DECEMBER 1ST IS WORLD AIDS DAY

World Aids Day has been designated on December 1 every year since 1988. World Aids Day is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection and morning those who have died of the disease.

World Aids Day also aims to spread the awareness that division, disparity, and the disregard for human rights are among the failures that allowed HIV to become and remain a global health crisis. Now, COVID-19 is exacerbating inequities and disruptions to services, making the lives of many people living with HIV more challenging. Having a serious illness, like HIV, can be another source of major stress. People diagnosed with HIV face challenges of their well-being and experience further complication of existing mental health conditions. All chronic diseases come with a myriad of long-lasting feelings such as shame, guilt, and resentment all which can lead to anxiety and depression.

Help Restorative Health and Life to commemorate those who have died from the HIV disease and those who continue to battle the disease daily.

I am asking that you become involved in the World Aids Day by wearing a red ribbon. This is the most broadly recognized way of showing your support on World AIDS Day. Red symbolizes blood, and the pain caused by the disease.

Author: Dana Papania, Counseling Practicum Student

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Human Rights Day is observed every year on the 10th of December which is the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

The aim of the Declaration of Human Rights is to establish a common standard of living for all people across the planet that everyone is entitled to, and to encourage all UN member states to strive towards the said standard of living for the people in their nation.

Despite the efforts to protect human rights, the hostility toward human rights and those who defend them continues to rise. As a result, this year’s Human Rights Day advocates for everyone to stand up for their rights and those of others in all aspects----civil, economic, political, and cultural rights. Additionally, the day aims to enlighten us about how our rights are a foundation of sustainable development and peaceful societies. The day also acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world.

Human Rights Day is important to the field of Social Work and Counseling because those Social Workers and Counselors in counseling, advocacy and teaching realms of the field know firsthand the impact their decisions have on the future of the clientele they serve. Social Workers and Counselors advocate for change in the best interest of a collective of people rather than just one set of people. I believe that everyone deserves to be respected. In the counseling field, I am afforded the opportunity to address the emotional and mental impacts that inequality and social injustices have had on the clients I serve. As a global whole, we should give more reverence to basic human rights. If this is done, we will have less people traumatized and dealing with mental health issues as a result of violated human rights. As a counselor, I take with great pride and honor the advocacy on behalf of the clients I serve. In honor of Human Rights Day, I challenge you to celebrate Human Rights Day with one deed of kindness for a stranger.

Author: Brittney Collins-Jefferson, LCSW, LCADCI and Dana Papania, Counseling Practicum Student

References:

https://nationaltoday.com/human-rights-day/

Perinatal Depression and Physical Wellness

How I beat perinatal depression!

“I look in the mirror and I don’t see myself. I am doing my best, but it also feels like I am failing. On top of all of this, I do not feel loved, appreciated, wanted or needed by you. I am broken inside and you do not show empathy. It often feels like I am complaining so I would rather not say anything. Please forgive me if I can’t/do not ask for your help more. I don’t even know how to help myself right now.”

This was a text message that I sent to my husband when my newborn was three months old. This was after multiple questions about how he could help me with the baby. When you have postpartum depression, sometimes it is impossible to articulate your actual needs and desires. I knew something was not right but did not know how to verbalize my thoughts. My thoughts were, indeed, all over the place. Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy and after childbirth (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021). The symptoms of this form of depression range in great detail.

Many new moms experience depression in different ways. I experienced extreme sadness and feelings of hopelessness, excessive crying for unexplained reasons, major withdrawal from my family and extended family, and reduced interest in things that were a normal part of my day-to-day. I am also a Certified Personal Trainer and love all forms of fitness. I often say that being active saved my life in more ways than one. Before I had my son, I told myself that 6 weeks postpartum would be the milestone for when I became active again. However, six weeks came and went. I was in a very dark place and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Eventually, there came hope!

I had the great pleasure of being pregnant at the same time with some of my closest friends and a few family members. These ladies served as a little network for me; a safe space where I could voice my concerns and not be judged. Surprisingly, my new mom’s support network experienced depression in some form. We cried, texted one another at any hour of the night, and slowly guided one another towards the “light.” Additionally, there was a little voice that kept luring me to get to the gym.

The gym has always been a place where I could release stress, as well as feel good about myself. In addition, working out releases endorphins, a chemical that helps the body to relieve stress and pain. I knew that if I could muster up enough strength to get to the gym, I would feel better. However, this act took the most amount of effort. Most days I would talk myself out of going. There were some days I would make it, but I was unable to create a healthy mind, body, muscle connection. Slowly but surely, each day I showed up, the workouts became a little bit easier, and my depression started to subside.

There is a slew of benefits to being active. Some of these benefits include:

· Exercise controls weight

· Exercise combats health conditions and diseases including depression

· Improves Mood

· Boosts energy

· Promotes better sleep

(Mayo Clinic, 2018).

The list goes on and on. Fitness is only one way of managing PPD, however, it is not the only way to manage symptoms. In addition to making myself physically active, I hired a therapist. That is right! Therapists need therapists, too! Other moms have also tried medication, such as antidepressants to help manage their depressive symptoms. These medications may help improve the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. If moms are breastfeeding, they should communicate this to their doctors prior to starting any medication so that the doctor can monitor the dosage and reduce the baby’s exposure to the medication. Whatever a mom chooses, the most important option is to acknowledge the signs and take the necessary steps to seek the appropriate help.

If you or a loved one has recently had a baby, it is important to recognize the signs and seek the appropriate help from a healthcare provider. Some common symptoms of perinatal depression include:

· Persistent sadness, anxiety, or “empty mood”

· Irritability

· Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness

· Fatigue

· Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies

· Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

· Difficulty sleeping

· Inability to bond or form an emotional attachment with the baby

· Thoughts about death, suicide, or harming oneself or the baby

(National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).

It is of great importance that perinatal mom’s symptoms are not dismissed or mislabeled. Historically, acceptance that something might be medically wrong with a new mom was not well received. The perception that a new mom needed to simply “snap out of it” or the belief that feeling intense sadness after becoming a new mom was “normal” is harmful and hurtful. Instead, speak directly to your loved one(s) or seek a medical professional who can assist with an evidence-based treatment plan and/or prescribed medication. This support can literally save their life.

Author: Atrell Patton, Clinical Professional Counselor Intern

References:

Mayo Clinic (2018). Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389

National Institute of Mental Health (2021). Perinatal depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression/