Grief and Loss
Holiday Season Wellness: 5 Ways to Show Empathy
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for many. But for some of us, it can stir up difficult emotions, unresolved grief or complicated family dynamics. It’s important to be mindful of the fact that not everyone is going to experience the holidays the same way. Offering a little extra empathy and…
Read MoreFinding Comfort in Grief: The Power of Support Groups
Grief is a deeply personal journey, often accompanied by feelings of isolation and confusion. When we lose someone we love, it can feel as though the world suddenly shrinks, leaving us alone with our sorrow. This is where grief support groups step in, playing a crucial role in helping individuals navigate their pain and begin…
Read MoreBuilding Safer Communities: The Impact of Cure Violence Atlanta
Envisioning a World Without Violence In the realm of gun violence prevention, the analogy of violence to a disease holds significant parallels. Just like a disease, violence can spread rapidly and uncontrollably, affecting individuals and communities. The repercussions mirror those of a chronic illness with long-lasting and destructive effects on its victims and those around…
Read MoreEmbracing A Season of Change: CHRIS 180 President & CEO Announces Retirement
When I walked into the offices of CHRIS 180 (then Georgia CHARLEE) in 1987, I planned to stay for eight years until my daughter entered college, then I intended to return to private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. But within three months I knew that I was where God had prepared me to…
Read MorePreventing Suicide: Social Connections Can Make a Difference
Suicide, like mental health seems to continue to carry a negative stigma around the country, where people say they are fine but are not. Some fear the labels others might put on them for seeking out therapy. While we know neither is the reality, we need to start having frank conversations about our feelings, getting…
Read More12 Tips for Coping with Stress
Are you one of the 29% of adults who made a New Year’s resolution related to your mental health? Or are you among the 25% expected to feel MORE stress in 2023? Indeed, a lot can cause stress in our lives – continued inflation, increased cost of living and an uncertain job market. I could…
Read MoreThe Ripple Effect of Suicide on Children
The death of a parent is a traumatic event that can leave a lasting impact on those who have lost their loved ones. Losing a parent to suicide can be even more traumatic than losing a parent from natural causes. Studies from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh show that losing a…
Read More180 Change: Jocelyn Shares Her Story
At just 12-years-old, Jocelyn had her first encounter with CHRIS 180. Her grandmother was looking for help after taking in Jocelyn and her brother, in the wake of their mother’s issues with substance use. Knowing that both children had experienced significant trauma, the family turned to our Keeping Families Together program. Jocelyn’s involvement with CHRIS…
Read MoreAn Open Letter to Those Who Served in Afghanistan, From Those Who Served in Iraq
Dearest Women & Men Who Served in Afghanistan, My heart bends, twists, and breaks for you. It bends for those who left marriages and relationships in the pastel poppy fields of Helmand. It twists for those who made personal puddles in mud in Korengal. And breaks for those who knew in their core that their…
Read MoreEmotional Trauma: How Post-Traumatic Stress Impacts Our Brains
Often when the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is used, it is associated with members of the military, especially war veterans. As times change and people become more familiar with trauma and its impact on each of our lives, we are starting to recognize just how the stress connected to past and present events impacts…
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