Authentic Mental Health

08/29/2026

Anxiety is not always the enemy. It is part of our body’s built-in protection system, designed to help us notice possible danger, prepare for challenges, and respond when something needs attention.

The goal is not to fear anxiety or let it control every decision. Instead, try to listen with curiosity: What is this feeling trying to tell me? Is there a real problem I can address right now, or is my mind predicting a danger that may not happen?

Anxiety may be asking for rest, support, preparation, or a boundary. But when it becomes constant, overwhelming, or keeps you from living your life, it may be signaling a need for additional support.

You do not have to fight every anxious thought. You can notice it, ground yourself, check the facts, and choose your next step with compassion.

08/28/2026

Small daily habits may seem simple, but their impact can grow over time. Rather than aiming for a complete life overhaul, choose one small action that feels realistic and repeat it with patience. Progress is built through consistency—not perfection.

Some examples of small, daily habits may be a few minutes of movement, a consistent bedtime routine, journaling, a moment of mindfulness to help create more structure and support emotional well-being.

What is YOUR daily non-negotiable that helps set the tone for the day?

08/26/2026

Apparently, it's National Dog Day! What do dogs and mental health have to do with one another???

Dogs offer more than companionship—they can support mental well-being through routine, physical activity, social connection, and unconditional affection. Even a walk, a quiet moment of petting, or a playful break can help ease stress and bring a sense of comfort.

Today, we celebrate the dogs who make our lives healthier, happier, and a little more joyful. Post a picture of the dog in your life and your favorite benefit of having a dog!

08/22/2026

Postpartum Psychosis awareness starts with understanding when it can occur and knowing the signs.

Signs can include:
• Significant changes in sleep
• High energy, racing thoughts, or rapid speech
• Depression, anxiety, or numbness
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Paranoia or suspicious thoughts
• Delusions or hallucinations

The more accurate information we share about Postpartum Psychosis, the better prepared families, support people, and communities can be to recognize when someone may need immediate care.

Let’s not stop the conversation.

Tag someone who should know this information, or share this post to your story to help increase awareness and access to accurate, supportive information about Postpartum Psychosis.

🔗 You can also explore PSI’s educational materials here: https://loom.ly/XmBU0wM

💙 For help, support, and additional Postpartum Psychosis resources, visit: https://loom.ly/l-61Dso

The more we understand, the better prepared we can be to recognize when help is needed and connect pregnant and postpartum families with appropriate support.

Postpartum Psychosis is a medical emergency. Do not wait to get help. Call 911, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262, or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

08/17/2026

The myth of the "more flexible job".

Researchers asked female doctors married to male lawyers: "whose work is mroe flexible?".

>>>>> the doctors said theirs was.

Researchers asked female lawyers married to male doctors the same question.

>>>>>> the lawyers said theirs was more flexible.

This was never about the job. It's about the invisible burden of who makes their career flexible. This is a quiet dynamic, but it can create real resentment and strain in relationships. Naming it is an important first step toward sharing the load more equitably.

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

Breastfeeding grief is real, and it deserves to be named.

For some, it shows up when feeding doesn’t go as planned—when latch is painful, supply is low, or medical complications interrupt what was hoped to be a natural experience. For others, it appears in the quiet moments after deciding to stop, even when that decision was necessary, thoughtful, and right.

Grief in this space is often complicated. It can coexist with relief, guilt, pride, exhaustion, and love. You might mourn the experience you imagined, the connection you hoped would feel different, or the expectations—your own or others’—that didn’t align with reality.

It is important to recognize that feeding your baby is not a measure of your worth as a parent. The care, responsiveness, and presence you offer matter far more than the method of feeding. Still, that understanding does not erase the emotional weight many carry.

Breastfeeding grief is often invisible. Grief does not mean failure. It means something mattered.

We are joining Mama Bear Family Care tonight at 6:30pm for a FREE online support group for breastfeeding grief!

08/07/2026

Sleep and Mental Health

Sleep and mental health are closely connected.

Poor sleep can worsen:

- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability

Improving sleep hygiene can significantly improve emotional regulation.

08/07/2026

The case of Lindsay Clancy has triggered many throughout our nation. Reading through these journal entries, what stands out most is the voice of a mother who was deeply engaged, deeply concerned, and struggling in ways that are painfully familiar to many.

“I have crazy brain fog. I feel like I can't make a plan. I live moment to moment waiting for the next nap time.”
“I'm really worried about going back to work and not being able to function with the brain fog.”

These entries reflect cognitive overload and exhaustion—hallmarks of postpartum struggles that are often minimized or misunderstood. They also showcase the cost of a country not having paid maternity and paternity leaves.

“I feel completely disconnected from my baby.”
“I feel like I'm going through the motions every day.”
- “I'm completely overwhelmed trying to take care of the kids, I'm drowning every day.”
- “I'm desperate to get a mental break from taking care of everyone.”
- “I feel incredibly sad and guilty about not breastfeeding anymore…”
“I resent my older kids for not being able to have first baby moments with this baby.”

Even these thoughts—often accompanied by shame—are deeply human. They reflect grief, pressure, and the impossible standards many mothers place on themselves.

Taken together, these entries mirror what so many mothers have felt, thought, or even written privately but may never say out loud. Recognizing these words as familiar does not minimize the gravity of what happened. But it does challenge the idea that these thoughts are rare or that they signal a lack of love. In many cases, they are signs of a mother who is suffering—and who needs support, understanding, and care.