Jenny Maenpaa
Supporting Yourself and Loved Ones Through ...

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the significance of mental health and the support systems needed for those of us who are grappling with negative aspects of it. Mental health struggles can be isolating, overwhelming, intensely confusing, and often invisible to the naked eye. Yet, amidst the darkness, there can be light in the form of empathy, understanding, and unwavering support from loved ones. When we speak about mental health, we often only highlight the down sides of mental health struggles, and forget to mention the incredibly positive impact taking care of and supporting our mental health can have. 

Supporting Yourself and Loved Ones Through Mental Health Challenges: A Guide for Mental Health Awareness Month
Jenny Maenpaa
Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear ...

Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear and Taking Action

In recent years, a new term has entered our collective vocabulary: climate anxiety. This phenomenon reflects the growing concern and fear many people feel about the current and future state of our planet. As the consequences of climate change become increasingly apparent, more of us are experiencing heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and despair. The sense of impending doom can be overwhelming, so we’ve gathered some info and tips on how to acknowledge these feelings, support yourself through them, and find ways to cope and take action.

Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear and Taking Action
Jenny Maenpaa
Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding ...

Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence in ADHD and Autism

April 2nd is World Autism Day, and since we work with many adults with diverse diagnoses, we wanted to shed some light on neurodivergent conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and how they’re commonly misunderstood. You probably know plenty of neurodivergent people and don’t even realize it, or maybe you’ll see some of your own traits in this blog! The term neurodivergent is an umbrella term that describes people who have different neurological abilities from those who are considered “typical” (though we don’t love that terminology since everyone’s brains are wildly different from one another!), which includes both ADHD and ASD. These conditions, though widely recognized, are often surrounded by misconceptions that can lead to stigma and alienation. 

Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence in ADHD and Autism
Jenny Maenpaa
“We get it, you’re afraid of women. You should ...

Here’s my 5-step beginner’s plan for dismantling the patriarchy.

“We get it, you’re afraid of women. You should be.”

motherhood

Work Barbie: How the Ideal of "Having it All" Impacts Women's Mental Health and Ways to Combat It

Work Barbie: How the Ideal of "Having it All" Impacts Women's Mental Health and Ways to Combat It

Work Barbie: How the Ideal of "Having it All" Impacts Women's Mental Health and Ways to Combat It

In the pursuit of equality and empowerment, women have been encouraged to embrace the idea of "having it all:" a successfully balanced career, family, and personal life, without compromising any aspect. This concept, often symbolized by the iconic "Work Barbie," and highlighted in the recent Barbie movie, has been ingrained in societal expectations, portraying women as effortlessly managing multiple roles with impeccable grace, ease, and style. However, behind this façade lies a reality that can significantly impact women's mental health.

Maternal Mental Health & The Hidden Side of Motherhood

Maternal Mental Health & The Hidden Side of Motherhood

A few days ago, we celebrated Mother's Day. A day designed to honor and spoil mothers. It sounds nice, right? And it is— for some—like those with a healthy relationship with their mother and those who desired and had children in their ideal situation. But society tends to glamorize motherhood, which can place unbearable pressure on people who struggle with things like the desire to be a mom, the identity shift that occurs in motherhood, how to balance all the responsibilities of life, and the anxiety of the many unknowns that come with raising children

The Tragic Reality of Pregnancy and Infant Loss

The Tragic Reality of Pregnancy and Infant Loss

T/W: miscarriage, infant loss

There are a lot of awareness days and months on the calendar that get a lot of attention. Most people know Black History Month is in February and Pride Month is in June. And it's important we continue to build awareness around these. But there are also lesser-known awareness days and months trying to bring attention to issues that many people are struggling with such as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

What Unexpected Gifts Did Quarantine Give Parents and Caregivers?

What Unexpected Gifts Did Quarantine Give Parents and Caregivers?

What Unexpected Gifts did Quarantine Give Parents and Caregivers?

Even though it wasn’t by design and during a tremendously difficult period, slowing down, spending more time with family, and doing projects benefitted families unexpectedly during quarantine.