Healthy Hearts & Minds

09/23/2026

Su***de Prevention Awareness Month: Older Adults

Getting older can bring meaningful new chapters but it can also bring changes and losses that are difficult to carry.

The loss of a spouse or loved one.
Changes in health.
Chronic pain or illness.
Retirement and changes in purpose.
Loss of independence.
Becoming a caregiver or needing care.
Living farther away from family.
Loneliness and isolation.

For some older adults, these experiences can contribute to significant emotional distress, depression, hopelessness, or thoughts of su***de. And sometimes, the signs can be easy to overlook or mistaken as simply part of aging.

Pay attention to changes such as:
• Increased isolation or withdrawing from others
• Losing interest in activities or relationships
• Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden
• Significant changes in sleep, appetite, or mood
• Increased alcohol or substance use
• Giving away meaningful belongings or putting affairs in order unexpectedly
• Talking frequently about death or saying there is “nothing left”
• Neglecting personal care or medical needs
• A noticeable change that makes you feel something just isn't right

Connection can start small.
📞 Call. Don't always wait for them to reach out first.
🏡 Visit. Sometimes simply sitting together matters.
☕ Invite. Include them in dinner, coffee, a walk, errands, church, family activities, or everyday moments.
👂 Listen. Give them space to talk about grief, loneliness, fear, frustration, and change without immediately trying to make it better.

And if you're concerned, ask directly about su***de.
Our older adults deserve to know that needing support does not make them a burden.

Different seasons. Same importance.

A phone call. A cup of coffee. An invitation. A conversation.
Small moments of intentional connection can matter.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate life-threatening danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

09/21/2026

Su***de Prevention Awareness Month: Let’s Talk About Adults

“But they seemed fine.”
They went to work.
They took care of their kids.
They answered your text.
They laughed at dinner.
They showed up.
And they may still have been struggling.

Suicidal thoughts don't always look the way we expect them to. Someone can continue meeting responsibilities, caring for others, and appearing okay while carrying significant emotional pain privately.

Sometimes the signs are subtle. You may notice:
• Pulling away from friends or family
• Changes in mood, sleep, or usual routines
• Increased alcohol or substance use
• Losing interest in things they once enjoyed
• Expressing hopelessness or feeling trapped
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Saying things like “What's the point?” or “Everyone would be better off without me.”
• Giving away meaningful possessions or putting affairs in order
• Talking about death, dying, or having no reason to live
• A significant change that simply makes you feel like something isn't right

So, what can we do?

Check in—even when someone seems okay.
Try going beyond “How are you?” and ask:
“How are you really doing lately?”

Notice changes and say what you see.
“You haven't seemed like yourself lately, and I care about you. What's been going on?”

Listen without immediately trying to fix it.
You don't need the perfect advice. Sometimes support begins with: “I'm here. You don't have to carry this by yourself.”

Ask directly when you're concerned.
“Are you thinking about su***de?”
Asking directly about su***de does not put the idea into someone's mind. It can create an opportunity for an honest conversation and connection to support.

Take them seriously and stay connected.
If someone tells you they're experiencing suicidal thoughts, don't minimize what they're feeling or leave them to manage it alone. Help them connect with professional or crisis support and reduce access to things they could use to harm themselves.

And remember:
Don't wait for someone to “look like they're struggling” before you check in. Sometimes the person who keeps showing up for everyone else needs someone to show up for them, too.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate life-threatening danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

09/19/2026

🧠 Give Your Inner Critic a Name

We all have that voice that shows up sometimes…
💭 “You’re going to mess this up.”
💭 “They probably think you’re annoying.”
💭 “You should be doing more.”
💭 “You’re not good enough.”

That voice can feel convincing—but a thought isn’t automatically a fact.

One way to create some distance from negative thinking and cognitive distortions is to give your inner critic a name.
Maybe it’s Negative Nancy, Anxious Annie, Critical Carl, or something completely ridiculous that makes you smile.

Then, when the thought shows up, instead of immediately believing it, try: “Oh, there’s Nancy again…”

Then get curious:
✨ Is this thought based on facts or assumptions?
✨ Am I catastrophizing or jumping to conclusions?
✨ Am I thinking in all-or-nothing terms?
✨ What would I say to someone I care about if they had this thought?
✨ Is there a more balanced way to look at this?

Naming the inner critic doesn’t make difficult thoughts disappear. It helps you notice the thought without automatically becoming the thought.

Sometimes the goal isn’t to stop your brain from talking.
It’s learning that you don’t have to believe everything it says.

09/18/2026

Su***de Prevention Awareness Month: Let’s Talk About Our Teens

Teen distress doesn’t always look like sadness.
Sometimes it looks like anger. Irritability. Sleeping all day. Staying in their room. Saying “I’m fine.” Suddenly not caring about school. Pulling away from people they used to enjoy.
And sometimes, those changes are easy to mistake for “just being a teenager.”

While changes are a normal part of adolescence, significant or concerning shifts in your teen’s behavior, mood, or functioning are worth paying attention to.

Some signs to look for may include:

• Increased irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts
• Withdrawing from friends, family, sports, or activities
• Significant changes in sleep or appetite
• Declining grades or suddenly not caring about school
• Increased alcohol or substance use
• Reckless or unusually risky behavior
• Giving away meaningful belongings
• Talking or posting about death, dying, or su***de
• Expressing hopelessness or feeling trapped
• Saying things like “Nobody would care if I was gone,” “Everyone would be better without me,” or “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

So, how can we support our teens?

Notice the change, not just the behavior.
Instead of “What's gotten into you lately?” try:
“You haven't seemed like yourself lately. What's been going on?”
Listen without immediately trying to solve it.

Your teen may need connection before solutions. Try:
“You don't have to figure this out right now. I'm here to listen.”

Make space for conversations that aren't forced.
Car rides, walks, grabbing food, or sitting together without direct eye contact can sometimes make difficult conversations feel a little easier.

Don't minimize what feels big to them.
A breakup, friendship conflict, academic pressure, social media, or feeling left out may look different through an adult lens—but the emotions attached to it can be very real.

Ask directly when you're concerned.
“Have you been thinking about su***de?”
Asking directly about su***de does not cause suicidal thoughts. It gives your teen an opportunity to tell you what they're experiencing.

Most importantly, remind them:
There is nothing you could tell me that would make me stop showing up for you.

Our teens don't need us to have every answer. They need adults willing to notice, listen, stay curious, take them seriously, and help them connect with support.

If you're concerned about your teen, consider reaching out to a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider.
If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate life-threatening danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

09/12/2026

Su***de Prevention Month: Supporting our children

When we think about su***de prevention, we may not immediately think about young children but children can experience thoughts about death, dying, or not wanting to be here as well.

Young children often don’t have the emotional vocabulary to explain exactly what they’re feeling. Sometimes, instead of saying “I’m struggling,” their emotions show up through their behavior, play, body, or words.

You might notice:
• Increased tantrums, anger, aggression, or emotional outbursts
• Becoming unusually quiet, withdrawn, clingy, or fearful
• Changes in sleeping or eating
• Frequent stomachaches, headaches, or wanting to stay home
• Losing interest in playing or activities they usually enjoy
• Play, drawings, or stories that repeatedly focus on death or dying
• Saying things like “I wish I wasn’t here,” “I want to disappear,” “I wish I was dead,” or “Everyone would be better without me”
• Giving away favorite or meaningful belongings
• Significant changes that simply make you think, “Something isn't right.”

How can we support children? Get curious about behavior.

Instead of only asking “Why are you acting like this?” try:
“You seem like you're having a really hard time. Can you help me understand what's happening?”

Help them name their feelings. Young children may need adults to give them language try:
“I wonder if you're feeling really sad, angry, scared, or overwhelmed right now.”

Create regular opportunities to check in.
Try feelings charts, drawing together, talking during bedtime, or asking about the best and hardest parts of their day.

Listen before trying to fix it.
Sometimes children need to hear:
“That sounds really hard. I'm glad you told me.”

Don't dismiss concerning statements because of their age.
Even if a child says something during a tantrum or appears to “move on” quickly afterward, take the statement seriously and check in.

Ask directly when you're concerned.
Using clear, developmentally appropriate language about su***de or wanting to die does not put the idea into a child's head. Asking gives them permission to tell you what they're experiencing.

And perhaps most importantly:
Make home a place where ALL feelings are allowed, not just the comfortable ones. Children don't need us to have the perfect response. They need safe adults who will notice, listen, believe them, and help them get the support they need.

If you are concerned about something your child has said or a significant change in their behavior, reach out to a qualified mental health professional or pediatric healthcare provider.

If a child may be in immediate danger, stay with them and seek emergency support. For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline for additional support.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the first responders, service members, and everyday people who stepped forward with courage and compassion.

For many, this day can bring up grief, fear, sadness, or memories that still feel close, even 25 years later. There is no “right” way to feel on an anniversary connected to collective trauma and loss.
Today, may we make space for remembrance, kindness, and care for one another.

We remember. We honor. We hold space. 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

🌊 You Don’t Have to Fight the Wave

Have you ever had an emotion or urge feel so strong that you felt like you had to do something about it right away?

One DBT strategy, often called urge surfing, encourages us to think about urges like waves.

A wave begins to build.
It gets stronger.
It reaches its peak.
And then… it comes back down.

Our emotions and urges can work the same way.
Instead of immediately reacting to an uncomfortable urge or trying desperately to make it disappear we can practice riding the wave.

Notice what you're feeling.
Name the urge or emotion without judging it.
Pay attention to where you feel it in your body.
Breathe and remind yourself: “I can feel this without acting on it.”
Give the intensity time to rise and fall.

The goal isn't to stop the waves from coming. It’s learning that you can experience the wave without letting it carry you away. 🌊

Sometimes progress looks like creating just enough space between feeling and reacting to choose what comes next.

“You don't have to stop the wave. You can learn to ride it.”

09/08/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Month

This month, we’re creating space for conversations that can be difficult but incredibly important. Su***de prevention isn’t only about responding in moments of crisis. It’s also about connection, awareness, listening, and reminding people that they don’t have to carry difficult things alone.

Throughout September, we’ll be sharing information about:
• Recognizing potential warning signs
• Supporting children, teens, adults, and older adults
• How to check in when you’re worried about someone
• Supporting someone experiencing suicidal thoughts
• Resources for getting help
• Creating conversations around hope, connection, and mental health

Sometimes support begins with something as simple as:
“How are you really doing?” You don't need to have the perfect words. You just need to be willing to listen.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text 988 to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Healthy Hearts & Minds

08/28/2026

Yoga in Knightstown this weekend! Check it out!

This Saturday come see Jennifer Riggs for some Dolly Yoga at 9am!

08/11/2026

When depression tells you to stay inside… try stepping outside. 🌿

Depression can make even the smallest things feel heavy.
Getting dressed.
Leaving the house.
Moving your body.
Doing something you normally enjoy.

And sometimes we wait to feel better or feel motivated before doing those things. But what if we flipped that?

One strategy we use in therapy is behavioral activation, intentionally engaging in small, meaningful activities even when motivation is low.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

🌿 Water a plant or pull a few weeds.
🌿 Take a short walk.
🌿 Listen for the birds or wind in the trees.
🌿 Find one thing in nature that catches your attention.
🌿 Sit on your porch instead of inside.

The goal isn’t to take a walk or engage in an activity and suddenly make the depression disappear.

The goal is to gently interrupt the cycle of withdrawal and isolation and give your mind and body an opportunity to experience something different.

Start small. Five minutes counts.

Sometimes supporting your mental health looks like putting one foot in front of the other, even when you don’t really feel like it.