/2023

Just a little humor from your local mental health providers :)

01/26/2023

January is ALSO National Poverty in America Awareness Month.

See the press release from the CDC below for more information.

Highlights
Official Poverty Measure
• The official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. Neither the rate nor the number in poverty was significantly different from 2020 (Figure 1 and Table A-1).
• Official poverty rates decreased for people under the age of 18 and increased for people 65 years and older, but were not statistically different for 18- to 64-year-olds (Figure 2 and Table A-1).
• The majority of the demographic groups discussed in this report did not experience significant changes in their poverty rates between 2020 and 2021 (Figure 2 and Tables A-1 and A-2).
Supplemental Poverty Measure
• The SPM rate in 2021 was 7.8 percent, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points from 2020. This is the lowest SPM poverty rate since estimates were first published and the third consecutive decline (Figure 4 and Table B-2).
• The SPM child poverty rate fell 46 percent in 2021, from 9.7 percent in 2020 to 5.2 percent in 2021, a 4.5 percentage-point decline.
When so many are struggling financially, things like mental health care often suffer. If you are in need of counseling support, most insurance and employee assistance programs (EAP) have mental health coverage. Call your insurance or our office if you would like to discuss your options.

The Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement reports the official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6%, not statistically different from 2020.

01/26/2023

January is ALSO National Poverty in America Awareness Month.

See the press release from the CDC below for more information.

Highlights
Official Poverty Measure
• The official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. Neither the rate nor the number in poverty was significantly different from 2020 (Figure 1 and Table A-1).
• Official poverty rates decreased for people under the age of 18 and increased for people 65 years and older, but were not statistically different for 18- to 64-year-olds (Figure 2 and Table A-1).
• The majority of the demographic groups discussed in this report did not experience significant changes in their poverty rates between 2020 and 2021 (Figure 2 and Tables A-1 and A-2).
Supplemental Poverty Measure
• The SPM rate in 2021 was 7.8 percent, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points from 2020. This is the lowest SPM poverty rate since estimates were first published and the third consecutive decline (Figure 4 and Table B-2).
• The SPM child poverty rate fell 46 percent in 2021, from 9.7 percent in 2020 to 5.2 percent in 2021, a 4.5 percentage-point decline.
When so many are struggling financially, things like mental health care often suffer. If you are in need of counseling support, most insurance and employee assistance programs (EAP) have mental health coverage. Call your insurance or our office if you would like to discuss your options.

01/24/2023

01/17/2023

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Last year, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued an apology to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) for its role in the support of structural racism. It is fitting that we review this article in celebration of Dr. King’s life, legacy, and contributions to society.

European and especially American psychiatry has deep roots in the racism and discrimination common during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The tone, language, and discriminatory practices went on for many decades. These early practices have created a foundation that we must be aware of and work to dismantle.

Today, the APA has adopted a Resolution on Racism: Harnessing Psychology to Combat Racism: Adopting a Uniform Definition and Understanding. The APA has dedicated efforts in knowledge production, health, APA/workforce, training of psychologists, and education. Here are the priority actions in the health realm:
• Disseminate and promote the use of race-conscious, trauma informed mental health
information with community stakeholders including, but not limited to frontline workers,
grassroots community organizations, and advocates.
• Advocate with federal research funding agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, HRSA, PCORI) and private
foundations for dedicated, sustained, and increased funding for research on community-driven
holistic, whole person care.
• Influence curriculum development to incorporate qualitative, participatory, and socially
engaged research, concepts of liberation psychology, systemic racism, and population health
into the psychology curriculum across all levels of training.
• Promote education and training to improve literacy, knowledge, and awareness of systemic
racism among healthcare professionals, as well as their responsiveness to structural racism.
• Elevate the value of community-engagement by cultivating partnerships and coalitions with
community-based organizations, professional organizations, and policymaking organizations
to address health inequities in communities of color.
Social Impact and Innovation: Support the development and expansion of models for
integrating racially conscious psychological practice in communities of color

For a detailed timeline of the APA and its efforts to reduce discrimination going forward, see the article here: https://www.apa.org/about/apa/addressing-racism/historical-chronology.

We hope our BIPOC friends and family have a relaxing and reflective day off.

01/08/2023

Today I am sharing another excellent resource for healthy mental wellbeing. This one is specifically for the state of California. Take Action is a campaign that supports the positive mental health of Californians, su***de prevention, and removing the stigma of mental health and treatment.

You can check out their website to see all of the resources, including taking the pledge to help end the stigma.

https://takeaction4mh.com/about-us/

01/06/2023

Today we wanted to share the journey_to_wellness resources by Becks. You can find classes, e-courses, coaching, tangible kits, and even a free anxiety e-book to help with your overall wellness. The Instagram page has really cute graphics and coping cards, too!

Let us know what you think.

https://www.journeytowellness.online/

01/06/2023

Happy National Bird Day & Adopt A Rescue Bird Month!

Pets and animals bring enormous benefits to the wellbeing of their human counterparts. From having a bird as a pet, to bird watching, to listening to birds in soundscapes, birds can positively impact our mental health. Living in an area with birds can decrease anxiety, depression, and stress, and living with a pet bird can reduce loneliness. In a recent study, published in 2022, Hammound et al. found that people who saw or heard birds in their daily life reported significantly better mental wellbeing than those who did not, especially if this was outdoors.

Do you have or have you had a bird? Do you enjoy birdwatching as a hobby? Let us know in the comments! 😊

January has also been deemed “Adopt A Rescued Bird Month”. When seeking out animal companions, birds are often overlooked, but can be great friends and pet partners for the right person. Because dogs and cats are much more likely to be adopted from a shelter, thousands of rescued birds go unnoticed and have trouble finding their own loving homes.

If you are interested in adopting a bird, see this article: https://www.petfinder.com/blog/2015/01/january-is-adopt-a-rescued-bird-month/.

For the benefits of birds, see this post in the New York Times: https://time.com/6231886/birdwatching-mental-health/

01/04/2023

Hello There!

We are officially four days into 2023 and most of us are getting back into the routine of work and school and responsibilities. You’ve probably set some resolutions or general goals and have been working toward making those new habits. That’s great!

What keeps you motivated? Are you more externally or intrinsically motivated, or a mix of both? Use that to keep yourself on track.

If you are externally motivated, reinforcement comes from avoiding negative outcomes and receiving rewards. This type of motivation and reward system is helpful in completing tasks that are unpleasant or boring, when learning something new, or when feedback is needed. It is useful with work tasks, too. However, some studies have shown that if an activity is already intrinsically rewarding, offering an additional tangible or external reward lessens motivation. Think about when you clean up the kitchen and feel intrinsically rewarded for completing the task- you are almost finished- and then someone comments on your cleaning efforts (external). Does it take the wind out of your sails?

Intrinsically motivated people do things because of how it makes them feel- a sense of accomplishment, pride, etc. Intrinsic motivators are reinforced through self-reflection, journaling, and documenting your progress. Think of how it feels when you can cross something off your to-do list.

Social motivation is also a good way to stay on track with new goals. Humans are social creatures. If you join a group or have an accountability buddy, you are much more likely to achieve your goals. People also learn better in groups, so if one of your goals is to learn something new, try doing so in a group setting!

Are you more intrinsically or externally motivated? What has helped you reach goals in the past?

For more information about external vs. intrinsic rewards, including a podcast and useful tips, see the article at https://www.verywellmind.com/differences-between-extrinsic-and-intrinsic-motivation-2795384.

Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation can impact behavior in different ways. Learn the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.