TheMindful60

05/13/2026

What if improving mental health wasn’t just about the brain… but also the body?

🧠 Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is gaining attention as a treatment that connects both.

🔬 What is the vagus nerve?

The vagus nerve is a major communication pathway between the brain and body.

It directly influences:

• Mood
• Stress response
• Heart rate
• Inflammation

👉 It plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system
This is your body’s “calm and reset” state

⚡ What is vagus nerve stimulation?

VNS uses targeted stimulation to activate this nerve and shift the body out of a chronic stress state.

There are two approaches:

• Implanted device (FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression)
• Non-invasive devices placed on the neck or ear

🧠 What does the research show?

Recent studies (2024 to 2026) suggest:

• Increased parasympathetic activation → improved stress regulation
• Improvements in cognitive function including attention and processing
• Reduction in depressive symptoms over time
• Effects on inflammation and brain network connectivity

👉 This is part of the growing field of neuromodulation in psychiatry

💡 Why this matters:

Mental health is not just chemical. It is neurological and physiological.

VNS targets:

✔ Brain signaling
✔ Body regulation
✔ Stress system balance

📊 Clinical takeaway:

• Option for treatment-resistant depression
• May benefit patients with chronic stress dysregulation
• Works gradually, not instantly

📚 Where this research is coming from:

• Neuromodulation and neuropsychiatry journals
• Clinical trials on non-invasive VNS devices
• FDA-approved use of implanted VNS for depression

🔮 What’s next:

• Growth of at-home, non-invasive devices
• Integration with therapy and behavioral interventions
• Expansion into anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive disorders



Educational content only. Not medical advice.

05/12/2026

You don't have to be in crisis to reach out for help. 💙

This , we want you to know: you don't have to wait until things get worse to reach out. Support is always available, no matter what you're going through. Call, text, or chat 988.

05/12/2026

To my fellow mental health providers holding space for grief, trauma, anxiety, healing, growth, and hope — thank you. Thank you for showing up with compassion, patience, and care, even on the hard days.

This work is sacred, exhausting, meaningful, and deeply human. Behind every session is a provider carrying stories, emotions, and the responsibility of helping others feel less alone.

To all therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, psychiatrists, case workers, school counselors, and mental health advocates: your work matters more than words can express.

Take care of yourselves, too. You deserve the same compassion you so freely give to others. 🤍

— The Mindful 60
heal • grow • reclaim

05/10/2026

To the moms holding little hands, missing the ones they love, healing from loss, or simply trying their best each day — you are seen. 💛

Today we honor every kind of mother, including grieving mothers carrying love and loss at the same time.
Your love still matters. Your motherhood still counts. 🌷

Happy Mother’s Day.

05/06/2026

As a mother of two girls, I know what it feels like to carry more than you show.

Maternal mental health isn't talked about enough. Not the real stuff — the rage, the numbness, the guilt, the quiet unravelling behind closed doors.

1 in 5 mothers are affected. 75% receive no support.

I made this because awareness starts with honesty. And because the moms who are struggling deserve to know they're not alone and they're not failing.

If this reaches someone who needed it today — please share it. Tag a mom who might need to hear this. Save it for a hard day.

You are seen. You are not too much. And you deserve care too.

With love,
Lauren

🤍

05/05/2026

Medication is hope.

There's no shame in needing support to heal. For so many people, medication isn't a shortcut or a weakness—it's a lifeline. It's the thing that makes therapy possible, that quiets the noise enough to breathe, that helps you show up for your life again.

Stigma around medication keeps people suffering in silence. It tells them they should be able to "push through" on their own. But healing isn't one-size-fits-all, and no one should have to justify the tools that help them get better.

If medication is part of your path, that's something to honor—not hide.
You deserve every resource that supports your wellbeing. 💛

If you, or someone you know may need medication to assist in their healing journey please reach out to a clinician and they can assist in matching you with a medication provider. I have dropped the link of my favorite in the area ⬇


https://www.horizonsmentalwellness.com

05/05/2026

The most dangerous time for overdose isn’t during addiction, it’s after leaving the ER.

🚑 New research is exploring extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) initiated directly in ED settings.

💊 What is it?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that is used to treat addiction to opioids such as:

• Prescription pain medications (oxycodone, hydrocodone)
• He**in
• Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids

👉 It helps stabilize the brain without producing the same “high,” allowing patients to function, reduce cravings, and lower overdose risk.

Extended-release formulations (monthly injections like Sublocade/Brixadi) provide steady medication coverage without daily dosing

🔬 What’s new in the research?

Recent studies (2024–2026) are showing:

• Patients started on XR-buprenorphine in the ED are more likely to stay engaged in treatment
• Reduces the gap between overdose → follow-up care
• Helps bypass barriers like pharmacy access, transportation, and adherence

👉 This is targeting one of the biggest problems in addiction medicine:
patients lost after discharge

📊 Why this matters clinically:

• Highest overdose risk = days after ED visit
• Traditional model = referral + delay
• New model = treatment starts immediately

👉 This is a shift toward low-barrier, rapid-initiation care

💡 Real-world impact:

• Fewer missed opportunities for treatment
• Potential reduction in repeat overdoses
• More stabilization during a critical window

🚨 Important considerations:

• Requires appropriate patient selection
• Risk of precipitated withdrawal if not timed correctly
• Still expanding in real-world ED protocols

📚 Where this research is coming from:

• JAMA Network Open (ED-initiated buprenorphine studies)
• NIH + addiction medicine trials
• Ongoing implementation studies across U.S. ERs

🔮 What’s coming next:

• Wider ED protocol adoption
• Integration with community follow-up programs
• Expansion of long-acting addiction treatments

disorder

Educational content only. Not medical advice.

05/02/2026

Need help but not sure where to reach out?

For help with mental health, su***de, and substance use issues, call or text 988 or click the link to chat: https://ow.ly/7JqN50YQxC1

For emergencies involving immediate physical danger, call 911.

Knowing the right number can make all the difference.

***dePrevention

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
Vibrant Emotional Health
SAMHSA

05/01/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
This month, we’re taking time to recognize the importance of mental health and well-being. Remember: it’s okay to not be okay, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Whether you’re prioritizing self-care, checking in on loved ones, or simply taking a moment to breathe—every step counts.
Let’s break the stigma together and create a culture where mental health matters. 🌱

04/30/2026

Happy Birthday to our favorite NP!
We are so thankful for all you do in our community! 💗

Today we are celebrating our provider,
Cristina Evans, PMHNP-BC 🎉

Cristina is known for her compassionate approach and dedication to helping her patients feel supported, heard, and understood.

We’re thankful for the positive impact she continues to make in the lives of those she serves.

Wishing her a wonderful birthday!