October is bullying awareness month and Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is taking this opportunity to get the word out about ways to prevent and respond to bullying. This year, in conjunction with Seminole Sheriff’s Department and Seminole County Public Schools, we are focusing the spotlight on cyber-bullying. Throughout the month we will be posting news about community events, downloadable resources, and tips for keeping your child safe.

Cyber-bullying involves the use of technology such as cell phones, computers, and social media websites (such as Facebook) to threaten or humiliate others. This can be a particularly difficult situation for parents to monitor and respond to, as technology is becoming more complicated and our children are often more sophisticated in its use than we are.

We would like for you to consider Seminole Behavioral Healthcare to be an important resource for you and your family. Feel free to contact us at any time by calling (407) 321-HELP or visiting this website.

What is Cyberbullying and Cyberharassment? Download this presentation to learn more.

Cyberbullying: How Should Parents React? Recent news articles have made us all aware of the possibility that our children may be exposed to cyberbullying. Most parents know that they should monitor their children’s activity on the internet and talk to their children about what is going on in their lives. But what if you discover if something IS going on? What should a parent do then?

Family Contract for Online Safety – Internet access and electronic devices are becoming more of a necessity for both parents and for children. Discuss the use of these devices with your family and agree on safe ways to use them.

Ellen Degeneres speaks out about bullying on her television show.

Is your child being bullied? Is your child a bully? Are you concerned about cyberbullying? The 5 Essential Bullying Statistics Every Parent Should Know

Problem gambling is an issue that does not seem to receive a lot of recognition in the mental health world. To understand problem gambling we should first clarify what gambling is. Gambling is placing a bet on an uncertain outcome. Some individuals are social gamblers and are able to place a bet without feeling compelled to place more and more bets for more and more money. Social gamblers are able to go to a casino or bingo hall (for example), place a bet that is reasonable and within their budget to lose, and leave regardless of the outcome. For some people, gambling becomes a problem. Gambling is sometimes called the hidden addiction because you can’t tell if someone is “using.” People gamble for 2 main reasons: action and escape. For some people, the thrill of gambling is very addictive and hard to quit. For others, gambling serves as a means of escape from a world where their problems await them. Problem gambling has the potential to ruin the life of the gambler as well as those he or she holds dear. Problem gambling can sometimes lead to criminal activity, loss of assets, and broken homes. Furthermore, problem gambling has a higher rate of suicide than any other addiction.

How do you know if you have a problem with gambling? There are a few different tools used to determine if you have a problem with gambling. One of the most popular tools is the SOGS or South Oaks Gambling Screening. This tool asks questions such as “Have you ever lost time from work (or school) due to betting or gambling?” or “What is the largest amount of money you have ever gambled with on any one day?” For decades this tool has been used by counselors to assess for potential gambling problems. If gambling is a problem for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Discuss your options with a counselor today.

 1-888-ADMIT-IT is Florida’s Helpline for problem gamblers and their loved ones.

Now that summer is here,  have you finished all of your spring cleaning?  Washed the windows, vacuumed the rugs, cleaned behind the refrigerator?  Have you ever though that maybe your life needs some spring cleaning too?  Often we think of physical cleaning such as maintaining a home, washing clothes, or maybe cleaning and washing your car.  There is also an importance to emotional cleaning our lives out as well.  Are you holding on to some anger for things people have done to you in the past or maybe for situations that you are currently in?  Maybe you are experiencing depression because of a loss that you can’t seem to let go of or events in your past that continue to affect you today.  On the other hand maybe things are fine and you just want to make some adjustments in life such as working on those new years’ resolution goals that may have taken a back seat such as weight loss, learning to relax, or accomplishing a goal in life.  Whatever your spring cleaning needs may be we offer services to assist in reaching your goals and becoming emotionally ready for the months to come.  SBHC provides outpatient counseling services, medication services, rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol, children’s services as well as day treatment programs that help guide you along with everyday needs.  For more information about these or other services please contact us at 407-321-HELP.

The feelings that often come after a breakup can be some of the most confusing and hard ones to deal with. Often times there are a mix of emotions that an individual experiences and they can shift moment to moment. The response is not only emotional but can affect our bodies, thoughts, and behaviors. There are many different feelings that occur: sorrow, despair, resentment, anger, regret, loneliness, confusion, anxiety, ect. Often sleeping and eating patterns become disrupted resulting in headaches, body aches, and fatigue. The emotions of a breakup are sometimes compared to those experienced during the stages of grief: shock/numbness/disbelief; anger; disorganization; acceptance. The stages are not viewed as consecutive stages, rather a cycle of feelings that an individual experiences in certain events or when memories arise.

Although these feelings usually cannot be avoided, there are ways to cope with them. First, remember that we are entitled to grieve and we all grieve in our own way; being prepared and aware of our emotions can help us pull through the harder times. It may be best to avoid major decisions or life changes until one is more emotionally stable. Although there may be feelings of wanting to socially withdraw, support from family and friends can be extremely beneficial. Expression of feelings and thoughts can help you more towards acceptance and eventually with moving forward. In some cases, it is also beneficial to seek professional help to work through these feelings and difficult time. At Seminole Behavioral Healthcare, counselors are able to help you through this time of transition and achieve future happiness.

A friend once told me that she didn’t think she could break out of some unhealthy habits she had developed over the years.  “I’m too old”, she told me. “I’ve run out of ideas on how to change once and for all”.  I wonder how often we claim that as our reason to stay stuck in old patterns.  We may believe it.  However, brain research does not play that out. 

Here’s a short lesson on the brain: The brain is basically an electrical system.  Its neurons are specifically designed to conduct electrical signals.  These neurons have a common structure.  Each one has a cell body with a long cable or axon extending from it.  Electrical impulses travel down the axons to dendrites (0r branches), where they pass out of the cell though the branches, jump across a tiny gap, and enter the branches of neighboring neurons. And viola! An idea begins!  At any time your brain is generating the equivalent of about twenty-five watts of electricity-enough to power a light bulb!

 Did you know that you are born with about 100 billion neurons, each of which has an average of ten thousand dendrites or “branches”?  This makes the possible number of connections about one quadrillion. Each connection can translate into a thought or idea.  It can be a song or a story or even a solution.   Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, thinks that the possible number of neural configurations in just one brain exceeds the number of atoms in the known universe.  The creative ability of our mind is limitless.

 So, are you too old to come up with new solutions? As long as your neurons are generating electricity, you’re not!

Experiencing depression at the same time as having a serious medical illness has been thought to be a “normal” response to the illness. For many who suffer from heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other health problems, feelings of depression are thought to go hand in hand; however often times they are unrelated. The symptoms of depression such as feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in once enjoyable activities, little or no appetite, loss of energy and feeling fatigue, or sleeping problems can be masked by the health problem and discounted. Often times the physical illness is addressed and treated while the depression goes undiagnosed. Depression occurs in about 40-65% of those who have experienced a heart attack and in about 10-27% of those who have had a stroke. One in four people suffer from depression who have cancer and 25% of those with diabetes also experience depression. Depression also has a strong relationship with eating disorders and substance abuse or dependence. It is important to address feelings of depression, whether they are the result of the health issue or in addition to it. Those who seek help for their depression often experience an improvement in their overall medical condition. It is important to remember that about 80% of people with depression can be treated successfully with counseling, medication, or a combination of both. There are ways to ensure both your mental health and your physical health are treated; these tips will help you maintain your health and possible feelings of depression:

• Make sure your doctor asks about your overall health
• Get routine check ups and visit a doctor or counselor when you’re not feeling well
• Manage your stress and monitor when you begin to experience symptoms of stress
• Plan a healthy sleeping schedule that will ensure you the appropriate amount of time; you will also notice if your sleeping changes
• Eat healthy as some medications can increase weight gain and exercise regularly
• Do something that is enjoyable and connect with others around you.

If you feel as though you are experiencing depression or other mental health issues, please do not wait to ask for help. Here at Seminole Behavioral Healthcare we offer a wide range of programs to assist your mental health needs. Please call 407-831-2411 for more information.

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In today’s high tech- high speed-the faster the better-world we all live in, sometimes it is easy to allow important things to slip by, like our mental health.  Taking care of yourself is important and is a priority in order to survive this thing we call life.  In an effort to assist with mental health wellness here are a few tips from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration :

-         Your mental health is important.  You will not have a healthy body if you don’t also take care of your mind

-         You have to take care of yourself to take care of the people who depend on you, your strength, and your well-being

-         Promote your own mental health by keeping up with people and activities you enjoy.  Find support when you need it

-         Remember that by caring for your mental health and getting help when you need it, you can enjoy life at any age

-         Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.  Everyone needs help at some point

Here at Seminole Behavioral Healthcare we offer a variety of services and programs to meet your mental health needs.  We have a crisis unit that provides intensive assistance for those times when you’re feeling low and unsure of how to manage life as well as a residential treatment program for recovery from substances and mental health.  In addition, there are outpatient counseling programs both for adults and children and a day treatment program for those looking to learn in a group setting.  To find out more information about any of the services here please contact our Access Center at 407-831-2411.  And remember:

-         “Good mental health isn’t just the absence of mental health problems.  It’s about having a sense of balance in your life- time alone and time with friends and family, work and play, rest and exercise.  It’s about taking care of yourself-body and mind”

Susan G. Kornstein, MD., Executive Director, Institute for Women’s Health, Virginia Commonwealth University

In today’s world of social networking and instant communication, it seems as if people’s personal lives are always on display. We are able to see our friend’s latest vacation, greatest accomplishments, or their seemingly endless positive statuses which may in turn make us begin to wonder about our own lives. Are we as successful, as happy, or as attractive as our friends? Could social sites such as Facebook be adding to or even creating feelings of depression? A recent study done out of Stanford University by lead researcher Alex Jordan explored individual’s perceptions of their own lives and those of others. The study concluded that people tend to focus only on the happiness of others, while only focusing on negative aspects of their own lives. Research found people greatly underestimate other’s negative emotions, which in turn increases their own feelings of unhappiness. Individuals on sites like Facebook or various dating websites tend to only share positive interests or attractive photos leading to an ideal image of the person. Upon seeing this ideal life, one might begin to feel as though their life doesn’t measure up.

The reality is that people’s negative emotions are often hidden from others or even ignored by the person themselves. Various 12 step programs use the slogan “Don’t compare your inside to someone else’s outside” which may be helpful to remember. The good news is that there are ways to avoid the negative impact of social networks on our own self esteem. It is important to keep things in perspective when surfing various sites. No one’s life is perfect; they have their own set of problems that perhaps they don’t share with others. Limit your time on sites such as these and increase your own social involvement outside of the World Wide Web. Explore your own positive traits and successes instead of focusing solely on the negative. Be aware when you begin to feel depressed or inadequate and seek out help from your friends, your support systems, or a counselor. Here are Seminole Behavioral Healthcare we offer a wide range of support including counselors who can work with you to alleviate feelings of depression or inadequacy.

I knew a woman once who came to me in tears.  She was exhausted from the energy she poured daily, into helping a family member with challenging behaviors. The severity of her family member’s emotional issues was so overwhelming that it was affecting every aspect of her family life.  She shared with me how in a moment of despair she turned to her friends for support.  What she got instead was an earful of advice on how to manage the problem.  As well intended as her friends had been, the resulting outcome was that she felt even more inadequate and defeated. “I’ve known them for years, and yet they have no idea what my world is like!” she told me.  Now she felt judged by her friends.  This led to more alienation and isolation.   What a common error this is:  Friends wanting so eagerly to help rush in with advice, only to make matters worse.

 The best way to help someone who is struggling with a challenging and painful season in their life is to NOT give advice, but to LISTEN. Good listening is an art.  It’s even taught in graduate school! Good listening means being “in the moment” with the person and allowing them experience your full acceptance. People, who are emotionally exhausted from whatever struggle they are going through, desperately need a “safe space” to tell their story.  Simply acknowledging someone’s pain is much more helpful than giving some advice they have probably heard and tried already.  Good listening involves trying to step into the life of the other person and experience their world through their eyes, looking with their lens on their life.  That level of connection is so powerful and so infinitely more helpful.

We at Seminole Behavioral Healthcare are eager to hear your story. We have short term outpatient counseling services as well as a wide range of other programs available to meet your needs. To find out more, call us at (407) 831-2411 or visit our website at www.seminolecares.org.

Those in the behavioral health field are beginning to notice a lot of discussion in the field about trauma informed care. Indeed, State legislators are asking that all publicly funded service providers become more proficient in providing trauma informed care. But exactly what do we mean by the phrase?

Trauma informed care is actually a philosophy and a way of seeing the clients we serve, rather than a specific collection of techniques and strategies. For everyone, it is part of the human condition to have painful and traumatic experiences, such as the death of a loved one, or a frightening auto accident. Those who are challenged by mental health disorders, or substance abuse issues, are statistically likely to have far more traumatic events in their lives than the average person. Those with chronic and serious challenges frequently also report a history of multiple assaults, homelessness, physical health challenges, and numerous other traumatic events. A history of trauma almost always makes the mental health issue, or the substance abuse issue, much worse. Trauma informed care means that instead of asking our clients “what’s wrong with you?” that we instead ask them “what has happened to you?” Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is actively working to improve our services through a carefully selected committee of providers and clients who are examining every level of our agency and recommending improvements. Our goal is to be the safe and nurturing place that our clients find at the end of what is often a long and painful journey.

Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to serving the needs of Seminole County. Through our many services and programs, we are available to our clients even if they are unable to pay for services. We are also available to provide training to professionals and laypeople in many topics relating to mental health. For more information, please contact us at (407) 831-2411 or visit our website at www.seminolecares.org.