Ellie Mental Health - Murfreesboro

Summer's winding down, and let's be real—change can be tough on kids. 🎒 As the school year approaches, there are lots of ways we can help them navigate the transition.

From setting routines to talking about their feelings, a little support goes a long way. You've got this, and so do they! 💪

What are some ways you're starting to prep for the school year? ⬇ Let us know in the comments below!

A lot of people think that "time heals all wounds" and we will just snap out of it eventually, but moving forward after a loss isn't so easy.

Moving forward means honoring that you have lost something or someone significant, and actually weaving it into your life's story, not just hitting the delete button. We get it-- easier said than done.

Check out our blog post all about how to navigate life while dealing with grief and loss:
https://elliementalhealth.com/navigating-grief-expert-tips-for-healing-and-processing/

When kids lose someone that they love, it’s normal to see a rollercoaster of feelings. How do we help them through this time? Swipe through to see our tips.

Need more ideas or links to each of these book recommendations? Check out the whole blog post here: https://elliementalhealth.com/how-to-help-kids-navigate-through-grief-and-loss/

Tag someone who needs to hear this message today! 🫂

Speaking up about your mental health isn’t just brave—it’s contagious. 🌟 When you share, you inspire others to do the same. Bottling up emotions? That just makes things worse. Let's break the silence together. 💬

We loved this quote from Mental Health America!

Did you know that the average teen spends 4 hours and 48 minutes on social media per day? 😳

We know that social media use isn't all bad (I mean, hey, we're here too)-- but maybe you're noticing an uptick in anxiety, comparing yourself more to others, or that the "screen time" number is just climbing to an uncomfortable height.

Deleting those apps from time to time and taking a lowkey break can work wonders for your mental health and for your overall state of well-being. 💬

Here are a few signs that a detox might be helpful and some tips for tackling it: https://elliementalhealth.com/digital-detoxing-5-signs-you-might-need-to-lowkey-unplug/

What have you found helpful when taking a much-needed social media break? 📲

When we don't talk about mental health, we let shame and misconceptions grow. Speak up, share your story, and let's change the conversation together. 💬

Wondering what your first therapy session will be like? 🤔 It’s totally normal to feel nervous as you’re approaching and anticipating that first session.

Spoiler alert: it's not as scary as you think. Our latest blog post by Amber Silva, LLMSW spills the tea on everything you can expect. Check it out and take the guesswork out of your first step to feeling better: https://elliementalhealth.com/what-to-expect-from-your-first-therapy-session/

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It's 2024, and it's time to break the silence. Seeking mental health care isn't a sign of weakness; it's a bold act of strength. Every person, in every community deserves to feel safe and supported in their mental health journey.

Let's smash the stigma and lift each other up.

A real therapist is busting the biggest myths about therapy today. Spoiler: It's probably different than what you're envisioning. 💭

Let us know what other myths you've heard about therapy in the comments ⬇️

Happy 4th, y'all! 🎆🍦🇺🇲

We hope you can take a moment to unplug, soak up some sunshine, and celebrate with your favorite people.

Listen, everybody has their days (ahem...or months ...or years).

Just like physical health, mental health exists on a spectrum, and it's TOTALLY normal to experience ups and downs from time to time. Sometime we need to take it a bit easier on ourselves-- and that doesn't mean that we aren't strong or that there's something wrong with us.

➡ If you feel like you're struggling more than usual, practice giving yourself a bit more grace, think about what coping skills fit you best, and hey, having a kicka$$ therapist and support crew can also make a huge difference.

Everyone experiences mental health struggles, and yet seeking care is still highly stigmatized in many communities.

The goal of this month is to break the stigma of seeking mental health care across all communities and make accessing quality services easier. This is crucial because:

➡️ People who identify as being two or more races (24.9%) are most likely to report any mental illness within the past year than any other race/ethnic group.

➡️ Su***de is the second leading cause of death for Indigenous and Native Americans between the ages of 10 and 34.

➡️ Research shows that only one in three Black Americans who need mental health care actually receive it.

Everyone is deserving of quality mental health care.



Source: American Psychiatry Association, SAMHSA

Pride month may be ending, but the acceptance, love, and advocacy doesn't! Tag someone who needs to hear this message! ⬇️

Looking for more ways you can celebrate all year long? Find tips from therapists, suggested queer-owned businesses to support this summer, and kid's books recs in our magazine issue:https://elliementalhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EllieMentalHealth_JuneMagazine.pdf

Psst. You can find support and acceptance year-round here at Ellie. 🐘

"But what if I don't know who I really am?!" 💭

Sometimes we are so used to masking, blending in, or serving others' needs that it feels intimidating to even think of figuring out who we really are deep inside. Believe us though, avoiding or pretending can be even more exhausting.

Let a therapist empower you on the path of discovery and self acceptance (they're really good at it). 🌈💖

Curious how a therapist is tackling some of these big questions with their kid clients? 📚🏳‍🌈

Here are a few books that our therapists recommend for talking about self-acceptance, all kinds of families, and gender identity PLUS some discussion questions in the last slide to open the convo up!

ALLY: It's what you do

Let's help create a world where everyone feels seen, cared for, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

Curious on what more you can do? Check out the full article in our magazine:https://elliementalhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EllieMentalHealth_JuneMagazine.pdf

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Relate to this? Consider this your sign to cut yourself some slack! In a world where we're constantly bombarded with stress and expectations, it's easy to become our own toughest critics.

Let's give ourselves some grace and remember: we ARE worthy of love and all the good stuff, just as we are. 🥰💖

Coming out is a deeply personal decision and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are some tips from our therapists to help you when coming out. 🌈

➡️ Looking for more? We have a whole blog post about it on our website: https://elliementalhealth.com/ellie-blog/

**Bonus points who can name that movie quote! 💚👑🐴 Comment below if you know ⬇️

PS. Please know that waiting to come out until you feel ready and comfortable is ok. We also want to acknowledge that some LGBTQIA+ folks will never be able to come out due to a lack of safety and security within their community.

You can find acceptance and support at Ellie. 🐘

Therapy isn't always about instant epiphanies and constant breakthroughs, it's about embracing the journey of self-discovery, growth, and healing. 🌱

Ever feel like your thoughts are spiraling? 🌀 Here's how to quiet them down:

Asking yourself questions like, "Is this thought realistic?" or "Is there evidence to support this thought?" or "Is this thought based on assumptions?" 🧠

💚 Next try a mindfulness technique deep breathing, doing a mind dump exercise, drawing or coloring, or

Then try redirecting or distracting your thoughts by calling a friend, or going for a walk.

What works for you? Let us know in the comments! ⬇

Real talk-- Supporting someone when they're dealing with mental health challenge can be hard. It's not always knowing the right words or actions, but sometime's it's simply about being there.

Let's keep showing up, lending an ear, and offering love without judgment. Because in those moments of struggle, our support can make all the difference. 💕

Here are some tips from one of our psychiatrists, Dr. Patty Dickmann, about how you can show up for your loved ones.

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When we say "SPMIs," we are talking about mental illnesses that are recurrent, long-lasting, and make it hard for you to do your everyday life. Examples include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.

These diagnoses are more common than you realize, AND there are numerous treatment options including medications, psychotherapy, and self-management strategies (like developing healthy routines, optimizing sleep, recognizing triggers, and learning coping skills).

If you are someone with a SPMI, you are not alone. Ellie therapists are here for you. Let's spread awareness and break that stigma. 💪

Ever feel like your brain is overheating? 😳 Try this:

1. Find a quiet place and make sure you have a pen or pencil and plenty of paper or a notebook.

2. Set a timer for five minutes. ⏰

3. Start writing down everything that comes to mind, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Write down thoughts, ideas, tasks, worries, plans, goals, reminders, or anything else that pops into your head.

4. Don't censor your thoughts or worry about organizing them at this stage. Write without pausing to analyze or judge what you're writing. The goal is to get everything out of your head and onto paper.

5. You can organize your thoughts into lists, bullet points, or short phrases if it helps you to structure your mind dump. However, don't spend too much time on formatting—focus on capturing your thoughts quickly.

6. Continue writing until your time limit is up. If you run out of things to write about, sit quietly and wait for more thoughts to come to mind.

This is called a "mind dump" exercise, and by following these steps, you can declutter your mind and gain clarity and focus on the tasks and priorities that matter most to you.

Everyone goes through moments of feeling anxious now and then. 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Sometimes it's just a passing feeling, but for others, it can stick around longer or feel more intense. Just know that it's totally normal, but if it starts getting in the way of everyday stuff, it's good to reach out to a therapist for some extra support.

Here are some common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder:
- Feeling nervous or on edge and you're not sure why
- Trouble concentrating
- Racing thoughts
- Restlessness or irritability
- Feeling panicky for no reason
- Difficulty sleeping

Anxiety disorders affect nearly 1 out of 5 adults, and therapy can be really helpful in relieving these symptoms and giving you the necessary tools to cope.

What's your favorite way to cope with anxiety? Let us know in the comments!

Shoutout to all of the bad-@$% moms out there! 💐 We see you, we appreciate you, and we believe that you deserve fields of flowers on this . 🌻

It's normal to experience fluctuations in motivation from time to time. That doesn't mean something is wrong with you-- it means you're human.

➡️ When lack of motivation becomes persistent, affecting your ability to work or enjoy things you used to, then it might indicate a diagnosis of depression or another underlying issue.

If you feel like you're struggling, a therapist can help you identify some tools for get things back on track.

Depression involves a group of symptoms beyond just lack of motivation including:
- persistent sadness
- loss of interest in activities
- changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- difficulty concentrating
- thoughts of death or su***de

If you're experiencing several of these symptoms consistently for more than two weeks, it's definitely time to seek professional help like therapy.