Lantern Counseling

10/14/2026

𝓘𝓷𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓭𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂

10/13/2026

𝔼𝔻𝕌ℂ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝕋𝕌𝔼𝕊𝔻𝔸𝕐:

The month of October is National Depression Awareness month. Each Tuesday of this month we will be sharing a different coping skill you can use to help with depressive symptoms. If you find this skill would he helpful for others, please share! The more people know, the more awareness we all have.

This weeks coping skill: Socializing and utilizing your social supports

You may feel like a burden to others when you’re experiencing depression. But this feeling is most likely a symptom of your depression. Your friends and family want to be there for you, just like you would want to be there for them if the roles were reversed.

Research suggests that it’s more helpful to talk to trusted loved ones than to isolate yourself when you’re dealing with depression. If you don’t feel like going out or having someone over, try a phone call or video chat. It may hold you over until you’re ready to socialize in person.

Examples of things you can do to use social coping skills:

1. Building emotional support:
-Reaching out to a friend to vent or share good news.
-Writing a heartfelt letter or email to someone you care about.
-Joining a support group for shared experiences, such as parenting, grief, or chronic illness.

2. Engaging in community:
-Volunteering at a local shelter or food bank to give back and connect with others.
-Participating in group fitness classes or recreational sports.
-Attending book clubs or crafting groups to bond over shared interests.

3. Simple connections:
-Hosting a casual get-together with friends or family.
-Taking a pet to a dog park, where you can meet other pet owners.
-Chatting with coworkers during lunch breaks to foster camaraderie.

Information came for this post came from, this website has many more ideas you could use: https://www.gentleobservations.com/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-8-types-of-coping-skills?srsltid=AU7gw4V2VJ4jO8YEoq9yFDB_nq_xi1DkJ89mM5Irs2s3ZkLm0_ponwIL

10/12/2026

ＡＷＡＲＥＮＥＳＳ ＭＯＮＤＡＹ：

October is recognized as Depression Awareness Month each year. The purpose is to increase understanding, decrease stereotypes, and help educate on how depression and other mental health issues impact people.

This post if for the teens or parents of teens:

Being a teenager can be tough, but it shouldn’t feel hopeless. If you have been feeling sad most of the time for a few weeks or longer and you’re not able to concentrate or do the things you used to enjoy, talk to a trusted adult about depression.

We see many teens come to therapy and often-times all the changes they are experiencing in life can cause some deep depressive symptoms. One thing you can do is knowing the signs of depression. This will help because if you see a teen who is showing signs of depression, you can talk to them about the help there is if they are in need. You can advocate for change for them.

The article linked below shares ideas of how to recognize the symptoms of depression in teens:
https://vailhealthfoundation.org/news/how-to-recognize-depression-in-children-and-teens/?msclkid=f090006739d515ba59706ad8d1c67d63&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=VHF%20-%20News%20(National)&utm_term=Signs%20of%20depression%20in%20children&utm_content=Signs%20Of%20Depression%20In%20Children%20(NPM%20Content)

10/08/2026

𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑺𝑻 𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑻𝑯𝑼𝑹𝑺𝑫𝑨𝒀:

Each Thursday we are going to post A FUN FACT about one of our fabulous therapists here at Lantern Counseling.
If you read these posts and find this therapist would be a good fit for you, please feel free to email or call us at [email protected]; (616)647-5021.

We have two office locations in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, so if you are seeking in person sessions, please ensure to look at location of where the therapist you are interested in is located. All of our therapists here at Lantern offer teletherapy appointments as an option for sessions.

Today's Spotlight Therapist:
Jerry Richardson, LLMSW
Traverse City Office

"I love sports. I played college football, coach youth flag football here at the YMCA, I play in a softball league year around when there is no snow on the ground, and always up to date with NFL news. Sports and being active are such good ways to cope that I do enjoy speaking with my clients about their active interests in sessions. See article below to see connections between our mental health and sports."

https://scienceinsights.org/how-sports-affect-mental-health-benefits-and-risks/

Sports can ease depression, sharpen focus, and improve sleep, but they can also harm mental health. Here’s what the science actually shows.

10/07/2026

𝓘𝓷𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓭𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂:

10/06/2026

Some seasons of life require a day by day approach. It’s the seasons where it’s not easy to just surge forward to the next thing, to put your head down and just lean in to the grind….there are seasons that require a deliberate slowing down to make it through. A step by step. A find the good in the smallest of things because it’s the hope that keeps you going type season. And when we tune our eyes to good…we tend to find it, however small or seemingly insignificant. 💛✨🍁

10/06/2026

𝔼𝔻𝕌ℂ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝕋𝕌𝔼𝕊𝔻𝔸𝕐:

The month of October is National Depression Awareness month. Each Tuesday of this month we will be sharing a different coping skill you can use to help with depressive symptoms. If you find this skill would he helpful for others, please share! The more people know, the more awareness we all have.

This weeks coping skill: Opposite Action

Every strong emotion comes with an action urge (like wanting to hide when you feel ashamed or lash out when you feel angry). When your emotion does not fit the actual facts of the situation, or when acting on the urge will make things worse, doing the opposite breaks the self-reinforcing emotional loop. Changing your physical behavior changes your internal emotional state.

For example, when feeling Sadness/Depression: The urge is to isolate, stay in bed, or do nothing. The opposite action is to get active, engage, and connect with others.

Take a look at the picture to see how you can start using this coping skill. Give it a whirl!

10/05/2026

ＡＷＡＲＥＮＥＳＳ ＭＯＮＤＡＹ：

October is recognized as Depression Awareness Month each year. The purpose is to increase understanding, decrease stereotypes, and help educate on how depression and other mental health issues impact people.

This month of October we will share different ways you can engage in this cause and help spread awareness.

Read the article linked below to learn more about this awareness month, including statistics and ways you can start raising awareness.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/depression-awareness-month

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

Some of the ways you can protect your mental health this month! 🖤