Heather R Hayes & Associates, INC

I was honored to speak with Simon Mundle in the latest Qbtech, Rethinking ADHD Podast. Tune in to listen here: https://bit.ly/3X5XlZS #ADHD #podcast #addiction #sud

In 2021, the American Psychological Association released a report which indicated that 79% of working adults had experienced stress in the last year. In addition, 44% of working adults reported feeling physical exhaustion from their jobs. This is especially concerning because in 2019 only 6% of people reported feeling physically exhausted after work. Changes to working culture, as well as stress from external sources such as politics and global events, have increased the rate of burnout for adults across the country. This epidemic of stress is difficult to combat since so much of it has to do with factors outside of our daily control. Many people feel overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities, both at work and at home, and finding the time and space to relax is increasingly challenging. So how can we fight this epidemic of stress and reduce the risk of physical exhaustion and burnout? One of the best ways is to design and protect a set time for yourself every day - however small. It might mean reserving the first ten minutes after waking up for taking deep breaths or taking an hour at lunchtime to walk instead of sitting at your desk. Removing yourself from the relentless pace of the world is the first step to breaking the cycle of stress which characterizes the contemporary work day. Another great way to start challenging burnout culture is to communicate about it. Many of us now work at home, without the support of a workplace environment. Building back the type of connections that were once common in the workplace - water cooler conversations, office in-jokes, break room banter, etc. - is a great way to build a safety net against isolation and to find support for stress and feeling overworked. Our work lives don’t have to end in burnout: taking the time to look after yourself, and look out for others, is a key way to balance stress during the day. #burnout #stress #mentalhealth

The digital era offers us many wonderful opportunities: we can find the answers to any question, catch up with old friends, and stream old television shows we loved for hours at a time. However, there are some key drawbacks to the technologies which allow us to access the internet, especially for parents of teenagers. Teens are in an experimental and creative stage in their identity development, which can mean they are exploring and taking risks as they try to learn about the world and their place in it. This is a critical feature of their lives, but it presents particular dangers when it comes to the internet. While digital access is by no means inherently dangerous to teens, there are corners of online life that can be harmful and upsetting to young people. As parents, staying informed and openly communicating with your teenagers about their internet use is one of the best ways to help them get the most from these amazing tools. Here are three tips for talking to teenagers about their online lives: 💫 Be authentic. React calmly but honestly when teenagers tell you things that shock or surprise you about their online experience: trying to pretend nothing at all surprises or bothers you is less productive than an open, measured discussion of startling material. 💫 Be curious. Teenagers’ online exploration is a crucial part of their development as people; remember that when they are telling you about the internet, they are also telling you about themselves. 💫 Be literate. While there is no need to try and understand everything that teenagers do online, having the basic language around apps and technologies can make a big difference in how comfortable your teen feels talking to you about their online lives. #technology #authenticity #communication #mentalhealth

One of the cornerstones of family therapy is family systems theory. This is a theory we have explored often in the past in relation to treating mental health conditions across the spectrum, and it is particularly relevant for those of us who work with adolescents dealing with substance use disorders and trauma. The basic tenets of family systems theory is that the family must be understood as a system of individuals connected by complex and dynamic relationships. One critical area where these dynamics become apparent is during teen development, which is a period marked by significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. During this time, incongruence within the family system - that is, a mismatch between what is expected and what is communicated - can cause significant confusion, anger, and resentment among teenagers themselves. 📝 Read on in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/48al9PJ #familysystems #familytherapy #substanceusedisorder #mentalhealth #trauma

On World Mental Health Day, let's shine a light on the mental well-being of our teens and young adults. As the next generation of leaders, creators, and thinkers, they face unique challenges, from academic pressures to navigating the complexities of school, social media, and world events. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we provide them with the support and tools they need to build mental resilience. Supporting young people goes beyond just conversations. It’s about actionable resources—teaching them healthy coping mechanisms, offering safe spaces to express emotions, and ensuring access to mental health professionals when needed. Resilience is built through consistent support, education, and the freedom to reach out without stigma. At Heather R. Hayes & Associates, we are committed to creating pathways for mental health support, and every conversation, resource, and act of kindness counts. Let’s empower our youth to develop emotional strength, face life’s challenges head-on, and grow into adults who prioritize their well-being. #WorldMentalHealthDay #SupportOurYouth #MentalResilience #HeatherRHayes #WellbeingForAll #MentalHealthMatters

In a time when discussions about mental health are so prevalent on social media, it can sometimes feel like mental health conditions become our entire identity. The widespread use of therapy language, often shared without proper context or understanding, can make maintaining good mental health feel overwhelming. This is especially challenging for individuals who are already living with conditions such as anxiety or personality disorders, depression, disordered eating, and/or bipolar disorder. Constant exposure to influencers or pop psychologists can leave individuals feeling as though they are inseparable from their diagnosis. However, it’s important to remember that your diagnosis does not define you. You are more than your mental health condition, and finding a sense of self beyond the diagnosis is vital in navigating the pressures of social media. Taking care of your mental health is essential, but it’s equally important to practice self-compassion. Whatever your mental health state, embrace your uniqueness, and never forget that you are so much more than a label. #mentalhealth #selfcompassion #anxiety #mentalhealthconditions #poppsychology

As September draws to a close, I'm reminded that fall is a season of transition that brings with it a renewed sense of energy and focus. As I gear up for the final stretch of the year, I'm looking forward to speaking at two upcoming events and one webinar before 2024 ends. Whether you're enjoying the crisp air of the changing seasons or embracing the coziness of autumn, I hope you’re as ready as I am to dive into the opportunities ahead! 📰 Read on in our latest newsletter: https://bit.ly/4erXLzI #newsletter #septembernews #seasons #change

Parents with teenage children can find it extremely difficult to encourage and maintain good family communication. The tension between adults in the family and teenagers can be pronounced, and the difficulty communicating can lead to a host of negative emotions, including sadness, frustration, and of course, anger. It can feel impossible to communicate with family at times, especially when work or school life causes external stress that’s difficult to shake off when you get home. But there are tools you can use to make communicating with your teens easier. Here are four tips to start: ✨ Acknowledging and celebrating your family culture: Building a culture of “we” as a family is a great way to make communicating easier. Draw from your roots as a family, whether through traditions or memories, to create common ground for communication. ✨ Bring the outside world in: Talk about what’s happening in the world, and make it relevant to everyone. Make it a habit to know what is going on in each other’s external worlds and make space for it at home. ✨ Share the power: Encourage your teenagers to lead the conversation, and once you’ve offered them the opportunity, relinquish your desire to keep control. Give everyone equal agency to speak and share the power to choose topics. ✨ Be open to learning: A huge part of generational strife comes from preconceived notions that teens have about adults, and vice versa. Remember that your teens’ experiences differ from what you may have experienced as a teenager, and be open to learning about their lives and the worlds they live in.

In many ways, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is still a very misunderstood mental health condition. There are many different varieties of OCD, and each person who is diagnosed with OCD will have a unique and distinct experience. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding has led to common myths about OCD that are perpetuated through popular culture and public life. Here are three myths about OCD that we need to re-examine if we hope to approach this complex mental health condition with compassion: Loving to clean makes you OCD. This is not true at all. People who like cleaning and who keep things very tidy because that is their preference are simply individuals who find joy in the process and activity of cleaning. OCD causes those who struggle with it acute distress; if someone is cleaning because of OCD, it is borne of an uncontrollable fear that something bad will happen if they don’t. The best way to help a person with OCD is to assist them with their routines. It’s natural to want to help when you see a loved one struggling with their obsessive-compulsive routine, but offering to help someone doesn’t challenge the condition. Telling your loved one that you can see they are struggling but that you won’t encourage the compulsion is a kinder thing to do. People with OCD lack willpower. People who don’t understand the impulse that leads to routines, rituals, and thoughts often ask, “Why don’t you just stop doing this?” This implies that a person with OCD simply lacks willpower. In fact, this condition consumes a person’s willpower in order to continue existing under the strain of such compulsions. Removing the stigma surrounding OCD by challenging myths associated with this serious mental health condition is one of the best ways to raise awareness about the realities of those living with it day-to-day. #ocd #mentalhealth #stress #anxiety #mentalhealthdisorder

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