Children’s Awareness Month

By: Kariana Jude

The month of June is not only PRIDE month but Children’s Awareness Month too! Children’s Awareness Month focuses on the joy of childhood and bringing awareness to bigger issues relating to children.

It is important to celebrate the good that children bring to the world, but it is important to focus on the hardships they can face and what we can do to help as well. Some of the hardships that can affect children can include but are not limited to poverty, abuse, neglect, and trauma. 

5 facts about hardships that children could face:

  1. At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. 

  2. In 2019, 1,840 children passed away from abuse and neglect in the United States alone. 

  3. Two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by the age of 16.

  4. A traumatic event can lead to deficits in language development and abstract reasoning skills. 

  5. The United Nations estimates that 385 million children are living in extreme poverty. 

How can we help? 

There are so many different things that we can do to help our future generations! One thing we can do is to help empower the youth to be and learn about themselves. This can foster a healthy and supportive relationship with the child while letting them grow into themselves. Another way to help is by knowing local resources that can help and support children by building a community (schools, programs, clubs, etc.) Lastly, since children are the future, we can help foster and instill confidence, creativity, a support system and community, and positive self-esteem. 

How to participate in Children’s Awareness Month:

  1. Become an advocate for children 

  2. Donate to local or national causes to help children

  3. Volunteer in your community

  4. Educate yourself and others on Children’s Awareness Month

https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma

https://nationaltoday.com/childrens-awareness-month/#:~:text=Children's%20Awareness%20Month%20takes%20place,June'%20relates%20to%20'children%3F


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5 Covert Signs Someone Might Have an Eating Disorder

Refusal to Eat With Others/Making Excuses for Not Eating

One of the more noticeable symptoms of a restrictive eating disorder can be recognizing that a person isn’t eating as much as they should during normal meal times or making up excuses for why they can’t finish their meal. However, it’s not always that noticeable. When you’re beginning to suspect that a friend or loved one might have a restrictive eating disorder, notice how they engage with meal times and snacking.

“Body Checking”

Body Checking is “when a person seeks information about their shape, weight, or appearance”. Some of this is normal behavior and most people look at themselves and what they look like from time to time. Body Checking becomes a disordered behavior that might point to signs of a larger problem with an eating disorder when you begin to notice a person doing it much more frequently and obsessively.

Feeling Nervous About Not Exercising

Extreme obsession with whether they’ve gotten to the gym is another covert way that an eating disorder might be at play. If there’s general emotional distress around missing one day of working out — the compensatory behavior of an eating disorder, to control weight or shape by over-exercising might be another way this person is engaging in disordered behavior.

Wearing ClothingThat is Too Big/Doesn’t Fit

Sometimes people who are actively losing weight might try and hide this by hiding the true amount of how much weight they’ve been losing. Moreover, there’s also the element that people with an eating disorder may not really understand what their body size is. Additionally pointing to an eating disorder.

Not Being Hungry During the Day

Do you often notice that your friend is not eating during the day but notices their hunger cues at night? Restriction isn’t just something for a restrictive disorder. Those with Binge Eating Disorder often engages in restriction during the day which leads to binging at night.

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Celebrating PRIDE Month: Embracing Love, Equality, and Inclusion

By: Jaime Thornley

Welcome to the colorful and empowering world of PRIDE Month! Each June, we witness a vibrant display of solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

While the rainbow merchandise and parades are delightful, it is crucial to recognize that PRIDE encompasses far more than what meets the eye. It is a time to celebrate the rich history, honor the pioneers who fought for our rights, and stand up for the beautiful diversity that exists within the LGBTQ+ community. As a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, I am thrilled to share with you the significance of PRIDE Month and why it matters now more than ever.

Let us journey back to the historic Stonewall Riots of June 1969 in New York City

where courageous LGBTQ+ individuals rose against the prevalent police brutality they faced. This pivotal event ignited a powerful revolution, inspiring the community to embrace their true selves and demand equality. From that point on, the seeds of PRIDE were sown. Since June 1970, pride marches and celebrations have flourished, symbolizing the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights worldwide while also serving as a platform to advocate for ongoing change and inclusivity.

PRIDE Month matters deeply because it provides an opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities today.

This year, it is even more crucial for advocates and allies to raise their voices. The Human Rights Campaign's declaration of a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people within the United States signifies a pressing need for unity. With over 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being passed across the nation, our collective action is essential to protect the rights we have fought so hard for.

Across various states, laws banning gender-affirming care, forced student outings, anti-drag regulations, and bathroom bans have emerged. These discriminatory measures not only infringe upon the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals but also undermine the principle of inclusivity and acceptance that our society should uphold. By celebrating PRIDE Month, we can bring attention to these issues, educate others about the importance of equality, and work towards creating a more inclusive future for all.

While progress has been made, we must not forget the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. Shockingly, approximately 67 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships, and around nine countries penalize individuals for expressing their gender identity as transgender or gender nonconforming. By celebrating PRIDE Month, we amplify our message of love, acceptance, and solidarity to those who may be living in oppressive environments, reminding them that they are not alone.

But PRIDE is not solely about resistance and advocacy—it is also a joyous celebration of love and self-expression.

It is a time for LGBTQ+ individuals to honor their identities, embrace their uniqueness, and revel in the strength and resilience that define their journeys. PRIDE parades and events serve as beacons of hope, providing safe spaces for self-discovery and communal support.

This June, as we come together to celebrate PRIDE Month, let us remember that love knows no boundaries and that everyone deserves to live authentically and without fear. By supporting LGBTQ+ rights, we foster a society that cherishes diversity and embraces all forms of love. We must continue to advocate for equal rights, challenge discrimination, and promote inclusivity in all aspects of life.

As a counselor & a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I invite you to be an ally, to educate yourself and others, and to spread love and acceptance far and wide. Together, let us create a world where PRIDE is not limited to one month but permeates our daily lives, nurturing an inclusive and compassionate society for everyone, regardless of their sexual or gender identity. Happy PRIDE Month!

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Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services:

Activities Around Tampa to Help You Stay Cool & Reduce Stress from A Young Adult Therapist

As we know Florida can get pretty humid and hot especially during the summer months, you may be looking for places to keep yourself entertained to avoid any summer boredom, or loneliness. Have you considered that Tampa and St. Petersburg area offer a lot of great indoor activities to avoid that summer sun and heat? Sure the beach is always a great option but we know that eventually it gets too hot, and the potential for sun burn, heat exhaustion, etc can set in.

Fun Indoor Activates in Tampa & St Petersburg

Image of a group of young ladies eating lunch together in St Petersburg, FL. Showing one of the activities suggested by a young adult therapist near you in Tampa, FL. Anothing thing that can help this summer is young adult therapy.

Here are activities around town here are a few of our teams favorites:

Armature Works in Tampa Heights/Downtown offers great food, events, and water views. Allowing for a communal space for you to meet new people, friends, and family all summer long.

Another great place is Cinebistro with locations at Hyde Park Village in Tampa and Wesley Chapel, FL offering an elevated movie experience with dining, and super comfy lounge seats for you to enjoy a great movie.

International Plaza offers a wide variety of shopping options, food, and events all summer long to gather with friends and family, with over 200 stores to choose from.

Dali Museum in St. Pete carries the largest collection of Dali's work outside of Europe and there are so many unique pieces to look at. With lots of opportunities for learning about Dali’s fun and quirky personality along with his brilliant talent as an artist.

Pin Chasers can be another great option allowing you to have some indoor/air conditioned fun, from bowling classes, tournaments, cyber bowling, late night bowling and just plain ‘ol regular bowling too.

Other Techniques to Lower Stress This Summer

While doing fun activities or really any one thing can’t eliminate stress there are some other things you can do to manage it. These include:

Image of a young adult male checking his watch. Representing someone who could benefit from meeting with a young adult therapist for Tampa therapy.

  • Sleep hygiene- sleeping regular hours consistently

  • Cultivate a sense of humor- having fun and taking things less seriously

  • Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water

  • Having solid boundaries in relationships

  • Avoid people-pleasing behaviors

Meeting With A Young Adult Therapist in Tampa Can Help

We understand that you have a lot of therapy options to choose from in Tampa or St. Pete, and we want to assure you that working with one of our Florida-licensed young adult therapists will help you address any summer blues you may have. When schools are out for summer, and perhaps you are finding yourself feeling lonely, bored, overwhelmed with the changing of seasons, traffic to the beach, or the threat of tropical storms we are here to help provide you guidance. Whether it is to get through “an everyday issue” or something significant that you’re struggling with.

There are plenty of coping strategies and outlets for your experiences feeling stuck and/or feeling like you have to go through it alone hopefully doesn’t become your reality and reaching out for help can feel empowering and potentially the right step for you to make towards healing. Besides encouraging you to utilize coping skills, a young adult therapist at WellMinded Counseling can help you build awareness and insight, and challenge your thoughts/perspectives that may be creating barriers for you in the long run. Choosing the right therapist can make all the difference, we encourage you to talk with someone on our team to see if they are the right fit for you.

Start Therapy to Beat Summer Blues with a Young Adult Therapist in Tampa, FL

Image of a skyline of Tampa, FL. Representing that you can get young adult therapy, or counseling for college students, from anywhere within Tampa or St. Petersburg, FL.

Are the summer blues, or something more serious, weighing you down? It's time to take control of your emotional well-being and reclaim your happiness! Our young adult therapists in Tampa understand the unique challenges you may be facing during this season. Whether it's the pressure to have the "perfect" summer or feeling isolated from your peers, therapy at WellMinded Counseling can provide the support and guidance you need to navigate these emotions. Don't let the summer blues dictate your experience any longer. Start by following these steps:

  1. Reach out to talk with a Florida-licensed therapist

  2. Schedule your first appointment for Tampa therapy

  3. Work towards building resilience, finding joy, and creating a summer filled with growth and self-discovery.

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Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By: Caroline Anawate

The Theme for this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is Drawing Connections: prevention Demands Equality.

This theme discusses how there is a link between sexual violence to systems of oppression, therefore we can’t talk about sexual violence without also talking about racism. As individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions we must build these systems surrounding us on racial equity and respect. Systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and others contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. 

Discussions about racial issues, equity, and inclusion are important to be having in all spaces. One must draw connections between themselves, history, and the world around them to create and help build awareness. 

It is evident that certain groups of people are at higher risk for sexual violence and that those same people are also the most impacted by inequitable systems and oppression in our society. 

Important Statistics:

  • More than 1 and 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States have faced sexual violence in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).

  • More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).

  • 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).

  • 32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021).

  •  47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (James et al., 2016).

It is important to strive to build equity and respect within our communities, and workplaces in order to make real and lasting change.

Importance of awareness and education

When discussing combatting sexual assault, it is also important to build awareness and educate individuals on consent. 

What is consent?

Consent must be freely given and informed, and a person can change their mind at any time. Consent is more than a yes or no. It is a dialogue about desires, needs, and levels of comfort with different sexual interactions.

The impact of sexual violence extends beyond the individual survivor and reaches all of society. It is important to build awareness and fight against sexual assault not only during Sexual Assault Awareness Month but every month. 

Resources

Connecting with support can be extremely important after a sexual assault.

Here are some important resources:

OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED AT WELLMINDED COUNSELING

Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services: