Menopause occurs at the end of a woman's reproductive years. It can have a significant impact on mood. It can also impact emotions and mental well-being. Women going through menopause might experience any of the following: Mood swings Anxiety and/or depression Poor sleep Trouble thinking clearly Stress and irritability Decreased self-esteem Negative body image Not all women will have these mental health effects during menopause. For women who do experience mental health challenges during this phase of life, there are several strategies to consider. Strategies to Improve Mental Health During Menopause Stay physically active: Regular exercise can have a positive…

How Learn to Live Delivers CBT: Part 3 When I was working in an inpatient mental health unit, I began an effort to focus groups on evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). We needed a topic that busy nurses could lead on Sunday nights. We picked one that was simple, but very useful: automatic negative thinking traps (ANTs).  Many group members were new to the concept of ANTs, but I noticed that people remembered it. Even if they forgot everything else, ANTs stuck.  What ANTs Really Are ANTs aren't the same as the emotion-causing thoughts, like I'm going to fail this…

Talking to your teenager (or a teenager you know) about, well, anything, can be difficult. As conversations around mental health become more common, we must consider the mental health of everyone – especially teens. The more normal we make conversations about thoughts, emotions, and life challenges the easier having these conversations will get. And we know that one conversation can be pivotal when it comes to getting a young person facing a mental health challenge the help they may need. Here are some tips to make having these conversations a bit easier: Be genuine. Use your words and actions to show them that you…