SOVA Blog

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What is self-care?

NOTE: Post originally written in January 2018 by contributor moonblue You may have heard the term “self-care” being used on social media or in interactions with other people. It’s an idea that has only recently...

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Becoming a Mental Health First-Responder

NOTE: Post originally published in January 2018 by contributor Panther14 When we hear the term “first-responders,” we usually think of the workers in an ambulance, ready to help people with physical health emergencies. But...

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Do I blame myself?

A common mindset among those who are diagnosed with mental illnesses is wondering if it’s something that they brought onto themselves. There may be guilt associated with it, like the person thinking they did...

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Challenging Negative Thoughts

Stop being so negative! Are these words familiar to you? Everyone has negative thoughts from time to time. Negative thinking is helpful when it protects us from dangerous situations or motivates us to complete...

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Sleeping better

Sleeping patterns and the amount of sleep adolescents get can get jumbled because of mental illness: we’ve also previously talked about “depression naps” and the effects that they can have. Overall, it’s difficult for...

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Music and Social Media

What are your favorite genres? Do you enjoy the stuff currently on the radio? Do you like pop, rock, rap, or any of the specific subgenres within them? Maybe you like a combination, or...

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Bringing Some Color In

There are many outlets to take advantage of if you need a distraction that go beyond procrastination purposes. These kinds of situations can include sitting on public transit, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, or...

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Ways to Stay Focused

It can be incredibly difficult to concentrate on something for a long period of time, especially when it comes to the more mundane and boring things, like chores, homework, or cleaning out your closet...

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Giving Back

There are going to be a lot of chances to reflect and give back now that the holiday season is in full swing. This doesn’t only include Thanksgiving during November, but other holidays such...