Talking It Out

I am pleased to announce that I am writing for the Kern River Courier as a columnist. 

The column and my blog will cover many facets of mental health, providing therapy insights and inspiration, educational information on disorders of the mind, as well as clinical perspectives and commentary.  

This week my blog focused on bullying, and you can get the full article here. There has been a lot of local interest in the Kern River Valley regarding this prevalent problem that has affected so many residents. One community leader tapped into this problem with her Facebook post, sparking intense dialogue that racked up more than 5k hits in a short period of time and oodles of emojis. After I read her post, I started exploring the depths of bullying in the KRV, and learned that it is often an intergenerational trait with deep roots in our community. I also learned that for every bully out there, there is someone trying to make a difference and inspire tolerance, consideration and respect for others. 

In my article, I reported on how one principal is taking the punch out of bullying by working to change the culture of his community. Click here to find out how this principal is leading an initiative that has proven to generate positive changes in students’ grades and behaviors. 

During my research, I met many upstanding citizens who are doing their part to curb this harmful behavior, so keep an eye out for my next Mental Health Matters article that provides a personal and up close view of the backlash that occurred when an ordinary citizen tried to stop bullying while promoting tolerance.
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Thanks for reading, and best of mind & body health to you.