Learn About Your Mental Health Today

How to Navigate the Chaos and Find Calm in St. Louis

Insights and Strategies for Students in St. Louis, for both high school and college students.

Managing Thanksgiving Anxiety: Tips for Family and Mental Health Well-Being in St. Louis

Practical Strategies for Navigating the Transition Together

June is a month of celebration, reflection, and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month not only honors the rich history and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals but also highlights ongoing challenges, including those related to mental health. This period serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental well-being, inclusivity, and support.

At Open Arms Wellness in St. Louis, we understand the importance of addressing anxiety in small children, particularly when it pertains to school. School anxiety can manifest in various forms, such as separation anxiety, social anxiety, or generalized anxiety about academic performance. As caregivers and educators, it's crucial to provide support and tools to help children navigate these feelings effectively.

Mental health is a critical component of our overall well-being, deeply influencing how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us. In Columbia, Missouri, as in many other communities, the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, reflecting a growing awareness that psychological and emotional well-being is as important as physical health. This article delves into various aspects of mental health, challenges, and available resources, with a focus on the community of Columbia, Missouri.

Dealing with stress during final exams is a challenge faced by many students, particularly in high-pressure academic environments like those in Columbia, Missouri. The end of the semester brings a culmination of hard work and the pressure to perform well can be overwhelming. However, there are effective strategies to manage this stress and ensure academic success.

In Missouri, as in many other places, the topic of mental health is increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of overall well-being. Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It also plays a crucial role in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Good mental health isn't just about the absence of mental health problems; it's about maintaining a positive state of mind, where we feel capable, well, and robust.

College sports play a pivotal role in the lives of student-athletes, demanding physical and mental resilience. According to a survey conducted by the NCAA, it was found that student-athletes face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. The pressure to excel both academically and athletically, coupled with rigorous training schedules, places student-athletes at an increased risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology"; revealed that the prevalence of mental health symptoms among college athletes is comparable to, if not higher than, their non-athlete counterparts. These findings underscore the necessity of mental health support within college sports programs.

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, often overlooked or stigmatized in many societies. In St. Louis, Missouri, the awareness and acceptance of mental health issues have grown significantly over the years, leading to a more supportive community for those struggling with such challenges.

College life is a time of significant change and growth, but it also comes with unique challenges that can impact mental health. From academic pressure to social adjustments, students often find themselves juggling multiple stressors. Open Arms Wellness offers compassionate counseling for adults, teens, college students, and couples.

Adolescence, often romanticized as a time of camaraderie and exploration, can also be a period of profound isolation for many teenagers. In a world seemingly more connected than ever before, a disquieting paradox emerges: the rise of teenage isolation.

The teenage years are often portrayed as a period of carefree adventure and self-discovery. However, behind the facade of youthful exuberance, many teenagers grapple with a silent but deeply pervasive adversary: depression.

Adolescence is a time of rapid change, self-discovery, and the formation of social connections. However, for some teenagers, the journey through this critical phase is marked by a persistent and overwhelming fear: social anxiety. 

Divorce is a life-altering event for any family, but its impact on adolescents can be particularly profound. As teenagers navigate the complex journey from childhood to adulthood, the dissolution of their parents' marriage introduces additional layers of emotional, psychological, and social challenges. 

Adolescence is a transformative period marked by growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of success. Amidst achievements and triumphs, teenagers also face the inevitable challenge of failure. 

School anxiety is a common experience among children and adolescents, often manifesting as feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness related to academic performance, social interactions, or other school-related activities. 

The transition to a new school year is an exciting yet often nerve-wracking time for both children and parents. Whether it's the very first day of kindergarten or moving up to a higher grade, every new academic year brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. 

Most of us grew up with the stories of fairy tale love. The prince charming’s, coming into our lives, sweeping us off our feet. The damsel in distress that needs to be saved. You fed into this fantasy of happily ever after, as if once you find the one and fall in love, the rest is smooth sailing.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the LGBTQIA+ community is at a high risk for the deterioration of mental health. Within the last 7 years there has been a substantial increase in anti-queer legislation throughout the United States. The risk for the queer community has risen to a threshold point that the Human Rights Campaign has issued a state of emergency for this community starting in June of 2023. Based on laws recently passed, as well as the increase of violence, this state of emergency includes states that have been deemed unsafe to travel.

If your child or teen expresses a desire to transition to another gender, it's essential to approach the situation with love, acceptance, and understanding. Transitioning can be a complex and challenging process, and it's important to consider a variety of factors to support your child or teen in making the best decisions for their gender journey. Here are some things to consider when your child or teen wants to transition to another gender:

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your transgender child. Transgender children face unique challenges as they navigate their gender identity, and it's essential to provide them with love, acceptance, and support throughout their journey. Here are ten tips to help you build a strong and supportive relationship with your transgender child:

10 Unique Challenges Faced by LGBTQIA+ Kids in Today's World

How Open Arms Wellness Can Support Your Child in Becoming Who They Are

It’s time for an anxiety interruption. An anxiety interruption is anything that can decrease anxiety symptoms, even just a little, in the moment to regain control.

Psychiatrists can prescribe various medications to help manage your mental health symptoms. Learn more about these and other options available through psychiatry.

You've made the first and hardest step - deciding that you need help.  Now let us help you make the most of your sessions. No therapy is one size fits all, here's what you need to know before your first session. 

What happens on the first visit to a psychiatrist?

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek professional help. Both therapists and psychiatrists can be helpful in treating depression.

Perfectionism can be a difficult habit to break, especially for mothers who often feel a strong sense of responsibility for the well-being and success of their families.

Tips to help promote mental health in your teenager and tools to help you child navigate their own mental health journey.

If the title caught your attention, you should probably take a look.

Most people have experienced at least one trauma in their life. Cognitive processing therapy can be a helpful in means of moving forward from a traumatic event.

In the last few years, boundary setting is something that's getting more and more attention.

Let's talk about the myths around being "sick enough" related to eating disorders and seeking treatment.

Grounding is a practice that can help you pull away from flashbacks, unwanted memories, and negative or challenging emotions.

Let’s just say it: breakups suck.

Let's chat about the superpowers of borderline personality disorder that are often neglected. See how DBT can help harness the powers of BPD. 

Commonly, therapists recommend individual counseling in addition to couples counseling. But why? Starting both can bring your relationship game changing benefits. 

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences life has to offer, but it can also be one of the most challenging.

Experiencing financial struggles is normal. But what can you do when it gets out of hand and begins affecting your everyday life?

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or any other mental health concerns, reach out to 988 via text or phone call to be connected to a trained counselor for support.

The Sunday Scaries are back! Check out some helpful ways to alleviate back-to-school anxiety in your kiddo. 

We have some more strategies for tackling sibling rivalry. Learn how incorporating Gottman style approaches can improve your family dynamic!

So now that we know a few tips on addressing arguments among our kids, what's the next step? Take a look and see other ways to address sibling rivalry in your home.

See how online therapy in Missouri can actually help you achieve your mental health goals and fit into your schedule. 

Find out methods to help get your kids to stop the constant arguing.

 The History and the Impact of Sexual Assault Awareness

Experiencing sexual assault can have serious, even long-lasting impacts on mental health

Here are several tips on healthy communication to decrease the likelihood of arguing.

Tweens have been through quite a bit during the pandemic. Do you sometimes wonder if the effects will impact then later on?

There are only a few things in the human life span that are inevitable and certain – grief being one of  them.

No social media for teens is becoming more and more unreasonable. This article explains how limiting social media exposure in teens can help mental health 

Although the concept of mindfulness is simple,understand how to put it into practice in daily life can be challenging.  Here are some ideas.  

Help yourself and set a good example for you children by taking some time for yourself

Everyone has a sleepless night now and again worrying about tomorrow or reliving a past event. We all experience anxiety. But for some, it becomes overwhelming. Here are 11 signs you are experiencing anxiety.

The yellow flag of critique: This couples therapy technique helps you realize when and why you critique your partner.

Your origin story as a couple, just like a superhero.

The 8 minute monologue is one our favorite at home couple's therapy exercise.

The Sticky Note Treasure Hunt of Gratitude: Couple's Therapy Exercise.

Create the right mood between you and your partner by starting and ending today with this exercise.

Work you and your partner can do right now.

Watching your child deal with anxiety can be hard. Here are some practical steps to take at home.

Intrusive thoughts are a less appreciated form of OCD but can be equally crippling. 

As a parent, it is important to help your child understand what is and what is not bullying. 

What do all these letters mean after a therapists name?  There are a lot of variations.