I have been drinking a bit more since this pandemic started.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I have been drinking a bit more since this pandemic started. Many of my friends have too. I am having a harder time not drinking every day. What should I do? A: The first step is recognizing that you may have a drinking problem. Then: 1) Seek social connections. 2) Prioritize healthy coping mechanisms. Read more…
Sunday Funnies!
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Your daily dose of laughter can help decrease stress, relax your body, and increase endorphins (happy chemicals!). We hope you enjoy this little dose of Sunday laughter. If it helps, why not schedule some time for laughter every day (a favorite show, podcast, cartoons, laughs with friends, or even laughter yoga)? Share your favorite daily Read more…
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers? What can I do to help?
Mental Health Social and Racial Justice Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: People who work in healthcare are at risk for getting COVID-19 on the job and are also under tremendous stress from the demands of dealing with the pandemic. In the US, over 173,000 healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 and at least 742 have died. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, and support staff face increasing Read more…
Is it safe to give or receive hugs?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: Ekay from San Jose asks if it is safe to give or receive hugs? A: Hugs bring many psychological benefits AND can be done with relatively low risk. As you might guess, pandemic precautions still apply. If you plan on dishing out hugs, your SMART toolkit will help maximize the benefits which include happy Read more…
Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Q: I have been drinking a bit more since this pandemic started. Many of my friends have too. I am having a harder time not drinking every day. What should I do? A: The first step is recognizing that you may have a drinking problem. Then: 1) Seek social connections. 2) Prioritize healthy coping mechanisms. Read more…
Sunday Funnies!
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Your daily dose of laughter can help decrease stress, relax your body, and increase endorphins (happy chemicals!). We hope you enjoy this little dose of Sunday laughter. If it helps, why not schedule some time for laughter every day (a favorite show, podcast, cartoons, laughs with friends, or even laughter yoga)? Share your favorite daily Read more…
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers? What can I do to help?
Mental Health Social and Racial Justice Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: People who work in healthcare are at risk for getting COVID-19 on the job and are also under tremendous stress from the demands of dealing with the pandemic. In the US, over 173,000 healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 and at least 742 have died. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, and support staff face increasing Read more…
Is it safe to give or receive hugs?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: Ekay from San Jose asks if it is safe to give or receive hugs? A: Hugs bring many psychological benefits AND can be done with relatively low risk. As you might guess, pandemic precautions still apply. If you plan on dishing out hugs, your SMART toolkit will help maximize the benefits which include happy Read more…
Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Your daily dose of laughter can help decrease stress, relax your body, and increase endorphins (happy chemicals!). We hope you enjoy this little dose of Sunday laughter. If it helps, why not schedule some time for laughter every day (a favorite show, podcast, cartoons, laughs with friends, or even laughter yoga)? Share your favorite daily Read more…
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers? What can I do to help?
Mental Health Social and Racial Justice Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: People who work in healthcare are at risk for getting COVID-19 on the job and are also under tremendous stress from the demands of dealing with the pandemic. In the US, over 173,000 healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 and at least 742 have died. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, and support staff face increasing Read more…
Is it safe to give or receive hugs?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: Ekay from San Jose asks if it is safe to give or receive hugs? A: Hugs bring many psychological benefits AND can be done with relatively low risk. As you might guess, pandemic precautions still apply. If you plan on dishing out hugs, your SMART toolkit will help maximize the benefits which include happy Read more…
Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: People who work in healthcare are at risk for getting COVID-19 on the job and are also under tremendous stress from the demands of dealing with the pandemic. In the US, over 173,000 healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 and at least 742 have died. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, and support staff face increasing Read more…
Is it safe to give or receive hugs?
Mental Health Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Q: Ekay from San Jose asks if it is safe to give or receive hugs? A: Hugs bring many psychological benefits AND can be done with relatively low risk. As you might guess, pandemic precautions still apply. If you plan on dishing out hugs, your SMART toolkit will help maximize the benefits which include happy Read more…
Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Q: Ekay from San Jose asks if it is safe to give or receive hugs? A: Hugs bring many psychological benefits AND can be done with relatively low risk. As you might guess, pandemic precautions still apply. If you plan on dishing out hugs, your SMART toolkit will help maximize the benefits which include happy Read more…
Are you concerned about your kids spending too much time on screens?
Families/Kids Mental Health SchoolLauren Hale, PhD MA
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental Health
Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Dear Pandemic is thrilled to introduce this week’s Nerdy Guest, Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra. She is President and founder of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. Using her medical degree, non-profit experience, philanthropic resources, and a long-standing interest in media and children, Dr. Hurst-Della Pietra has become one of the field’s Read more…
Stress related to the pandemic has accelerated my substance use. How can I find the support I need?
Mental HealthShoshana Aronowitz, PhD FNP-BC
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: As we’ve discussed in past posts, the pandemic and other stressful current events have taken a toll on many people’s mental health. For some folks, this can exacerbate substance use issues. It can be really scary to feel like you don’t have control over your substance use, but there are places you can find Read more…
I am struggling with anxiety and maybe depression during this pandemic and nothing I have tried, from journaling to gratitude journaling, has worked.
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Q: I think I need a therapist. Where do I start? A: We will walk you through it. Before we do, we want to acknowledge your bravery. Many of us are going through this and we thank you for asking openly and honestly about how to find help. In fact, approximately 40% of Americans report Read more…
Yikes! I just cracked a tooth!! Can I blame the pandemic?
Mental Health Staying SafeAlison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: Yes! Dentists are seeing an uptick in cracked and damaged teeth that might very well be pandemic-related. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan prosthodontist, explained how COVID-19 might lead to dental fractures. (Info here is excerpted and adapted from Read more…
It’s the first day of virtual school and I’m already losing my mind. How am I going to survive this?
Families/Kids Mental Health SchoolMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: Parents, we see you. Parenting in a pandemic is hard. It’s really, really hard. Many parents are being tasked with managing virtual learning, often involving age-inappropriate expectations for our young children to spend hours (and hours) seated/on Zoom calls. All around us, parents–especially moms–are taking leaves of absence from their careers in order to Read more…
How can I support my elderly family member as the pandemic continues?
Families/Kids Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: Continue to ask your family member what his/her/their wishes are and how you can support; continue to engage socially through virtual means; encourage hobbies/activities/interests; and provide support to caregivers. We just love this cartoon that helps depict this. Full view as well as a printable guide available here. Stay safe. Stay sane. And let’s Read more…
I live alone. What things should I think about to keep on keeping on during this pandemic?
Mental HealthAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental Health
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: Whether you’re a student living in a studio apartment downtown or retired and living alone in the community, this pandemic has been HARD. Balancing infection control risks with social connection and extreme levels of uncertainty can be especially stressful when living alone. Three common areas of concern among individuals who live alone include maintaining Read more…
What is crisis fatigue?
Mental HealthLindsey Leininger, PhD MA
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: When life requires operating at “surge capacity” well beyond the initial surge. It’s bad for our brains and our bodies. Experts* recommend Three P’s to help cope: 1. Pick your battles wisely Put your energy into a few key priorities. Say “no” (or, if it’s helpful, “not yet”) to the peripheral. 2. Proactively seek Read more…
What are you nerdy girls doing to stay healthy in these crazy times?
Mental Health Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: Malia polled the NG’s, and here are some themes: exercise, mindfulness, getting outdoors, making connections with friends and family (by phone or Zoom, outside, or within our pods), doing what we love (and avoiding what we don’t love), takeout, and … bad TV. In fact, our back-channel chat on this question devolved (evolved?) into Read more…
Can you suggest any strategies to help support mental wellness during this pandemic?
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental Health
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Time for a little Sunday support with nerdy guest expert Dr. Caroline Connolly…. A: Yes! Here are three simple strategies that we can offer from positive psychology. Positive psychology can help us amplify the positive. It can help us build upon the best in ourselves, and from our lives. We can do this by engaging Read more…
What do we know about the true prevalence of COVID-19 “long-haulers”?
Clinical Symptoms Mental HealthAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe Videos
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
A: We are still learning about how many people who get COVID-19 fall into this category. A new article by Ed Yong (linked below) provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who have suffered long-term symptoms and sequelae from this infection and highlights some of the key knowns and unknowns. A few take-aways: Read more…
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college
Mental Health School Staying Safe VideosMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening School
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have been affected by the pandemic, getting sent home and coming back for the college Read more…
Young Adults, Mental Health, and College
Families/Kids Mental Health Reopening SchoolMalia Jones, PhD MPH
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental Health
Pandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
Nerdy Guest Amani Martorella chats with Malia about young adults, mental health, and college. Amani Martorella, MSSW, is the Senior Clinical Social Worker at the Johns Hopkins University’s student counseling center, and the senior staff advisor for A Place To Talk, a campus peer mental health support group. She talks about how college students have Read more…
Hamilton Parody Video
Mental HealthPandemic getting you down? Try these strategies to boost your mental health: – Mindfulness – Laughter – Hamilton parodies Link to original FB post
