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Domestic violence or Intimate partner violence is a serious and complex issue. It is often associated with mental health problems, drug and alcohol use, physical injuries, and other social problems. Women affected by intimate partner violence are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope.

The effects of violence on women and children are immense. It can cause long-term health problems in the victim, their children, and their families. It also affects communities because it causes lost work and homelessness.

Women who live in a home with guns are five times more likely to be killed. Intimate partners kill almost half of all women murdered with guns. This is why ensuring you don’t have guns in your home is important.

Sexual abuse has many negative consequences for the person who has experienced it. People who have been sexually abused can often feel guilty or ashamed of what happened. They may feel that they should have done something to prevent the abuse. They may feel guilty about being abused or for being the one to report the abuse.

Violence against women can have a long-term impact on the victim’s mental health, including

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychological condition that can develop following extreme emotional stress, such as being a victim of a crime or other traumatic event. The condition can also develop in those who have witnessed or been victims of further trauma. If you are struggling to deal with the effects of PTSD, speak to a qualified professional to get the help you need.
• Depression is a serious illness, and you should seek help. If you feel depressed, talk to a mental health professional.
• Anxiety is a feeling of fear and unease. It is a normal stress response and can be caused by a sudden shock, for example, a sudden fear of an illness or the loss of a loved one. Anxiety can get worse over time and interfere with your daily life. You can get help from a mental health professional.

These effects can include feeling that you are not worth anything and not feeling able to trust others. Research shows that 90% of women with substance use problems had experienced physical or sexual violence. This can lead to a dangerous cycle of addiction, violence, and other issues.

There is a large misconception that people who are victims of abuse or assault are to blame for their situation. It is often not their fault, and it is in the best interest of the abuser to end the relationship. Many times these situations end in death; that is why it is so important to seek help and reach out for support.

If you have experienced abuse, contact a hotline at 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233), or learn more ways to get help. Family 360 Center is also a resource for you if you need mental health services. Please feel free to contact us.

Source

https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/effects-violence-against-women

It is essential to be aware of mental health issues in your relationships. Many times, people may not realize that they have some kind of mental health issue until they start talking about it with a therapist or a friend. It can be difficult for many people to bring up these issues, but knowing what you are dealing with is essential. If you feel that you are having problems with your sexual relationship, then it is important to seek help.

Many times, couples will go into counseling without really realizing what their problem is. The problem may be something as simple as feeling guilty for being sexual or feeling like you do not deserve to have sex. If you think that you need to talk about this with someone, then you should look into getting counseling. This can be an excellent way to deal with the problem. You can talk about it openly and work through it.

Another thing that you should consider if you are having problems with your sex life is that you might need to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. You should get tested immediately if you think you have been exposed to an STD. This can be very embarrassing, but it is better to find out now than later. If you are unsure whether or not you have an STD, you should ask your doctor to run a test.

You might want to talk about your sex life with your partner for many reasons. You might want to ensure that you are both happy with how things are going. You might also want to have a good time. If you want to try something new, you should talk to your partner about it. You can find out if they want to try it too. You can also find out if you are both comfortable with the idea.

If you want to talk about sex, then you should tell your partner that you want to. They will probably be surprised, but you should tell them you want to talk about it. You can discuss anything that you want to discuss. Remember that you should be honest about everything you are thinking about. If you need to talk to someone about your sex life or sexuality, please call us; we are here to help.

Mental health issues are a big problem for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, two-spirit, and other diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions (LGBTQI+). The LGBTQI+ community is a diverse one. People come from different backgrounds and have different sexualities, genders, and orientations. However, the fact remains that there is still a lot of prejudice against the LGBTQI+ community. The community is often looked down upon by mainstream society. This can be because of the social stigma attached to being queer or because they may have experienced some trauma.

Many people believe that people who identify as queer are mentally ill. Some even believe that it is a condition that can be cured. In reality, mental health issues are caused by many factors. For example, it could be because of abuse that they suffered in the past or because they have had a traumatic experience.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you must seek professional help. You mustn’t feel ashamed about your sexuality or gender identity. You should not feel embarrassed to talk about it with other people.

However, if you are suffering from a mental health issue, you should not attempt to hide it. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, you must reach out to someone who can help you, such as talking to a friend, a family member, or a professional counselor, to help you overcome your problems.

We here at Family 360 offer counseling services to the LGBTQI+ community, such as:

•           Body Image

•           Bullying

•           Dating

•           Gender Identity

•           Harassment

•           Healthy Sexuality

•           HIV

•           Mental Health

•           Parents of LGBTQI+ Children and Youth

•           Religion

•           Sex, Sexuality, and Sexual Health

•           Sexual Orientation

•           Suicide and Self-Harm

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety. The question is, how do you cope with them.

Stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause, such as having a lot of homework or having an illness. Anxiety is your body’s reaction to stress and can occur without a current threat.

Learning what causes or triggers your stress and what coping techniques work for you can help reduce your anxiety and improve your daily life. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. Here are some activities you can try when you start to feel overwhelmed:

• Keep a journal.
• Download an app that provides relaxation exercises (such as deep breathing or visualization) or tips for practicing mindfulness, a psychological process of actively paying attention to the present moment.
• Exercise, and make sure you are eating healthy, regular meals.
• Stick to a sleep routine, and ensure you get enough sleep.
• Avoid drinking excess caffeine such as soft drinks or coffee.
• Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
• Reach out to your friends or family members who help you cope positively.

If you are struggling to cope, or your stress or anxiety symptoms won’t go away, it may be time to talk to a professional. If you are in immediate distress or are thinking about hurting yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Remember, we here at Family 360 are here for you.

Source:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-infographic

According to the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health website, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear is a part of the body’s normal “fight-or-flight” response, which helps us avoid or respond to potential danger. People may experience a range of reactions after trauma, and most will recover from their symptoms over time. Those who continue to experience symptoms may be diagnosed with PTSD.

Who develops PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes combat veterans as well as people who have experienced or witnessed a physical or sexual assault, abuse, an accident, a disaster, a terror attack, or other serious events. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are no longer in danger.

Not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event. In some cases, learning that a relative or close friend experienced trauma can cause PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic incident, but they sometimes emerge later. To meet the criteria for PTSD, symptoms must last longer than 1 month, and they must be severe enough to interfere with aspects of daily life, such as relationships or work. The symptoms also must be unrelated to medication, substance use, or other illness.

The course of the illness varies: Although some people recover within 6 months, others have symptoms that last for a year or longer. People with PTSD often have co-occurring conditions, such as depression, substance use, or one or more anxiety disorders.

After a dangerous event, it is natural to have some symptoms or even to feel detached from the experience, as though you are observing things rather than experiencing them. A health care provider—such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker—who has experience helping people with mental illnesses can determine whether symptoms meet the criteria for PTSD.

Where can I find more information on PTSD?

To find out more information, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health website by clicking the link below.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

Source:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (Updated 2021). NIH Publication No. 20-MH-8124. Revised 2020

Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

State Rep Doreen Carter and Dr. Desmond Maul licensed Therapist DMFT, LMFT. Share valuable information and resources for mental health on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Join Us!

The 3rd Round of Free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests is now available.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order the 3rd round of free at-home tests. Order yours today from COVID.gov. There are no shipping costs, and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.

For more information, please visit https://www.covid.gov/tests.

The Government is giving away Free N95 Masks at Local Pharmacies and Community Health Centers. As the struggle continues to fight COVID-19, President Biden provides free COVID-19 tests for homes and free N95 masks, which are a critical way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
These masks can be found at pharmacies and community healthcare centers sites across the country, including Walmart and Sams Club. Every person is allowed up to 3 free masks pending availability.

These masks are American-made, certified N95s part of the Strategic National Stockpile earmarked for emergency use. Although these masks are not for children, The Biden administration will start making these high-quality masks for children in the near future. So spread the word and get your FREE N95 masks.

Click on the links below to see which pharmacies participate in this program and how to wear an N95 mask properly.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/participating-pharmacies.html

Wearing a Mask Protects You and Others
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/masks/index.html?utm_campaign=fyi_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

HOW TO USE YOUR N95 RESPIRATOR
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/COVID-19_NIOSH_Freemasks_PRINT_F.pdf

Every home in the U.S. can soon order four free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs, and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.

Ordering begins January 19.

Get your free COVID-19 test through the government. Private health insurance companies are now required to cover the cost of tests. According to USA Today’s website, “private health plans are required to cover the over-the-counter tests at up to $12 per test. Consumers can either purchase the testing kits at no cost or submit receipts for reimbursement from the insurance company.” (1)  So order your free at-home COVID-19 test Wednesday, January 19 at https://www.covidtests.gov/

Sources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2022/01/14/covid-tests-insurance-reimbursement/6518277001/

https://www.covidtests.gov/