You can read more at “Your Daily Coffee May Be Protecting Your Brain, 43-Year Study Finds” (Mass General, 2026).
Vikki
Reference
Mass General Brigham. (2026, March 18). Your Daily Coffee May Be Protecting Your Brain, 43-Year Study Finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 22, 2026, From www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260318033138.htm
When every region on this planet has an adequate amount of mental health facilities, therapists, and medicine to treat its citizens, perhaps we can then say we’re entering a phase of global health success! Many people are living in war-torn areas, while others are dealing with natural disasters. These calamities take a toll on a person’s mental health. That is one reason why mental health experts are especially important for these global residents.
The References
The following resources have a wealth of information for individuals experiencing mental health conditions, for those providing emotional support to loved ones who’ve been diagnosed, and others without conditions who simply wish to become more knowledgeable regarding mental health sciences.
The Importance Of Relaxing
The following nature video (Relaxing Tree, 2020) is a reminder that visiting parks and listening to the sounds of nature can become a vital ingredient in having and maintaining calmness for positive mental health. It can become a method of getting away from it all periodically!
[VIDEO: 4K RELAXING NATURE SOUNDS – SHORT VIDEO CLIPS OF NATURE: SOURCE: RELAXING TREE, 2020]
Other forms of relaxation can involve meditating, engaging in yoga exercises, participating in arts such as sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading publications from favorite bookstores, and taking a walk after dinner, which can help reduce a few calories as an added benefit. Listening to quiet music, cooking/baking, gardening, housework, painting, sculpting, coloring in a coloring book, landscaping, drawing, building furniture, writing in a spiral notebook about one’s feelings and experiences, and watching television are also forms of relaxation.
A Person Should Never Label Oneself
An important aspect to remember is that just because a person is diagnosed with a mental health condition doesn’t suggest even remotely that they are a mental health condition. What the diagnosis means is that it’s another one of life’s challenges.
A Person Should Never Blame Themselves, Nor Compare Themselves
Some people will experience influenza and will suffer from symptoms temporarily. It could be because they’re younger, have no prior history of respiratory issues, and lack a compromised immune system. Conversely, other people may have a longer bout of the illness since they have a prior history of respiratory issues, they’re older, and already have a compromised immune system.
In a similar vein, each person who is diagnosed with a mental health condition may have a different reason for their mental health condition. For example, a person could be diagnosed with schizophrenia because they also have a form of Alzheimer’s Disease (i.e., comorbidity–more than one condition). Another person is diagnosed with schizophrenia because they have a sibling (twin) or a parent who was diagnosed with the condition years earlier (i.e., genetics). In taking the conversation in another direction, a person could be diagnosed with mild depression and needs medication temporarily because it began with becoming overwhelmed by life. They experienced too many negative personal life events. And then for another person diagnosed with depression, they may have to use prescriptions for the rest of their life because their brain chemistry has changed dramatically.
The associations, the causations, the bottom-up (i.e., physical illness bringing on the mental health condition), and other explanations are too involved and nuanced for the “How did this person acquire a mental health condition?” Thus, there can be any number of reasons why a person acquired a mental health difficulty, and it may not be a similar reason for other people with the same condition. Also, there could be situations where there are no known current explanations why someone ended up with a mental health condition, because those reasons are waiting for scientific discovery.
Getting Rid Of Stigmas
In the constant struggle to remove the stigma that remains in society concerning mental health challenges, people with psychiatric issues need to remember that they are not alone. Everyone has some form of mental health issue. Some mental health issues are minor, others are large, while others are dealing with comorbidity. Whatever the circumstance, everyone has something they’re dealing with. A person needs to keep going and live their life to the best of their ability!
There Is No Room For Negativity
Anyone who would make comments that a person with a mental health condition needs to “Get over it” or some other form of mocking/psychological abuse is not someone who should be in anyone’s social circle during the adjustment and recovery phase, and that could be for a lifetime. When a person is dealing with a psychiatric issue, they need supportive individuals who provide empathy and lots of encouragement. Actually, the toxic entities could be individuals who contributed to the mental health condition.
A Mental Health Issue Is Not Necessarily Psychiatric, Requiring Medication
A psychiatric issue occurs when the brain chemistry has changed (i.e., an imbalance of a specific neurotransmitter) and a clinical therapist is required (i.e., psychiatrist). For instance, a person diagnosed with schizophrenia has an imbalance of dopamine (an imbalance of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia). Thus, medication is necessary to create a healthy brain chemistry. Other people may have phobias (i.e., height, insects, certain animals, specific places, etc.), and a psychologist would be suggested for learning techniques in removing said phobias. A psychologist is ideal when experiencing relationship difficulties. A psychologist might be used for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a client learn new thinking strategies in maneuvering life, along with achieving goals.
The following is a video that talks about psychotherapy, which is a completely different brand of therapy altogether:
[VIDEO: WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY? SOURCE: PSYCH HUB, 2020]
Family Members Becoming Involved In Their Loved Ones’ Journey
It cannot be emphasized enough that family members can make important contributions when a person is diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. Members can provide a guardrail of sorts in making certain that individuals keep doctor’s appointments with therapists and take prescribed medications. They can even attend these doctor appointments with their loved ones. The person diagnosed with a psychiatric condition can believe that they have partners in gaining a positive quality of life. In extreme cases, a family member may need to obtain conservatorship. All of these suggestions can avoid potential tragic situations with law enforcement, which we hear all too often in the media.
Weight Gain From Medications Is A Possibility, Although…
People who are diagnosed with a psychiatric condition need to ask the therapist for prescriptions that have a much lower possibility of weight gain. Many of these psychotropics and antidepressants (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024) are not only responsible for a larger waistline, but also for the possibility of experiencing metabolic syndrome because of the additional weight gain (i.e., higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar leading to cardiovascular issues) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Conversely, a psychotropic and antidepressant may not necessarily cause actual weight gain. Taking these medications can result in a complete change to the body’s metabolism. Some individuals can experience fatigue, water retention, hormonal changes, and other modifications without additional calories to their diet (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024).
As an aside, imagine the middle-aged woman who was already experiencing metabolic syndrome because of weight gain from hormonal changes (menopause), and is now prescribed an antidepressant or psychotropic. She will have to worry about even more weight gain difficulties, and unfortunately, could become a likely candidate for cardiovascular issues, and worse.
An Important No-No
If a person wants to go off their medication, that procedure needs to be done with the guidance of the therapist and gradually! Waking up one morning and deciding to cease taking medication can send an individual spiraling out of control, and with tragic consequences to themselves and others.
Finally, dealing with a mental health condition, especially one that has altered the brain chemistry, is rough! Having said that, once a person has gained clarity through doctor visits and taking medication, a person could use their condition and start anew with living their life instead of merely existing!
Here’s wishing you good health, love, and lots of understanding!
Vikki
References
American Academy Of Neurology. (2025). Brain Health For All. Retrieved From https://www.aan.com/
American Psychological Association. (2025). We promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives. Retrieved From apa.org
Behavioral Scientist. (2025). Health. Retrieved From https://behavioralscientist.org/topics/health/
Better Health Channel. (2022). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Retrieved From https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cognitive-behaviour-therapy
Bright Horizons Psychiatry. (2024). Managing Weight Gain Caused By Psychiatric Medication. Retrieved From https://brighthorizonspsychiatry.com/managing-weight-gain-caused-by-psychiatric-medication/
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Metabolic Syndrome. Retrieved From https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10783-metabolic-syndrome
deVries, L. P., van de Weijer, M. P., and Bartels, M. (2022). The Human Physiology Of Well-Being: A Systematic Review On The Association Between Neurotransmitters, Hormones, Inflammatory Markers, The Microbiome And Well-Being. (Vol. 139). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104733 Retrieved From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422002226
Europe’s Journal Of Psychology. (2025). An Online-Only, Open-Access Journal For Scientific Inquiries Into A Wide Range Of Topics In Psychology – Free Of Charge For Authors And Readers. Retrieved From https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop
Healthcare Communications Network. (2025). Psychiatry. Retrieved From https://hcn.health/hcn-trends-story/category/psychiatry/
Healthline. (2025). Mental Well-Being. Retrieved From https://www.healthline.com/mental-health
JAMA Network. (2025). Psychiatry. Retrieved From https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry
MDPI. (2025). Journal Of Behavioral Sciences. Retrieved From https://mdpi.com/journal/behavsci
MedicalNewsToday. (2025). Mental Health. Take Care Of Your Mental Well-Being With Evidenced-Backed Resources. Retrieved From https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/mental-health
Miller, C. (2025). Mental Health Disorders And Teen Substance Use. Why It’s Especially Tempting – And Risky – For Kids With Emotional Or Behavioral Challenges. Retrieved From https://childmind.org/article/mental-health-disorders-and-substance-use/
National Alliance On Mental Illness. (2025). Dissociative Disorders. Retrieved From https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-conditions/dissociative-disorders/
Neuroscience News. (2025). Latest Neuroscience News. Retrieved From https://neurosciencenews.com/
NewScientist. (2025). Mind. Retrieved From https://www.newscientist.com/subject/mind/
Psyche. (2025). Know Your Self. Retrieved From https://psyche.co/
Psych Hub. (2020, November 3). What Is Psychotherapy? [VIDEO]. Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmHcB8aOlkI
Psychiatrist. (2025). Just Published. Retrieved From https://www.psychiatrist.com/
Relaxing Tree. (2020, October 10). 4K Relaxing Nature Sounds – Short Video Clips Of Nature. [VIDEO]. Retrieved From https://youtu.be/nqye02H_H6I?si=iHaQAgPVoU025-mF
ScienceDaily. (2025). Mind & Brain News. Retrieved From https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/
Smithsonian Magazine. (2025). Science/Mind & Body. Retrieved From smithsonianmag.com/category/mind-body
Taylor & Francis Online. The Journal Of Social Psychology. Latest Articles. Retrieved From https://www.tandfonline.com/action/showAxaArticles?journalCode=vsoc20
The British Psychological Society. (2025). Explore Psychological Publications. Retrieved From https://explore.bps.org.uk/
The Scientist. (2025). Exploring Life, Inspiring Innovation. Retrieved From https://www.the-scientist.com/tag/psychology
Therapy In A Nutshell. (2025). No One Ever Taught You How To Regulate Your Emotions. Let’s Change That Today. Retrieved From https://therapyinanutshell.com/
Thompson, D. (2025). Industrial Chemical Linked To Parkinson’s Disease. Retrieved From https://www.medicinenet.com/industrial_chemical_linked_to_parkinsons_disease/news.htm
Wiley Online Library. (2025) Psychiatry. Retrieved From https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/doSearch?AllField=psychiatry
World Health Organization. (2025). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved From https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/bipolar-disorder
We need to consider how our priorities may have been affected after that ghoulish day twenty-four years ago.
Has our worldview expanded, or changed? Is it for the better?
Did we switch occupations, leaving Corporate America behind, and are now in positions where we help others have better lives? Perhaps we didn’t leave Corporate America, but became advocates by using our position to create policies that improve the quality of life for others.
What about our attitudes toward others? Do we view people as fellow citizens on this earth, or now view people outside our group (whatever “group” means to the reader) as enemies? Hopefully, the former, not the latter, for positive mental and emotional health!
Did we become more religious, or suddenly turn away from God?
Do we no longer take life for granted and live each day to the fullest that we can because we understand that tomorrow is not guaranteed?
It would take an incredibly unusual person to claim NOT to have been affected by the events twenty-four years ago.
Vikki
Please make a generous donation to the following organizations:
Children And Nature Network
Children’s Defense Fund
First Responders Children’s Foundation
Habitat for Humanity
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Mental Health America
No Kid Hungry
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
THANK YOU!
Vikki
There are various interpretations of the Duty to Protect Doctrine across the country. Unfortunately, the language can be nuanced and sometimes vague altogether. There is no uniform language of instructions in many circumstances. Be that as it may, therapists providing psychological or clinical sessions with patients have an important role in guarding the latter’s privacy.
First, the therapist should exhibit professionalism in attitude and behavior. Second, the therapist should provide the best treatment for the patient’s condition that their expertise allows. Third, the sessions should be held in the most secure office location imaginable. Fourth, conversations between the therapist and the patient in those sessions are confidential. Fifth, those conversations, when necessary and appropriate, can include the therapist’s supervisor for guidance. Again, these particular conversations are held privately. Sixth, the electronic filing system of patients’ medical records needs to have the utmost security system installed before a therapist even thinks about having their first patient. Finally, prescriptions made by the clinician for the patient can be considered correspondence, but that correspondence is solely between the therapist and the patient.
As an aside, when a patient threatens someone’s life, the therapist can throw out patient confidentiality altogether. Is the threat legitimate? They will have to use discernment to figure that out. The therapist will have entered the Duty To Warn Doctrine arena when they deem the threat valid! They will need to understand what their statute indicates before contacting the intended target, the intended target’s family, and finally, the police. In that order, to prevent another Tarasoff case!
Vikki
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), when left untreated with more contemporary medicines, can result in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) for the person infected (World Health Organization, 2024).
THE DEMOGRAPHICS
CELEBRITIES, FIRST*
For those of us who lived through the era decades ago, it was nearly impossible to watch the evening news without the newscaster announcing that another famous person had perished from the virus that causes AIDS.
Hollywood lost beloved individuals (i.e., acting performers, comedians, dancers, singers, musicians) we grew up watching on television, at the movies, and at concerts. Along with them were playwrights, interior designers, directors, producers, and many other talented individuals whose eternal light was dimmed. There were athletes we admired who experienced an untimely death from this destructive virus (Dobbins, 2021), (Shnayerson, 2013).
The fashion industry suffered an implosion of deaths of fashion designers, soon-to-be designers, photographers, models, cosmetic artists, stylists, and others who worked behind the scenes at fashion photo shoots and fashion shows because of HIV/AIDS (Doonan, 2013). Some of us may have purchased clothing, perfumes, colognes, and accessories from these designer lines.
Burke (2025) included a listing of more famous names who lost their battle with the disease in “Famous People Who Died Of AIDS”, which shows people from the worlds of work in journalism, science, literature, politics, business, and other industries.
WHEN THE VIRUS STARTED COMING AFTER REGULAR PEOPLE
The National Library Of Medicine (1991) talked about the women who became infected with HIV: “In 1989, eight years after the first report of a woman with AIDS, the number of cases of AIDS among women exceeded 10,000, accounting for roughly 9 percent of all reported cases in the United States. In addition, women constituted a growing proportion of all adult AIDS cases during this time period. Prior to 1984, women accounted for only about 7 percent of such cases; in 1989 the percentage had increased to slightly more than 10 percent. Through September 1990, 14,452 cases of AIDS had been reported among women, and approximately one-third of these cases were reported in the previous year (CDC, 1990).”
Furthermore, “Unlike the majority of cases among men, AIDS among women is inextricably linked to intravenous (IV) drug use. Of the 71 percent of female adult cases associated with IV drug use, 51 percent of these women were IV drug users themselves and 20 percent were sexual partners of IV drug users. Overall, 32 percent of women with AIDS reported sexual contact with high-risk male partners (including IV drug users). The impact of IV drug use can also be seen in the geographic, racial, and age distributions of women with AIDS. In fact, IV drug use may be the principal determinant of the demographic patterns that have been observed thus far” (National Library Of Medicine, 1991).
Unfortunately, pregnant women who became infected with HIV decades ago transmitted the disease to their infants.
Currently, for pregnant women infected with HIV, there are antiretroviral medications that need to be taken throughout their pregnancies. Also, for infected women with high viral loads (i.e., over 1,000) and unknown viral loads, a C-section is required to prevent the spread of the disease to their infants (i.e., perinatal infection) (HIVinfo.nih.gov, 2024).**
THE BLOOD SUPPLY PRODUCTS: WERE THEY SAFE?
When HIV/AIDS arrived on the scene, the experts were unsure what they were dealing with! They needed to understand the virus’s modus operandi.
The National Library Of Medicine (1995) emphasized that “The events marking the emergence of HIV in the United States and its transmission through blood and blood products are best understood in four periods. (1) Through the end of 1982, people were struggling to understand an emerging disease and characterize the risk of infection. (2) In early 1983 official meetings took place and public and private decisions established the blood industry’s early response to AIDS. (3) Meetings and other occasions for decisionmaking from mid-1983 through the end of 1983 provided many opportunities for blood banks, blood product manufacturers, regulatory organizations, and other agencies to reconsider the decisions of early 1983. (4) During 1982-1985, research on AIDS led to isolation of the virus and the development of a screening test.”
The reader can learn more about America’s blood supply issue back then through the National Library Of Medicine (1995) in “HIV And The Blood Supply: An Analysis Of Crisis Decisionmaking.”
GOOD NEWS!
There is a decline in the number of diagnosed cases of HIV! The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (2025) reported that “Progress in HIV prevention continues with estimated HIV infections declining 12% overall in 2022 compared with 2018, driven by a decrease (30%) among people aged 13 to 24. By transmission category, estimated infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact decreased 10% and infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use declined 27%. By race and ethnicity, Black/African American people experienced a substantial decrease (18%) in estimated infections. Furthermore, estimated infections fell 16% in the South.”
THE PREVENTION OF BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (2024) has an excellent article with various recommendations for keeping people safe from this disease.
FINALLY
What also needs to be emphasized is that when a person has unprotected sex with someone, they are not only sharing bodily fluids with that individual. They are sharing bodily fluids with EVERYONE that person has ever had sex with.
Be careful!
Vikki
References
Burke, J. (2025). Famous People Who Died Of AIDS. Retrieved From https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-died-of-aids/calistylie
Dobbins, L. (2021). 23 Celebrities Who Lost Their Battle With AIDS. Retrieved From https://www.hivplusmag.com/people/2021/11/11/celebrities-famous-died-death-aids-hiv
Doonan, S. (2013). Remembering Fashion’s Fallen Heroes. Retrieved From https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/09/aids-hit-the-fashion-industry-like-a-sledgehammer-lets-not-forget-its-victims.html
HIVinfo.nih.gov. (2024). HIV Medicines During Pregnancy And Childbirth. Retrieved From https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-medicines-during-pregnancy-and-childbirth
National Library Of Medicine. (1995). HIV And The Blood Supply. An Analysis Of Crisis Decisionmaking. Retrieved From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232419/
National Library Of Medicine. (1991). National Center For Biotechnology Information. Describing The Epidemic Of HIV Infection And AIDS Among Women And Children In The United States. Retrieved From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234066/
Shnayerson, M. (2013). One By One. AIDS: In Memoriam. Retrieved From https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/1987/03/devastation-of-aids-1980s
U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. (2025). HIV Data. Estimated HIV Incidence And Prevalence. Retrieved From https://www.cdc.gov/hiv-data/nhss/estimated-hiv-incidence-and-prevalence.html
U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. (2024). Preventing HIV. Retrieved From https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/index.html
World Health Organization. (2024). HIV And AIDS. Key Facts. Retrieved From https://docs.google.com/document/d/1McE8dd3Pq-1dTh7XLzqGdg0YDnS_n0n241IKFG9nLAU/edit?tab=t.0
________________________
*The usage of famous names is for the sole purpose of demonstrating how ruthless the virus became during the AIDS epidemic. The usage of famous names is NOT for the purpose of exploitation!
**These antiretroviral drugs that pregnant women use throughout their pregnancies are the same drugs recommended for ALL people diagnosed with HIV.
Y2K
9/11
War in Iraq
War in Afghanistan
Hurricane Katrina
The Global Financial Crisis
The Housing Crisis (this one caused the previous one!)
COVID-19 Pandemic
California Wildfires
Aircraft Disasters
Vikki
[VIDEO: THE POWER OF BOOKS: 25 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DAILY READING (SOURCE: EUREKA, 2023)]
As an aside, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, a book is a lovely gift for that special someone!
Vikki
Reference
Eureka. (2023, May 31). The Power Of Books: 25 Health Benefits Of Daily Reading. [VIDEO]. Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuJdIETNaRY
All too often, people say that overweight individuals need to pull themselves away from the dining room table. However, let’s look at other available alternatives that can cause weight gain.
Prescribed medications are one of the explanations for overweight individuals: Thyroid medication, birth control, arthritis, pain management, anti-depressants, and others are responsible for those additional pounds.
Also, peri-menopausal and menopausal women can increase pounds because of hormones not being released from the body.
The situation can become more complex for individuals when they have to take more than one of these medications. The potential is there that they can double their weight gain.
What needs to be addressed is that because of the additional weight gain, there’s the possibility of these individuals experiencing higher blood sugar levels, cardio issues, and blood pressure conditions (i.e., metabolic syndrome) which they did not have before taking any of these medications. Further, these individuals will now have to be prescribed additional medications for diabetes, cardio, and blood pressure.
As if that weren’t enough medical drama, a person with diabetes can experience personality changes until their blood sugar is deemed at a healthy level through diet and, yes, those other prescribed medications by their physician.
It can become quite an exhausting health odyssey and it’s all because of those initial medications!
Vikki
[VIDEO: “NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH” | MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA]
Vikki
Reference
Mental Health America. (2023, October 31). National Family Caregivers Month. [VIDEO]. Retrieved From https://youtu.be/L9_6hZpt7ms?feature=shared
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