Mental Health Matters

Grief

Grief and Growth During the Pandemic

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Grieving is the process of coming to terms with what you have lost. Growth occurs when we learn from the experience.

Grieving is the process of coming to terms with what you have lost. Growth occurs when we learn from the experience.

Academic Problems and Skills

Should We Celebrate or Mourn the End of Handwriting?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Cursive writing has a long and beautiful history. But for those of us who are handwriting-cursed, computers are a lifesaver.

A Personal Perspective: Cursive writing has a long and beautiful history. But for those of us who are handwriting-cursed, computers are a lifesaver.

Memory

The George Santos Problem

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

We all forget details from our past. But apparently, George Santos forgot that he didn’t go to college.

We all forget details from our past. But apparently, George Santos forgot that he didn’t go to college.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

For a Happier New Year, Consider the Way You Think

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on January 1, 2023

If wishes were horses, we would all ride happily into the new year. Instead, we need to learn how to ride herd on our thoughts.

If wishes were horses, we would all ride happily into the new year. Instead, we need to learn how to ride herd on our thoughts.

Stress

Find Magic During the Holidays and the Other Days

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on December 23, 2022

Expecting a single holiday to generate enough magic to last the whole year is a gamble. Looking for magic in our daily lives might be a better bet.

Expecting a single holiday to generate enough magic to last the whole year is a gamble. Looking for magic in our daily lives might be a better bet.

Sleep

No Time, or Time to Say No? Changing Our Approach to the Holidays

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on November 24, 2022

"'Twas the night before the holiday and all through the house, no one was sleeping, not even the mouse." Why we need to do less to enjoy the holidays more.

"'Twas the night before the holiday and all through the house, no one was sleeping, not even the mouse." Why we need to do less to enjoy the holidays more.

Health

Mental Illness Is a Health Issue, Not a Halloween Costume

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on October 31, 2022

Mental illness is a health condition, not a supernatural phenomenon. Surely we can enjoy Halloween without confusing the two.

Mental illness is a health condition, not a supernatural phenomenon. Surely we can enjoy Halloween without confusing the two.

Education

Academic Experts and the General Public Must Learn How to Understand Each Other

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on September 17, 2022

Relationships work best when people understand each other. It’s time for the education community and general public to learn to speak the same language.

Relationships work best when people understand each other. It’s time for the education community and general public to learn to speak the same language.

Stress

States' Rights Doesn’t Mean Your State Is Always Right

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on August 6, 2022

A Personal Perspective: The Golden State and the Lone Star State often seem at odds. But are we really all that different?

A Personal Perspective: The Golden State and the Lone Star State often seem at odds. But are we really all that different?

Career

Does Your Summer Feel More Busy Than Lazy?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

Summertime and the living is busy. Where did we go wrong?

Summertime and the living is busy. Where did we go wrong?

Stress

We Need to Start Thinking Differently About School Safety

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on June 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: It’s time to make schools a safe place for kids to “laugh and play” again.

A Personal Perspective: It’s time to make schools a safe place for kids to “laugh and play” again.

Forgiveness

Should We Blame Chris Rock, Will Smith, or Ourselves?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on April 7, 2022

Mental health matters, even at the Oscars. What can we learn from the “slap” heard around the world?

Mental health matters, even at the Oscars. What can we learn from the “slap” heard around the world?

Stress

Winning Isn’t Everything

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 25, 2022

We aren’t sure about the tree in the forest, but if an athlete falls in an empty stadium, it still takes a toll on their mental health.

We aren’t sure about the tree in the forest, but if an athlete falls in an empty stadium, it still takes a toll on their mental health.

Use the "five Ws" of journalism—who, what, why, where, and when—to help you understand what's influencing your behavior.

Tis the season to remember that one man’s junk is someone else’s treasure.

We’re not over the politics and through the pandemic yet. So, do we still want to go to Grandma’s house for the holidays?

Imagine that Roy Rogers was bucked off his horse. Would it have benefitted him more to get back on, or to spend the rest of his life giving "Trigger" warnings?

We live in a rapidly changing world. So why are college degrees still based on a model that originated centuries ago?

Embarrassment

Is There Still Time to Reconsider the Olympic Ideal?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on August 10, 2021

Some sportscasters have claimed that athletes need to redeem themselves after a failure. Do they put unrealistic pressure on competitors?

Some sportscasters have claimed that athletes need to redeem themselves after a failure. Do they put unrealistic pressure on competitors?

Stress

We Have Focused on the Medal Count at the Olympics for Too Long

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on July 28, 2021

Simone Biles didn’t earn a gold medal yesterday. But by prioritizing her own mental health she earned a perfect score.

Simone Biles didn’t earn a gold medal yesterday. But by prioritizing her own mental health she earned a perfect score.