Head Injury Seminar Open to the Public

The Virtues of Journaling

Is the pen mightier than the sword? Maybe
However, researchers have found is that the pen (or computer keyboard) is mightier than our strong emotions.
People have been keeping journals for thousands of years, with journals dating to 10th century Japan. Historians have found journals, diaries and letters valuable in helping us learn what our ancestors were thinking and doing.

Research has now shown that journal writing can help keep you healthier and more mentally centered. For example, James Pennebaker at the University of Texas has found that writing as little as 15 minutes per day can strengthen one's immune system. University of Chicago researchers have shown that college students who wrote about their feelings before a test did 12 percent better than the non-journaling group.

Barbara Horton

John Heil on Sport & Healing

Spanish Language publication, El Mundo highlighted the efforts by sports organizations to reach out to the Japanese people in this terrible time of need. John Heil offers reasons why sport is so well suited to this type of support: Because of its relatively high visibility, its association with positive experiences, the broad appeal of sport across cultures and because of the way in which it can bring diverse groups together with a common goal.

The full article is available at: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elmundo.es%2Felmundodeporte%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2Fmasdeporte%2F1300201016.html

Charlie Finn on March (not) Madness

A Lot Like Fathers and Sons

It’s down to the Final Four.
You know the coaches by now,
see how each educates and motivates,
observe relationships a lot like fathers and sons,
see how all (save one) model acceptance of defeat
for the rest of us to follow,
teach what the players will remember
when they leave the court for life.
Even were I not an ACC fan
I think I’d be tipping my hat
to the likes of Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski
for what they’re modeling for the rest of us
when we return to the tournament of life.

For more Poetry by Charlie Finn: http://www.poetrybycharlescfinn.com/

OUR HEALTH Best Bedside Manner Awards

Congratulations to all health care providers who have been recognized in the annual OUR HEALTH Magazine, Bedside Manner Awards!! Over 33,000 votes were tabulated in determining this years award winners.

For the third consecutive year, Psychological Health’s J. Steve Strosnider, LPC is the winner for the Roanoke Valley in the area of Psychology.

Emily DeFrance,Ph.D. of the PHR Child Unit was recognized with a second place award. Receiving Honorable Mention are Psychological Health Roanoke Clinicians, Alison Allsbrook, LCSW, Lola Byrd Psy.D., John Heil ,DA. Sam Rogers, PhD, and Cathy Taylor, Psy.D .

OUR HEALTH Magazine- www.ourhealthvirginia.com

Law Officer Line of Duty Deaths - 2010

In REMEMBRANCE

In calendar year 2010 there were 162 Law Enforcement Officers killed nationwide, up 27% from the 128 Officers killed in 2009. In the line of duty 155 male and 7 female officers died, the youngest officer at age 23, and the oldest at 72 years of age. The 72 year old retired from the U.S. Marshal's after 26 years, and was working court security when a gunman walked into a federal court, then shot and killed him with a shotgun.

For more information: The Officer Down Memorial Page - www.odmp.org.

The New Year's Resolution Dilemma

The New Year’s holiday has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that your resolutions have to do so as well. Millions of American make resolutions, but only about 75% are able to keep their resolutions past the first week. So how can you keep your motivation?

For more information go to: http://www.suite101.com/content/new-years-resolutions-tips-on-keeping-a-new-years-resolution-a320314
OR
Check out our website for a variety of practical information on psychological matters: http://www.psychhealthroanoke.com/resources.html

Holiday Joys, Holiday Stresses

As the holidays approach focus on ways to make this time a joyful one despite the inevitable stresses and worries. Be realistic, don't expect everything to go as planned, and take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.
Remember that it is more important to open your heart, than open your pocketbook.

Best Wishes to All from Psychological Health Roanoke

ADHD & Holiday Spending

During the hustle and bustle of the season, we are bombarded with messages encouraging us to buy everything in sight. For many, this leads to overspending, which results in stress and other problems when the new year rolls around and the bills come in.

While this problem plagues many people, holiday overspending can be an especially acute issue for some adults with ADHD. Holiday spending pitfalls can be avoided through knowledge, planning, setting limits, and implementing appropriate strategies.

For more information- www.chadd.org/

Turkey & Pigskin

The culmination of the Fall season lies at the intersection of Friday Night Lights and the Thanksgiving Turkey. The Pilgrim born festivities we have embraced for centuries have become interwoven with America’s Games of Autumn. As distinct as these phenomenon might first appear, both are very much a part of the American spirit. What we celebrate in one way at the dinner table, we embrace in another on the field of play. Enjoy the abundance of it all, be thankful – and have some turkey.

Remembering Veterans

Medal of Honor recipients are speaking out about the needs of today's combat veterans, with the message:

Don't let the enemy defeat you at home -- if you return from combat and have concerns about your mental health, the tools and resources are here now. So make use of those resources and stay strong.

To hear this message in the words of the Medal of Honor recipients: http://www.medalofhonorspeakout.org/home

National Stress Øut Week, November 8-14

For many people, a glass of wine with dinner or a few drinks at a party is no cause for concern. However, people with an anxiety disorder who use alcohol or other substances to alleviate their symptoms may actually make their anxiety worse. And it can be a vicious cycle: The symptoms of one disorder can make the symptoms of another worse.

During National Stress Øut Week, November 8-14, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) encourages you discover the difference between everyday stress and an anxiety disorder; take time to relax and unwind; and find help for anxiety, substance abuse, and other disorders.

For more information- http://www.adaa.org/