Ascend Treatment and Wellness Center

10/15/2025

The study of personality has always been central to psychiatry, not only as a determinant of identity and interpersonal functioning but also as a factor influencing vulnerability to mental illness, resilience, and treatment response. For decades, clinicians and researchers have worked within framewo

09/03/2025

Prevention matters deeply. So does honoring the complex reality survivors face. Sometimes there are no signs, and sometimes love isn’t enough.

Both prevention and postvention save lives. Both require communities willing to sit with the difficult truths and respond with compassion rather than judgment.

For the 8th year in a row, we are launching our “Su***de is Complicated” campaign on social media. Our intention is twofold: 1) Increase awareness of the complexities surrounding su***de and su***de prevention. 2) Increase support and understanding for loss survivors.

We invite you to share our posts, and use the hashtag ***deiscomplicated. Join us in expanding the conversation this September and throughout the year.

And please know the Alliance of Hope community is here to support you. 💙

***deIsComplicated ***dePrevention ***dePreventionMonth

09/03/2025

September is Su***de Prevention Month. This year’s theme is "Start the Conversation. Be the Difference."

One conversation can truly save a life. Let’s spread hope and remind each other that help is always available. Learn more at nami.org/su***deprevention

***dePreventionMonth

08/06/2025

📚✏️ Back-to-school season is here — and it’s not just about supplies and schedules. It’s also about emotional readiness.
This time of year can bring excitement and anxiety — for kids and parents. Don’t forget: mental health matters just as much as academics!

✨ Check in with your kids (and yourself).
✨ Normalize feeling nervous.
✨ Create routines that feel safe and supportive.
✨ Reach out if the transition feels overwhelming.

Let’s start the school year with compassion and connection. 💛

08/06/2025

📱 It’s not the phones—it’s the freedom.
A new Atlantic article reveals most kids would rather play outside with friends than be on their devices—but they’ve lost the freedom to do so. Safety fears and packed schedules have replaced unsupervised play with screen time.

The fix? Create safe spaces for kids to explore, roam, and just be kids. Less phone time starts with more real-world freedom.

Read more about it here:

Children who were raised on screens need more freedom out in the real world.

08/03/2025

This hit home today. 🌱 Healing isn’t about ignoring hurt—it’s about not letting it control you. Every day is a new chance to choose peace over offense. 💫

Reclaim your confidence and find peace within ✨ Dear Friend— Our co-founder Michelle’s new book—is your daily thrive guide and companion in your self-care routine 💌 Pre-order now at thedearfriendbook.com

07/20/2025

📣 Heads up, friends—and especially those of us navigating life past 65: even a glass or two of wine can be riskier than you think.

According to a recent New York Times article, our bodies change as we age, meaning the same old drinking habits may now hit harder—physically and mentally:

• Decreased muscle mass and water content → higher blood alcohol levels in seniors
• Stronger impacts on cognition and balance—even low levels of alcohol can impair memory, judgment, driving, and increase fall risk
• Mixed drinks + meds = dangerous combo—alcohol can interfere with common prescriptions for heart, diabetes, blood pressure, and even pain relief
• Even the “wellness” glass of wine? It’s not risk-free—no amount of alcohol is completely safe

🩺 Bottom line: experts urge caution—and honestly, some suggest older adults may want to skip alcohol entirely. If you do drink, keep it light, speak openly with your doctor, and pay close attention to how your body reacts.

Let’s look out for ourselves…and each other. 🧡🍷
Check out the article for more—knowledge is power!

Alcohol can present health problems for even light or occasional drinkers.

07/11/2025

Spot the signs, save a life. Learn the warning signs of su***de and share this graphic to help others recognize them.

If you see these signs in someone, urge them to contact a mental health professional or the 988 Lifeline at http://988Lifeline.org.

07/10/2025

🌟 July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 🌟
This month, we raise awareness of the unique mental health challenges experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Cultural stigma, systemic barriers to care, and Underrepresentation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals often make it harder and less likely that individuals in marginalized communities to seek and receive the care and support they need.

Let’s break the silence on the mental health issues present in these communities, challenge the stigma and advocate for equity, inclusion, and understanding in mental health care.

Healing is for everyone- but it starts with being seen and heard.
🧠💬 Take time this month to listen, learn, and lift the voices that too often go unheard.

06/19/2025

Mental health disparities can’t be ignored.
More than 7 million Black individuals in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition — yet stigma, lack of access, and systemic barriers continue to silence too many.

📊 The reality:
▪️ 77% of African-American youth live with diagnosed mental health disorders.
▪️ Su***de is the 2nd leading cause of death for Black youth ages 15–24.
▪️ Black girls in grades 9–12 are 60% more likely to attempt su***de than their white peers.
▪️ Poverty and inequality double the risk of serious psychological distress.

Join the conversation, end the stigma.

Learn more: https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/back-the-black

06/18/2025

June is Men's Mental Health Month 💬🟢

Real strength is speaking up. Too many men suffer in silence — it’s time to change that.

🟢 Over 6 million men in the U.S. suffer from depression each year.
(Source: Mental Health America, 2024)

Let’s break the stigma. Check in with yourself, your friends, your brothers. You are not alone.

05/20/2025

🌿 Simple Habits That Can Improve Your Mental Health 🌿

Taking small, intentional steps each day can go a long way in supporting your mental well-being. From getting quality sleep to setting boundaries around social media, even small changes can help improve your mood, focus, and emotional balance.

As Healthline puts it, “Mental health includes your psychological and social well-being. It also encompasses your emotional health, which refers to your ability to name, address, and regulate your emotions” (Raypole, 2022).

Want to learn more about how these habits can support your emotional health? Click the link to read the full article:
👉 https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/habits-to-improve-mental-health

Reference:
Raypole, C. (2022, November 22). 8 daily habits to boost mental health — and signs it may be time to get support. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/habits-to-improve-mental-health

Making a few small adjustments to your regular habits can do a lot to improve overall mental health. Get started with these 8 strategies.