Mental Health Matters

The world is an ever-changing place that can lead to various emotional reactions including stress, anxiety, fear and depression. Whether it’s personal struggles or world events such as COVID-19, political battles, or the recent increase in violence, it’s easy...... READ MORE OF "Help is just a phone call away"

By Lisa Williams, PhD Chief Executive Officer West Michigan Community Mental Health (CMH) serves consumers from every ethnic background, race, religion, sexual orientation and gender because we know behavioral health issues don’t discriminate. Unfortunately, as a nation we’ve recently...... READ MORE OF "Mental Health Matters: Behavioral Health Issues Don’t Discriminate"

Every year in May, communities across the country rally together to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to highlight what individuals can do to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles,...... READ MORE OF "Mental Health Matters: May is Mental Health Awareness Month"

By Kristin Flanery, M.Ed., BCBA and Megan Teall, QIDP April showers bring May flowers. This is a phrase we are all familiar with. What you might not be as familiar with is that April is Autism Awareness Month. This...... READ MORE OF "Autism Awareness Month"

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a new normal for our daily lives. Nonessential businesses are closed, kids are on extended breaks from school, sports have been canceled, social distancing is being enforced, the governor has issued an executive...... READ MORE OF "Managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic"

For decades, health care was looked at as treating a person from the neck down. West Michigan Community Mental Health (WMCMH) realizes the importance of a whole-person approach to health care, treating patients from their head to their toes....... READ MORE OF "Integrating mental and physical health care"

There’s a new program at West Michigan Community Mental Health that focuses on reducing tobacco usage in our local community. Called Dimensions, the six-week tobacco cessation group provides adults who want to quit smoking with the tools and support...... READ MORE OF "Mental Health Matters: CMH provides free tobacco cessation program"

There’s a popular Christmas song with a title and lyrics that say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” But for many people, the holidays are anything but wonderful, bringing increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. It’s...... READ MORE OF "Managing your mental health during the holidays"

In October 2018, West Michigan Community Mental Health was awarded a $4-million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). The local CMH was one of only...... READ MORE OF "What it means to be a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic"

When I wrote this column in October 2013, I hoped it might encourage at least a few people, men in particular, to reach out for help.  While many fear that disclosing their depression will be seen as a weakness,...... READ MORE OF "Men Get Depression, Too"