JAMHI Health & Wellness’ Post

The way our brain works to create and file memories can be so useful! It helps us learn and enjoy the things we like. When we experience trauma, our brains work overtime to keep us safe by telling us we're in danger. That feeling of being in danger, even when we aren't, can be scary, uncomfortable, and downright hard to live with. It can feel like nothing will ever go back to normal; but you need to know that your brain and the nervous system are changeable and healing can happen! A fan of Ted talks? Here's some that talk about how PTSD impacts your brain and behavior. https://lnkd.in/gkbcraKN https://lnkd.in/gPc5yyXE https://lnkd.in/gdycCaMR

June 27th is PTSD Screening Day Been following along and think you might have PTSD? Only a trained provider can diagnose PTSD, but use this short self-screener to take a pulse of your likelihood. Take a screenshot or print the summary screen to share with a provider. Don't have a provider? Contact JAMHI and let us see how we can help. https://lnkd.in/g_fAJx6Q

The VA (Veterans Affairs) has lots of resources that can help a veteran experiencing PTSD right from their own home. Download PTSD Coach to track symptoms, learn techniques and get support. Check out AboutFace to learn more about PTSD from other veterans: https://lnkd.in/eZjr7DJ JAMHI operates as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic which means we make sure folks are trained on unique needs of veterans and active duty military community.

Ready to do some self-education about racism and how to work towards equity for Black communities? Get to the library or a great local bookseller to pick up: So You Want to Talk about Race - Ijeoma Oluo Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America - Ibram X. Kendi White Privilege: Essential Readings on the Other Side of Racism - Paula Rothenberg Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson Slavery's Capitalism: A New History of American Economic Development - Sven Beckert and Seth Rockman Juneteenth: A Children’s Story - Opal Lee Me and White Supremacy - Layla F. Saad Juneteenth -- Ralph Ellison Rooted -- Brea Baker Between the World and Me - Ta-Nehisi Coates I'm Still Here - Austin Channing Brown and so many more . . .

>> JAMHI is closed today in observation of Juneteenth. << Now a national holiday, Juneteenth represents freedom and justice for Black Americans. Today, we acknowledge that the behavioral health field is not without structural racism. Recognizing this is a start; but there is so much more work to be done to educate ourselves and then engage in restorative justice work to create behavioral health equity for the Black community, other communities of colors, and our community at large. Here are some resources for learning more: - Support Black-owned businesses: https://lnkd.in/gQUBHZ_w - Donate to and attend events by organizations that support Black communities like Juneau's Black Awareness Association - https://lnkd.in/gt-7DHAP - Borrow books from the library to do your own work (see tomorrow's post!)

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Though more and more people are aware of it, so some folks may not yet understand what it is. Watch this video to learn more. https://lnkd.in/g5GAucRX Thinking about treatment for PTSD? Here's an interactive decision aid: https://lnkd.in/dUEtQ6q Does JAMHI treat PTSD? Yes. Even if the trauma you've experienced doesn't yet rise to the diagnosis of PTSD, we can help. Give us a call or come in and learn about how to get assessed.

Flag Day was established in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. It is a day honoring the national flag. It is celebrated every June 14th to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United Sates on June 14th, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Did you know…? *The union (the stars portion) of the flag should always be flown at the top, unless you need to show you are in distress, then it is flown upside down. *The flag should be in a spot to flow freely, and should not touch the ground. *During a parade, the flag should never be “dipped” but remain upright and flown with honor. *A flag should not be flown at night, unless it is illuminated. *A flag should be flown as a sign of respect, and should not be flown when tattered or torn. When the flag is no longer serviceable, it should be respectfully and ceremoniously burned. Contact your local American Legion, VFW, or Boy and Girl Scouts to help you dispose of your old flags.

June is Immigrant Heritage Month. Immigrants often face many challenges that can make mental wellness hard to achieve. There are often financial challenges, language differences, and stigma that both contribute to poor mental health and make it hard to access health care. Want to do some reading on how the mental health community can help support immigrants? https://lnkd.in/e5kJQUnG https://lnkd.in/g2aMZNzw https://lnkd.in/gxziUUcq #ImmigrantHeritageMonth

LGBTQI2S+ persons don't always feel like they have a place or deserve to feel safe. We believe that everyone has a place. Everyone deserves to feel safe. Whether you need counseling, substance use treatment services, connections to gender-affirming healthcare or help setting up a personalized wellness plan, we want to see you succeed.