It is December again. In a few days we will begin another year full of opportunities. It is also a time of celebration that brings together family and friends. To help you have a happy and healthy holiday season there are a few steps you can take. First, get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can decrease sickness, trips to the doctor, and missed days of work and school caused by the flu...

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior- ultimately interfering with daily life. Dementia is a term that covers a range of medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Most people show the first signs of Alzheimer’s in their mid-60s. Brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s may begin a...

October is the time of year when special attention is brought to bullying awareness.  Typically, the first thing that comes to my mind is the prevalence of bullying among children and teens.  While bullying among this age group continues to be a prominent concern, my awareness has recently been brought to bullying in the work place. Last month, I attended a presentation on bullying and was surprised to find out bullying is increasing in the workplace.  Workplace bullying can be defined...

I recently participated in a certificate-training course on mental health first aid for those who work with youth. When I learned about the opportunity, I felt it was relevant to me not only professionally as a health educator, but also personally as a parent and coach. The training is meant to help those working with youth learn specific skills that are critical during a mental health crisis. It provided deeper insight as to what mental health is and showed participants how to handle a crisis...