Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, and celebration. But for many people, it can also bring up sadness, loneliness, or grief. You might be missing a loved one, navigating difficult family dynamics, or struggling with depression or anxiety. It’s normal to feel that way.

Feeling grief does not mean you are ungrateful. In fact, gratitude and grief can exist together. You can acknowledge your pain and still notice moments of light and comfort.

Family gatherings are supposed to be warm and joyful, but sometimes they bring stress, tension, or old conflicts to the surface. During the holidays, these situations can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions run high. Setting emotional boundaries is one of the most important ways to protect your mental health and enjoy the season.

Boundaries are not about being rude or distancing yourself from loved ones. They are about recognizing your limits, taking care of yourself, and showing up in ways that feel safe and healthy.

For many veterans, the transition from military life to civilian life can feel isolating. Even during the holidays, when everyone else seems to be celebrating, veterans may feel disconnected from friends, family, or their communities. Peer support can be a powerful tool to bridge that gap, helping veterans feel seen, understood, and supported.

Peer support isn’t therapy in the traditional sense, but it is a form of connection that can make recovery from depression, anxiety, trauma, or PTSD feel less lonely. It works because it comes from people who have shared similar experiences and understand what it’s like to serve.

If you’re a veteran, you’ve likely heard it before: “Call the VA.” The VA provides essential services for millions of veterans, but it isn’t the only option for high-quality mental health care. Many veterans and their families don’t realize there are community clinics, private providers, and nonprofit programs designed specifically to help veterans access care faster and with fewer barriers, especially during the holidays when symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD often intensify. The good news is that help is available, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Alleviant, we specialize in helping veterans access compassionate, evidence-based care quickly. We see most patients within 7 days of referral, so you can begin feeling supported right away, not weeks or months later.

Gratitude has become a popular buzzword in recent years, and for good reason. It can shift your perspective, calm your mind, and strengthen your mental health. But sometimes, the pressure to “just be grateful” can feel like it’s dismissing real pain.

True gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about learning to hold both joy and difficulty at the same time.

When life feels heavy, being told to “just be grateful” can sound frustrating or even impossible. Gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. It’s about gently noticing moments of goodness, even when things are hard. And science shows that doing so can actually help your brain heal and rebalance.

Kids and teens often turn to substances as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or feelings of isolation. While adults may see this behavior as rebellion or experimentation, the underlying need is usually something deeper: connection and support.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we focus on helping children, teens, and families meet these needs in healthy ways that reduce the risk of substance use.

Teen substance use is often more than a phase or a rebellion—it can be a way for young people to cope with stress, emotional pain, or mental health challenges. Understanding the reasons behind self-medication is critical for parents, educators, and caregivers who want to provide support rather than judgment.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we emphasize addressing the underlying mental health needs that can lead to risky behaviors.

Between the ages of 11 and 14, children experience significant emotional, social, and cognitive development. This period is often when anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health concerns first appear. Early identification can help prevent struggles from worsening and supports academic, social, and emotional growth.

Red Ribbon Week is a time to raise awareness about substance use prevention and encourage healthy choices for all ages. While education about drugs and alcohol is important, one of the most effective ways to prevent substance misuse starts with mental health.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we know that emotional well-being, coping skills, and early support are key to reducing the risk of substance use.

For years, ADHD has been thought of as a condition that mostly affects boys. Because of this, countless girls and women have grown up without answers, often struggling silently with symptoms that don’t fit the “classic” picture of ADHD.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we believe it’s time to bring attention to how ADHD shows up differently in girls and women, and why it so often gets missed.

Too often, people wait until they are at a breaking point before reaching out for mental health support. Maybe it’s because they don’t feel “bad enough” to ask for help, or because they believe care should be reserved for moments of crisis. The truth is, you don’t need to wait until life feels unmanageable to deserve care.

On World Mental Health Day, October 10, we want to remind you that your mental health matters every day, not just in moments of emergency.

When most people think of ADHD, they picture challenges with focus, organization, or restlessness. While those are important aspects, they don’t tell the full story. Many people living with ADHD also experience emotional symptoms that often go unnoticed or misunderstood.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we believe it’s important to talk about this side of ADHD so people can feel seen, understood, and supported.

It’s easy to talk about the importance of mental health, but real change comes when we take action. Supporting your mind doesn’t always require huge steps. In fact, small daily practices can make a big difference in how you feel and how you show up for others.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we encourage practical, doable actions that anyone can take to nurture mental well-being. Here are 10 things you can do today to support your mental health.

When most people picture depression, they think of someone who looks sad, withdrawn, or unable to get out of bed. But depression doesn’t always look that way. Some people continue to show up at work, laugh with friends, and meet all of life’s demands while quietly battling an invisible struggle. This is often called high-functioning depression.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we want to shed light on this often-overlooked form of depression and encourage anyone experiencing it to seek support.

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, but it often goes undiagnosed. Many people are unsure if what they’re feeling really “counts” as depression, or they don’t know what to expect from the screening process. At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we believe that taking the first step toward support should feel simple, safe, and caring.

Since October 7 is National Depression Screening Day, this is the perfect time to talk about why screenings matter and what the process looks like at Alleviant.

As summer fades and the days grow shorter, many people notice changes in mood, energy, and motivation. These seasonal shifts can sometimes lead to seasonal affective changes, a milder form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or even full SAD in more severe cases. Recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps can help you maintain emotional balance and mental health throughout the fall and winter months.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we understand that seasonal changes affect everyone differently. Some people feel a dip in energy or motivation, while others experience increased irritability or sadness. Paying attention to your emotional patterns during this transition can help you implement strategies that support your well-being.

Self-care is more than a trendy phrase or occasional indulgence. It is a set of daily practices that support emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Science shows that small, consistent habits can have a significant impact on mental health, helping reduce stress, improve mood, and increase resilience.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we encourage patients to develop practical self-care routines that fit their lives. By focusing on small, achievable actions, you can make meaningful changes without feeling overwhelmed.

As summer winds down, many people notice changes in their mood and energy. The shift from longer, brighter days to shorter, cooler ones can bring feelings of sadness, anxiety, or restlessness. These emotions are common and natural. Acknowledging them and taking steps to support your mental health can help you transition into fall with balance and resilience.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we recognize that seasonal transitions can affect everyone differently. Paying attention to your emotional needs during this time is an important part of self-care.

As summer comes to a close, it is a natural time to pause and reflect. The season often brings a mix of relaxation, social activity, travel, and changes in routine. These experiences can provide valuable insights into your mental health and well-being. Taking time to reflect now can help you carry lessons forward into the months ahead.

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we encourage reflection as a tool for self-awareness, growth, and emotional regulation. By examining how you felt, what supported you, and what challenged you this summer, you can better understand your needs and plan for healthy habits in the fall.