Even though Thanksgiving is regarded as a time of togetherness, gratitude, and joy, there are many reasons why the holidays may be anything but bliss. This year in particular may look a little different than previous Thanksgivings, especially if quarantines and travel restrictions prevent you from gathering as you normally would. In addition to the unique challenges of 2020, holidays can be...

If a family member or loved one has depression, you might wonder what you can do to help them feel better. You might even feel confused or worried for your loved one. At Next Step 2 Mental Health, our team of caring providers wants you to know that depression is treatable. In this article, we’ll explore 11 ways you can help someone in your family with depression. 11 Ideas to Help a Loved One...

Winter blues. Winter funk. The Blues. Whichever name you use, the reality is that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is common during the darker winter months, and it can be debilitating. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of depression or SAD, we encourage you to give us a call. Whether you’re struggling with major depressive disorder or seasonal affective disorder, we can help you feel...

How you talk to others is important and can play a big role in the quality of your relationships. However, how you talk to yourself is equally important. Your state-of-mind and your internal monologue (self-talk) impacts your mental health. The American Psychological Association can assess the quality of self-talk to predict anxiety in kids.  Self-talk doesn’t just impact anxiety; it can...

Nearly 6 million Americans are impacted by bipolar disorder every year. In terms of percentages, that’s about 2.6% of the adult population —  2.6% of all adults who struggle with the lows of bipolar depression and the highs of a manic episode. At the Next Step 2 Mental Health, our team is experienced in diagnosing depression. This is important because there are many types of...

Anxiety disorders are extremely common. About 40 million American adults are affected by an anxiety disorder each year. Anxiety disorders can profoundly impact the quality of your life, and even though anxiety is treatable, almost 40% of those with anxiety don’t get the treatment they need. Here at Next Step 2 Mental Health, we know that anxiety can affect many aspects of your life, but...

Are you looking for new ways to keep your family active this fall? With the current pandemic, we know that fall-inspired activities might not look the same this year, especially if you’re taking a pass on your favorite parades, festivals, or outings.  Even with a disruption to your normal fall activities, it’s important to find safe ways to stay active. Exercise and regular activity are...