Affiliated Clinical Services

06/09/2026

☀️ School’s Out: Helping Your Family Transition Into Summer Break ☀️

The shift from the school year to summer can be exciting—but it can also bring challenges for both parents and kids. Changes in routine, increased time together, and balancing work, childcare, and activities can create stress for the whole family.

Here are a few ways to make the transition smoother:

🌻 Keep Some Structure
Children often do best when they know what to expect. Maintaining consistent wake-up times, meal times, and bedtimes can provide a sense of stability.

🎨 Create a Flexible Daily Routine
Consider having general blocks for activities, outdoor time, chores, screen time, and downtime.

🧠 Prepare for Big Feelings
Transitions can bring lots of different emotions. Encourage children to talk about their feelings and validate their experiences.

🚲 Prioritize Movement and Outdoor Time
Physical activity can improve mood, reduce stress, and help regulate energy levels for everyone.

📱 Set Screen Time Expectations Early
Discuss family expectations before conflicts arise, and then be consistent and follow through.

💛 Lower the Pressure
Summer doesn't have to be packed with expensive vacations, camps, or Pinterest-worthy activities. Meaningful connection often comes from simple moments together.

🤝 Share Responsibilities
Age-appropriate chores can help children build confidence, contribute to the household, and maintain a sense of routine.

🌿 Make Time for Yourself
Parents need care too! Even small moments to recharge can help you show up more calmly and effectively for your family.

Remember: A successful summer doesn't mean every day goes perfectly. Focus on connection, flexibility, and giving yourself grace as everyone adjusts to a new routine.

✨ What is one thing your family is looking forward to this summer?

06/03/2026

June is Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

Check out the websites for more information about local Pride events in Wisconsin and to connect with others!

➡️ PrideFest in Milwaukee is coming up this weekend- June 4-6 --> https://www.pridefest.com/

➡️ https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/events/lgbtq-pride-events-in-wisconsin

➡️ https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2026/04/08/pride-wisconsin-2026-events

06/02/2026

And just like that, it is June! There are many important topics to be aware of this month. If any of these are of interest for you, click on the website for links with more information.

Month

-LGBTQ+ Pride Month

-Men’s Health Month

-PTSD Awareness Month

-National Immigrant Heritage Month

Weeks and Days

-National Say Something Nice Day (June 1)

-National Men’s Health Week (June 8-14)

-Juneteenth (June 19)

-National PTSD Awareness Day (June 27)

05/28/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month Tip #7-Ground Yourself Using Nature!

For anyone who likes to be outside, this is for you. One mindfulness skill, grounding, is when you use your environment to bring your awareness back to the present moment. You can use nature to do this. Although research is still growing in this area, people have reported noticeable health benefits from doing connecting with the earth.

Here are 4 ways to ground yourself with nature:

-Walk barefoot in the grass, sand, moss, etc. : notice the feelings and sensations that come up as you walk

-Garden: pair your breath with the movements; notice the textures; practice gratitude for the plants, sun, etc.

-Forest bathe (not actually taking a bath): it is completely immersing yourself in nature, going slow, and sitting in silence. Focus on the sounds you hear, practice deep breathing, notice the colors around you

-Meditate at sunrise or sunset: Face the sun and stand barefoot, lie in the grass, or sit crisscross

If you aren't quite ready for those steps yet, you can start with practicing mindfulness where you feel comfortable. Try opening a window, sitting on a blanket outside, etc.

By feeling the earth.

05/26/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month Tip #6- Crisis Resources!

Mental health is for everyone. There is hope, and there is help! You don't have to figure this out alone. See the image for a list of crisis resources local and nationwide.

05/22/2026

Affiliated Clinical Services will be closed on Monday, May 25. Have a safe holiday weekend!

05/21/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month Tip #5- Be in Tune with Your Body!

Physical health and mental health are very closely connected. Our bodies can send signals and warning signs that indicate we are feeling off, mentally. We might feel stomach trouble, aches and pains, a fast heartbeat, or chest tightness, and we might miss the signals and not realize that something is going on. These physical feelings are real, and they are often the first way that ongoing stress, anxiety, or depression shows up.

Some ways to reduce stress include:

-deep breathing

-stretching

-drinking water

-limiting caffeine

-tracking symptoms

Read the article for more information for how our gut, headaches, body pain, and cardiovascular symptoms may be connected to our mental health and strategies to use:
https://mhanational.org/resources/is-your-body-sending-warning-signs-about-your-mental-health/

05/19/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month Tip #4- Express Yourself with I-Statements

An I-statement is a communication skill used to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs without blaming or criticizing others. It shifts the focus onto yourself and your experiences rather than on blaming the other person. This can decrease the chance of the other person getting defensive or shutting down.

Give them a try next time you need to express your emotions!

05/19/2026

UPDATED JOB DESCRIPTION AND LINK:

➡️ Affiliated Clinical Services is Hiring a Psychiatric Registered Nurse!

-Description: The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in mental health nursing, combined with excellent patient assessment skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Some tasks include: monitor voicemails and return patient calls; administer treatments (psychotropic medications, injections); respond to and manage crises; collaborate with prescribers and other healthcare professionals; provide education to patients and families; complete prior authorizations.

-Schedule
-36 hours per week
-Monday & Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
-Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
-Opportunity to pick up additional hours and provide coverage on Fridays as needed

-Team Structure

Our nursing staff supports five psychiatric prescribers:
-3 Psychiatrists (MDs)
-2 Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers (APNPs)

-Pay: Based on experience. Range 62,000-87,000

-Benefits: 401k, dental insurance, health insurance, health savings account, life insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plan

Here is the link for the entire job description and more details:
https://www.indeed.com/job/registered-nurse-psychiatric-c89eacf9045da295

Apply through the link or please pass along the information if you know someone who may be a good fit!

05/15/2026

💚 Mental Health Awareness Month- Tip #3 Mindfulness Meditation

I am guessing you have heard of the term meditation before. Maybe you've even tried a 20 minute video on YouTube, got frustrated because you couldn't focus, and then turned it off.

Meditation is a practice where you focus your attention on the present moment while acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judgement. It has many benefits, including reducing stress, being more aware of how you are doing in the moment, lowering blood pressure, and improving overall wellbeing.

When you are first learning how to meditate, it can help to start small. Start with practicing for 1-2 minutes and then work your way up.

1) Start off by finding a calming and quiet space

2) Find your anchor- focus on your breath (noticing your chest rise and fall with the breath), a sound (relaxing music or a bell/chime), or repeat a mantra to yourself (ex. "I am calm")

3) Gently refocus- your mind WILL wander. That is okay! It takes practice to be more present. When you do notice your thoughts wander, gently bring it back to your anchor.

4) Be consistent- you can strengthen the skill by practicing meditation at least 1x a day