Riverhome Psychological Services

10/16/2021

Depression and schizophrenia are noted as conditions with higher risk of mortality during COVID.

The CDC added depression and schizophrenia to its underlying conditions list, further proving that mental health is health.

01/08/2021

This is great news!

Q***r victims of domestic violence are finally protected by law in all 50 states after a historic court ruling in North Carolina.

12/09/2020

Additional mental health resources are available to Montanans at such a critical time. COVID is impacting all of us. These resources can help folks in crisis and are likely good options for folks whose schedules make attending regular therapy appointments tricky. Healthcare workers, first responders, teachers... they're all under a lot of stress right now.

These hotlines are meant to support folks in a variety of situations. You don't have to be suicidal to call them. You don't even need to be the person in crisis to call them. They'll talk you through whatever's going on, offer up referrals and recommendations, and generally help see you through your situation as best they can.

I also recommend the Crisis Text Line. Text "Home" to 741-741 (or in Montana, text "MT" to talk to a provider in Montana) to get started. This is a handy alternative to voice-based hotlines when texting is preferred or when talking to someone on the phone is unsafe.

MONTANA -- Governor Steve Bullock today announced a new crisis counseling hotline funded by a $1.6 million federal grant is now available to aid Montanans struggling with their mental health due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. “We know Montanans in every corner of t...

12/02/2020

I have been thinking about how I want to use this professional space. I have been considering what information and events to share and what message(s) I want to communicate professionally. And of course there’s the anxiety of the ever important “first post.”

But today, after reading Elliot’s announcement, this just felt like the right place to start.

I see several media outlets and articles handling this announcement pretty well overall, but I’ve also encountered a few folks struggling with it, so I thought I would use my space here to briefly talk about “dead names” and “deadnaming.”

A “dead name” (sometimes “deadname”) may also be referred to as a “birth name” or a “given name.” This is the name a Trans person was previously known by—often what is on their birth certificate. Once you know a person’s new name or preferred name, it is rude and offensive to continue to use their dead name. They may continue to use their dead name for legal reasons, but that does not give you permission to do so.

It would be convenient of me to reference Elliot’s dead name here as an example, and some articles are using the “actor formally known as...” approach to be informative. I instead invite you to visit Elliot’s page yourself or search them on IMDB, which has already updated Page’s bio and pronouns.

“Deadnaming” is using a person’s dead name after you know their new name. Now, folks make mistakes and may unintentionally refer to someone by their dead name. It happens. When it does, own it, adjust, apologize, and grow. Lots of folks use preferred names, middle names, or nicknames routinely and we adjust to those just fine.

Intentionally deadnaming someone is hurtful and offensive. It is also likely to trigger distress in folks. Just don’t do it.

On an individual level, when a Trans person tells you their name, celebrate it. They trust you enough to share that information with you. You might be the first one or the only one they’ve shared that with.

Be patient with yourself as you adjust to this new information. Ask questions as needed. It is your responsibility to adjust, not theirs.

And if you’re stuck not knowing how to respond, might I recommend:

“Thank you [name you were just given]. My pronouns are [whatever you use...mine are he/him, for example]. What are your pronouns?”

09/05/2020