There’s a picture of my mom I keep coming back to-she’s smiling broadly at the camera while my little niece runs past her. My mom smiled with her whole face- it was big, warm, and always genuine. It’s not a Christmas photo, but somehow it feels like one. Every December, when the lights go up and the world leans into warmth and togetherness, that picture finds its way back to me. She passed away eleven days before Christmas, and ever since, the season has held both a soft glow

I grew up knowing the sound of boots on tile floors before dawn. The smell of starch and the weight of expectation hung in the air long before I understood what either meant. My childhood was painted in shades of olive drab and desert tan—structured, disciplined, and proud. The Army wasn’t just my family’s job; it was our way of life. You learn early on in a military household that time is a suggestion only if you enjoy push-ups. You also learn that “yes, sir” and “no, ma’am”

In the military and in law enforcement, we carry more than gear, radios, or rank, we carry the weight of what we’ve seen, what we’ve lost, and who we’ve tried to save. The statistic “22 a day” is often mentioned when talking about veteran suicides, but those of us who’ve lived it know it’s not just a number. It represents sons and daughters, moms and dads, husbands and wives, people who once stood tall in uniform and now struggle silently in the shadows. For those of us in l

October in southeastern Ohio has a way of wrapping us up in all the things that make community, well, community.  From trunk-or-treats...

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Walk through Marietta, Zanesville, McConnelsville, or Gallipolis, and you’ll see the heart of Southeastern Ohio. Neighbors wave from...

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Every year, on August 31, communities around the world pause to remember the lives lost to overdose, to honor the grief of those left...

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Planting Seeds and Tearing Down Stigma in Appalachia: A Personal Reflection on Minority Mental Health I was born and raised in Morgan...

The Elephant at Happy Hour: Alcohol and Mental Health Well friends, it’s that time of year again—no, not “Christmas in July” sales...

As men, we are often asked to help when a need arises.  Helping a friend to move into a new home, helping your partner to carry groceries...

Welcome to June—the month where the grills fire up and dad jokes hit peak cringe (one of my favs-Why did the scarecrow become a...

Let’s start with the obvious: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and if you didn’t know that, now you do. You’re welcome. No confetti...

Grief and Giggles: Yes, Both Can Coexist (Seriously.) Let’s start with the obvious: grief sucks. It doesn’t knock politely. It doesn’t...

April marks both National Stress Awareness Month and National Counseling Awareness Month, making it the perfect opportunity to reflect on...

March is Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of social workers who support individuals, families, and...

As we enter February, a month often associated with love and kindness, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the importance of extending...

👋 How’s your mental health today? Remember, it’s okay to pause and check in with yourself. 💛 #LetsTalk #MentalWellnessMonth January...

To find a wealth of resources for dealing with COVID, visit: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home