Love Starts Within: A Valentine’s Day Reflection on Self-Love and Mental Wellbeing
Valentine's Day is often associated with expressions of love toward others, but what...
When Chronic Pain Becomes Too Much: Understanding the Link Between Physical and Mental Health
It’s something we’ve all experienced before: that sluggish, exhausted, “don’t want to get out of bed this morning” feeling. Maybe you had a late night or are fighting off a cold. Maybe it’s just the dreary weather. You have things to do, though, so you drag yourself up and start your day. For many people, this kind of morning is the best they will ever feel … the most they could hope for from their day. This is what it’s like living with physical illness and chronic pain, and they can have a significantly negative effect on a person’s mental health.
2024 Legislative Priorities: Guild’s Battle for Mental Health System Transformation
Each passing year, our legislative focus remains steadfast on transforming our mental health and housing support systems into a comprehensive spectrum of care. Our aim is to make this continuum accessible and sustainable for the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. We envision a scenario where Minnesotans facing mental health challenges or homelessness can access the right resources at the right time. As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session in 2024, three key system changes stand out as vital for the welfare of those we serve and the success of our mission.
A Legacy of Giving: The O’Gara Family
When we broke ground on our new Crisis and Recovery Center in West Saint Paul on October 3, 2023, we did so with backing from dozens of companies and individuals in the public and private sector as well as several other generous donors. One of these donors was the O’Gara family, who made the largest single donation in Guild history to furnish and operationalize the center’s first year.
Setting Your New Year’s Resolution: Keep, Transform, Eliminate
New Year’s resolutions can be a great opportunity to go into the post-holiday season ready for positive change, but it’s important to be mindful when setting your goals. If you choose a resolution that’s especially difficult to achieve or isn’t fully in your control, you run the risk of disappointing yourself and feeling down as you go into the new year. There’s a reason why nearly half of people who make New Year’s resolutions break them by the end of January!
Elevating Voices: Tina
As a kid, Tina loved coloring, sports, and going to the arcade. Her curiosity and sense of adventure earned her the nickname “Curious George” from her family and loved ones. Most of all, Tina remembers that when she was happy, her joy could not be contained. But when she was mad, she got really mad.
Elevating Voices: Laura
Many people living with mental illness can point to a time in their lives before struggle, before heartache … a time when it felt like everything was going their way and nothing could go wrong. For our client Laura, that “before” time included a marriage of nearly a decade to her high school sweetheart and being a stay-at-home mom to three beautiful children.
Elevating Voices: Sara
As we know here at Guild, mental health recovery is rarely linear. It’s more often a roller coaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, ebbs and flows. The same was true for our client Sara’s experience.
How to Support People Experiencing Homelessness During the Cold Winter Months
In 2022, a total of 7,917 people were recorded in Minnesota as experiencing homelessness, and more than 22 percent of these individuals were reported as unsheltered. Here’s what to know and how to help.
The Importance of Giving Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can make you feel happier and less stressed. Even though each person’s health and care are different, research has found that besides reducing stress, gratitude can also help reduce feelings of sadness, worry, problems with long-lasting pain, and the chances of getting sick. To see why gratitude can be so important, our clients are the experts. One of our clients, Maxine, took a moment to share her wisdom.
Social Anxiety: Helping Everyone During the Holidays
The holiday season is here, and with it comes parties, work events, community gatherings, and family get-togethers. These can be exciting for many people, but for some, it can be tough to enter a crowded room, talk to new people, or deal with family, travel, or gifts. The reality is that instead of it being the most wonderful time of year, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, sadness, or even both.
Breaking Ground, Breaking Down Barriers in West St. Paul
Seasonal Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a disorder that causes changes in mood with the changing seasons. SAD is classified as a type of major depressive disorder that often gets worse in the fall and winter.
Seasonal Depression: 7 Things to Do as the Weather Changes
Seasonal Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a disorder that causes changes in mood with the changing seasons. SAD is classified as a type of major depressive disorder that often gets worse in the fall and winter.
Creating Spaces and Inviting Healing: A Q&A with Marika Reese, M.Ed., LSW
A former Guild mental health practitioner, Marika Reese, M.Ed., LSW, is now a Guild...
Youth ACT: Supporting The Teen Mental Health Crisis in Minnesota
What is Guild’s Youth ACT Program? Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services...
Five Things to Know About Parenting a Teen Living with Mental Illness
If you or someone you know is parenting a teen living with mental illness, here are five things to know about how it shows up, and how you can help.
Overcoming Barriers to Housing: Growing Our Reach in Anoka County
On July 27th, 2023, the Anoka County Board unanimously renewed its contract with Guild,...
Mental Health Challenges and Opportunities in the Mexican-American Community: A Q&A with Daniel Diaz
Stigma, shame and self-doubt are barriers many face in their mental health journey....
Understanding the Link: How Social Determinants of Health Affect Mental Health
We know that social determinants of health significantly influence mental health outcomes, affecting individuals in various aspects of their lives. Today, we’re exploring the interplay between social determinants and mental well-being, along with the work our teams are doing to better understand this critical connection.
The Healing Power of Art Therapy
The Guild Community Support Program (CSP) Member Center is a special and safe place for people on their journey toward mental health and personal growth. The Dakota County drop-in center provides individuals living with mental illness with access to a range of supportive services and features recreation, community, and connection with others.