Meet Kealani Yamamoto. Kea’s story shares about her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young teenager and learning to thrive on the other side of her diagnosis.

Kealani Yamamoto grew up in a little town nestled in the Cascades. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young teenager, she shares how she learned to thrive on the other side of her diagnosis.

As a people who desire meaning, asking the question “why?” is in our DNA.  But when that question becomes “why did someone die?”, it gets pretty complex and painful. In the wake of tragic death, shock, confusion, numbness, anger, guilt, anxiety, and panic can come in waves leaving the one grieving struggling to find their […]

A quick look at social media will tell any observer that mental health is one of the most important concerns facing college students today. My own experience has taught me that in times of high stress and intensity, mental health is usually one of the first things to go. College is a time of high stress, intensity, and uncertainty. It’s no surprise that the mental health difficulties students faced in high school are only exacerbated by the different stress of college. Over the course of my four years as a college student, I have learned a few things (mostly the hard way) about mental health.

TW: Mentions of death and suicide  Ever since I was little, my mom has been my best friend. She had this spectacular way of walking the line between being parent and friend. She was so humble, so smart, so kind. My mom is the one who taught me to love music and the arts. She […]

The “college care package Moms group” was inspired by an article I read from Grown & Flown. We all have college freshman away from home for the first time, living in the dorms. I wanted to connect other local moms who are in the same phase and together, support our “babies”.

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend and we were talking about life’s trials and the struggles we were facing at the time, and she said something that took me back a bit.

Continued from: Notice. Stop. Reframe. As your thoughts change, you walk out this gift into changing your habits. Below are some tips to practically step into knowing that this GIFT of the present moment, to thrive today instead of just getting through.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow.  It is time to ask yourself “What do […]

“I feel like I am on a Roller Coaster and I can’t seem to get off of it or breathe!”  I have heard this statement (or a version of it) from at least a hundred people this past year as a Mental Health Counselor and when I tell them they are not alone on that […]

In 2019, Americans averaged 3 hours and 30 minutes on their phones per day, increasing 30 minutes from 2018. Also, in 2019, reported loneliness rose 13% from the year before, making an average 3 out of 5 lonely adults. Phone activity increased, but so did loneliness.

Tis the Holiday season! Many people are putting their lights and decorations up early this year, looking for a sign of hope and for something to look forward to during this crazy year.  Some people dread this time of year as they are trying to cope with hardships in their life. Many try to escape. […]