Pendulum Counseling Services

05/25/2024

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental Health Awareness Month is from Wednesday, May 1st 2024- Friday, May 31, 2024.

Stay tuned for highlights and updates throughout the month!

Our focus will be on promoting mental health & wellness!

As well as sharing related information and statistics.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (2022)

Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Mental illness is treatable. The vast majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives.

Nami (2023) found that millions of people suffer each year in the United States due to mental illness.

Measuring & collecting data on mental illness is crucial. As this allows for a deeper understanding of the physical, social, and economic impacts of mental health struggles.

Measuring & collecting data on mental illness also helps to reduce stigmas, raise awareness, & to let individuals know that they are not alone.

Many people struggle with mental illness.

It is common & it is not something to be ashamed of.

Additionally, collecting data on mental illness provides evidence that greater access to health care is needed.

On a daily basis in America, people struggling with mental illness succeed at work, create, present, play, experience joy, & love (paras. 1).

Nami (2023) found that

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder
each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

Su***de is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14

Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:
Schizophrenia:

05/07/2024

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental Health Awareness Month is from Wednesday, May 1st 2024- Friday, May 31, 2024.

Stay tuned for highlights and updates throughout the month!

We will focus on promoting mental health & wellness!

SAMSHA (2024) highlights that for this second week of Mental Health Awareness Month we will be focusing on the mental health of older adults.

As we age we change.

This continues to happen throughout the course of life.

We are faced with new challenges & sometimes more is added on to our plates!

It is never too late to seek support!

There are a variety of struggles that older adults may face.

Such as losing interest in certain activities.

Having conversations around mental health can help individuals to feel more comfortable asking for help when it is needed.

Receiving mental health supports can help older adults to live their lives optimally.

Visiting with older adults can bring meaningful connection & enrich lives!

Take the time to visit with the older adults in your life & reap the benefits that genuine connection can bring!

Mental health is important at every age.



SAMSHA (2024) writes, “Age joyfully! Consider your passions and interests and pursue something that brings you happiness and fulfillment.” Pendulum Counseling Services is here to provide support to anyone seeking counseling services. We know that finding the right provider is important & that there are a lot of options when seeking mental health services. Pendulum Counseling Services is accepting new patients & welcomes returning patients.

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!

Citation
“2024 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.” SAMHSA, www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month/toolkit. Accessed 5 May 2024.

09/12/2023

The World Health Organization writes,

"Su***de is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences.

It is estimated that there are currently more than 700,000 su***des per year worldwide, and we know that each su***de profoundly affects many more people.

“Creating Hope Through Action” this theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to su***de and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.

Lastly, it serves as a reminder that su***de prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure su***de mortality rates are reduced.

The World Health Organization will continue to work with its partners to support countries to take concrete measures in this direction (World Su***de Prevention Day 2023: "Creating Hope Through Action, 2023)."

The Pan American Health Organization writes,

"The overall goal is to raise awareness about su***de prevention worldwide.

Objectives include promoting collaboration and self-empowerment to address self-harm and su***de through preventative action.

These can be achieved through positive and informative messaging aimed at the general population and at-risk groups such as young people, and facilitating an open discussion on mental health at home, at school, in the workplace, etc.

Those contemplating or affected by su***de are also encouraged to share their stories and seek professional help (World Su***de Prevention Day 2023: "Creating Hope Through Action, 2023)."

Pendulum was created with the desire to help others navigate life's stressors with compassionate and quality mental health care.

We assist clients by providing individual and couple’s therapy, groups, and more.

Pendulum is committed to assisting the individual overcome barriers to living a more fulfilled and self-directed life.

In-person sessions are offered in a convenient and centrally-located Bolingbrook office.

As well as our Oak Brook location every Wednesday through the month of September.

We offer telehealth (virtual) sessions as well which can be provided to you in the comfort of your home or office.

https://www.pendulumcounseling.net/

Su***de and Crisis Lifeline/ Hotline:

Call or text:

988

Hours: Available 24 hours.

Languages: English, Spanish.

References

“World Su***de Prevention Day 2023.” PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization, www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-su***de-prevention-day-2023. Accessed 10 Sept. 2023.

“World Su***de Prevention Day 2023.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/campaigns/world-su***de-prevention-day/2023. Accessed 10 Sept. 2023.

08/31/2023

Kristen Luft of Caring House says

“All of us have experienced grief in one way or another throughout our lives.

As part of the human experience, grief encompasses the emotions that appear in response to loss.

Sorrow and suffering, although painful, are a natural reaction to loss.

Whether grieving the death of a loved one, or grieving a relationship, job loss, or other life event, the process of grief is something that comes in waves and is not linear.

Every individual has a unique journey through grief, which often includes stages such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

National Grief Awareness Day takes place on August 30th each year, with the mission to educate people on grief and create space for loss.

Grief doesn’t always entail the loss of a life.

It can occur through life transitions, changes in identity, and both large and small traumas.

You may be grieving a cancer diagnosis and an idea of what you thought your life would look like. Regardless, every type of grief is valid.

There are numerous ways to cope with loss and grief. You can find support through therapy and support groups.

Be gentle and patient with yourself as you honor grief, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from loved ones.

Express yourself through hobbies, art or writing, and come up with ways to process and honor what you’ve lost.

Grief is like a never-ending ocean.

Waves that feel engulfing, waves that can pull you under, and waves that you somehow, can get through. But you are not alone in your grief.

In time, the waves will pass, and you will resurface (Luft, 2022).”

Reference

Luft, K. (2022, August 31). National grief awareness day. Caring House. https://caringhouse.org/news/national-grief-awareness-day

Let us keep this in mind & carry this with us through the end of the week.

Remember that even something as simple as smiling at a stranger can change the course of their day & mean the world to them.

08/19/2023

According to the United States Agency for International Development, August 19 marks World Humanitarian Day, a time to recognize aid workers who have sacrificed their own lives to help people affected by global crises (World Humanitarian Day: Humanitarian Assistance, 2023).

Reference

World Humanitarian Day: Humanitarian Assistance. U.S. Agency for International Development. (2023, February 9). https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/humanitarian-stories/world-humanitarian-day

06/25/2023

https://www.pendulumcounseling.net/blog/living-with-adhd
Read our new blog post on Living with ADHD by Brooke Lynch!

05/01/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness month! First established in 1949 by Mental Health America, it's purpose is to draw attention to the importance of mental health, illness, and recovery.

Please reach out to us at Pendulum Counseling for inquiries about mental health, services available, or to schedule counseling sessions. Your mental health is important! 331-481-9885

At Pendulum, we provide individual and couple's counseling sessions, for teens through adults.

10/14/2022

What’s your most unique self-care?

Self-care doesn’t just look like journaling and taking a nap.

It could also look like forming boundaries and setting up an appointment with a therapist.

Call us to get scheduled for your journey of self-care!

Check-in with yourself and discover what you need daily for your self-care. One day it could be a long hot shower the next day it could be scheduling an appointment with your therapist.
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Image via IGoToTherapy on IG

10/04/2022

Virtual session openings, contact us today. In-person coming soon!

Casey Wegner, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, (847) 469-1633, In the last few years, we have seen an increase in individuals experiencing stress, sadness, and frustration that can be harming their careers, relationships, health, finances, and life satisfaction. Whethe...