MENTAL HEALTH

Columns

Positively moving forward into 2023

While most of us will not have an opportunity to change the world, looking for, and doing, good can make it better for those with whom we come in contact.

Sad Upset Lonely Girl Crying Next to Her Christmas Tree

Lifestyle

5 ways to destress during holidays

Set an intentional one-word theme; create a morning ritual; and other tips.

November 22, 2022 06:30 PM

Columns

Judds' concert serves as reminder that even when strength fails we can remain determined

A planned weekend away to a country music concert gave Katie Pinke a reminder of support for mental health after seeing and hearing Wynonna Judd on stage who lost her mother and singing partner Naomi Judd to mental illness this year.

October 14, 2022 05:30 AM

A woman in blue sits in a neat office with a desktop computer, flanked by country art.

Business

USDA grant pays for stress counseling for ND farmers

Becky Kopp Dunham, co-owner of Together Counseling and its “Farm to Farm Services,” talks about pressures from uncertainties coming to bear on North Dakota farm and ranch families. Sean Brotherson, a North Dakota State University Extension family specialist, describes the multi-state grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that can help farmers under stress.

October 10, 2022 05:30 AM

Latest Headlines

Health

At 988 call centers, crisis counselors offer empathy — and juggle limited resources

For people experiencing a mental health crisis, calling 988 can be a lifesaving decision. But what happens after they call depends on where they are. The new 988 system launched in mid-July, and one early estimate said calls went up 45% nationally during the first week.

September 14, 2022 09:00 AM

By Brett Sholtis / WITF

A family of four, all wearing Minnesota Twins regalia, sits on a statue of a baseball glove.

Columns

Sometimes, you need to leave the farm to keep it going

It can be hard for farmers and ranchers -- and in particular those with livestock -- to truly take a break. But getting away makes you better at what you do.

August 29, 2022 05:30 AM

By Jenny Schlecht

A man in his 70s sits for an interview on the AgweekTV set.

Business

Gary Tharaldson reflects on Ryan Thorpe’s impact

Gary Tharaldson, North Dakota’s successful hotel developer and owner of Tharaldson Ethanol in Casselton, North Dakota, describes how his company will move forward after the death of chief operating officer Ryan Thorpe. Tharaldson urges people to check in on others but said there was no warning at work that would have predicted the tragedy of Thorpe's death by suicide.

August 08, 2022 05:30 AM

By Mikkel Pates

Health

The 988 mental health hotline is expanding, but rural areas still face care shortages

Rural Americans, who die by suicide at a far higher rate than residents of urban areas, often have trouble accessing mental health services. While 988 can connect them to a call center close to home, they could end up being directed to far-away resources.

August 06, 2022 10:00 AM

By Christina Saint Louis / Kaiser Health News

A man and woman smile for a photo while the man holds a dummy head with a cap on it.

Health

Sanford research aims to get to the bottom of binge eating

Studies at the Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research are looking at how inadequate sleep is related to binge eating and how some people process images of food and body type relate to binge eating. Both studies are recruiting participants.

July 25, 2022 05:33 AM

By Patrick Springer

Health

Alternative depression treatment uses magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses magnetic pulses to activate parts of the brain that are underused in people with depressive symptoms. TMS is especially effective for medication-resistant depression.

July 10, 2022 10:00 AM

By Laura Butterbrodt

Health

Veteran talks about removing stigma around PTSD, mental health

With the stigma around mental illness, and PTSD in particular, promoting stereotypes that depict people with PTSD as dangerous, unpredictable, incompetent or to blame for their illness has led many to avoid mental health services. With the increasing incidence of suicide and suicide attempts among returning veterans, concerns about depression prompted veteran Christopher Deery to disregard the stigma and seek a mental health assessment.

July 09, 2022 10:00 AM

By James B. Miller, Jr.

Tammy Swift online column sig revised 3-16-21.jpg

Lifestyle

The agony of Father's Day after losing a child

After recently losing his teenage son, a grieving dad faces his first Father's Day. It's a reminder that we need to be there for parents who have lost children — and be grateful for our own families as well, columnist Tammy Swift says.

June 17, 2022 11:00 AM

By Tammy Swift

Health

Your brain on food: Exploring the link between diet and mental health

Delores Alleckson, a nurse practitioner at Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes, often sees people with a variety of mood disorders. Alleckson said some disorders require medications, while others can be addressed with dietary changes, or a combination of both.

May 28, 2022 10:00 AM

By Barbie Porter