Press & Media

Cognitive reappraisal is defined as “reframing your thoughts about a situation to put it into perspective.” It’s a way to overcome fear. But a recent University of Toronto study found this particular coping mechanism can do more harm than good during the pandemic. People were successful in reducing their fears surrounding the threat of COVID-19, but were consequently less likely to follow safety recommendations—putting their physical health in jeopardy.

Aaron Rodwin (LMSW) is a social worker at Humantold. He shared his thoughts on the findings, saying that the study "highlights the complexity of psychological ‘trade-offs’ that are associated with benefits and costs related to our emotional wellbeing in the context of a global pandemic.”

Learn more in this article from Verywell.

It’s important to remember that as a friend or family member, it’s never your job to “fix” anyone, but there are steps you can take to help loved ones when they’re facing mental hardships. In this THE/THIRTY article, Fatemah Dhirani (LMHC) explains the value of learning the specifics of what causes a person's stress and anxiety. The power of listening is transformative for both parties. “It is important to ask someone about the type of support they need, as it might be different from what you need. It is easy to assume that what helps us can also help someone else,” Dhirani shares.

Remember, friends and family aren’t healthcare professionals. It’s okay to gently suggest therapy for those close to you. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself—it's about matching your support with their unique needs.

Get the full story in this THE/THIRTY article. 

In this USA Today article, Christina Jeffrey, a licensed mental health counselor at Humantold discusses the essentials of easing back into work life after a vacation.

People often think they’re supposed to feel ready to go back to the daily grind when they return from time off. But Christina Jeffrey (LMHC) reminds us that this isn’t always the case, and it’s okay for people to feel anxiety and mixed emotions about going back to their jobs. “It’s important that we allow space to slow down and rest, so we have the energy needed to feel ready to go back to work,” she says. 

There are a variety of steps you can take to feel relaxed and rejuvenated after a vacation. “We often put a lot of pressure on ourselves—we’re like, I’m gonna unplug, I’m gonna relax—and it almost becomes like another thing on a to-do list. So, we don’t really get the space to enjoy ourselves,” she adds.

Get the full story from USA Today.

Janay Bailey, MS, is a counselor at Humantold, and she shares why Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is so important for therapists and patients in an interview with Psychiatric Times.

With mental health, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities face unique challenges while pursuing therapy services. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and Janay Bailey (MHC-LP) says it’s about breaking stigmas surrounding mental illness while recognizing the privilege and disparities in therapy delivery. Understanding treatment gaps will help to grow behavioral health professionals’ knowledge of BIPOC communities’ needs—supporting people to feel more comfortable finding impactful treatment.  

Janay identifies essential concepts that clinicians should focus on to make mental health resources more equitable and diverse. 

Watch Janay’s full interview in Psychiatric Times.