Category: Health and Wellness
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Vilma’s Valentine: 5 Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love
Self-love |ˈsɛlfˈlʌv| (noun) — “A regard for one’s own wellbeing and happiness. Chiefly considered as a desirable rather than narcissistic trait.” Open question: The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. Can you love someone else if you don’t love yourself? In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, PEERS Program Assistant Vilma Sakalauskaite recently gave…
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Water and Blood
Water and Blood by Jean Lee Written by Jean Lee, translated into English by Veronica Liu Click here for Chinese language version 點擊此處可見中文 There was a middle age African American woman in my flower shop looking at flowers. She looked exhausted, has not slept well and is not dressed warm…
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8 Reads by Black Women that Broaden the Discussion about Mental Health
As a person who’s experienced bullying and bouts of depression during childhood after her parents’ divorce, one of the only things I drew hope and comfort from were books. Lots and lots of them. With that, came a natural love for writing which has continued to feed my endless appetite for reading through adulthood. Exploring…
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The Women’s March: Perspectives and Experiences
Last month, Oakland erupted with one of the largest public protests in recent memory. Tens of thousands took to the streets in solidarity with women’s rights and equality. Three PEERS staff members participated in the Women’s March. They relate their musings on collective activism and mental health below: Lyndsey Ellis, Program Coordinator: Being part of…
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Promo Video for East Bay Gives 2017
PEERS’ is participating in East Bay Gives, an online charitable giving event on May 4th, 2017. Feel free to check out our online profile and schedule a donation today!
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“Split” M. Night Shyamalan’s Bad View of Therapy
PEERS’ Best Now intern, Steve Hayes, discusses M. Night Shyamalan’s new movie “Split.” As I settled in to view M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film, ‘Split’, I was already preparing myself to see yet another person with a mental health diagnosis portrayed as “crazy” and wild as possible. I have seen many negative depictions of people…
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‘Collateral Beauty’: Humanizing Grief & Recovery
The Film In the aftermath of social tensions and collective mourning that stemmed from last week’s U.S. Inaugural event, I think it’s time to deepen the conversation on grief. Films, I believe, provide a safe space to engage on such a touchy subject. I recently saw ‘Collateral Beauty’, a drama starring Will Smith as an…
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A Dog Named Utah
A Dog Named Utah by Jean Lee Written by Jean Lee, translated into English by Veronica Liu Click here for Chinese language version 點擊此處可見中文 Saturday night, my husband and I went for a walk after dinner. As soon as we got home, my daughter’s little black puppy, Utah, greeted us. He looked so happy jumping up and…
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Kozi’s Korner: “The Key” Wellness Tool
Today I am going to share with you one of my many Wellness Tools. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term Wellness Tools, I will explain. The life altering evidence based practice that PEERS was founded on in 2001, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, aka WRAP, has as a pre-component to actually beginning…
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Well-Being Bibelots
“Bibelot |ˈbib(ə)ˌlō| (noun) — a small, decorative trinket; a knickknack. Many of us at PEERS keep personal objects nearby that instill a sense of positivity and wellness in our day-to-day lives. Please feel free to share your own wellness knickknacks with us on Facebook! Lynn Rivas, Associate Director: “Protection Stone” “My partner gave it to me.…