Kristen Killinger, MS “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso When it comes to charity and giving to others, it’s easy to think about the impact made on the receiver, but what about on the giver? Whether you are giving or receiving, offering the service of time and charity can boost both mental and physical health. Through volunteering or providing services, those who contribute to others live longer and happier liv

Here we are approaching the end of a second full school year under the pandemic; a second year where school has not been “normal.” While...

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.” These are the words of American existential psychologist and author, Rollo May. In his work, May understood that our ability to engage and interact with one another was a cornerstone of human experience. Further, as one of the founding fathers of existential psychotherapy, May emphasized the importance of communication in developing a meaningful sense of self and connection to those a

Being a teenager in America is not what it used to be. In the past decade, the suicide rate has increased by nearly 40%, according to the CDC. One in five high school students reports that they have seriously considered killing themselves. Emergency room visits for teens cutting or engaging in other forms of self-harm has risen by a staggering 329% in the past decade. Meanwhile, the risk factors teens face are changing. Teenage pregnancy, driving under the influence, drug use

Consider a time when you were among others but felt like you didn’t belong; what could have made that experience different for you? What could have made you feel a better sense of community? By building communities around our students, we help them to feel as if they belong (because they do). However, if we don’t cultivate our own communities, how can we expect our students do the same? Social wellness is a key aspect to creating community and developing trauma-informed class

In recent years, mental health wellness has gained much more exposure in our popular culture than ever before. Celebrities, athletes, and other public figures have been more vocal about their own mental health journeys and self-care routines. This increased attention comes at a crucial time, as the compounding stress from the pandemic, economic recession, opioid crisis, social unrest, and global conflicts have all contributed to a substantial jump in mental illness. Unfortuna

“Knock, knock?” “Who’s there?” “Nobel.” “Nobel who?” “Nobel, that’s why I knocked!” This joke might not be all that funny to you as an adult but, to a student, it usually is hilarious. Children love knock-knock jokes, puns, funny faces, unusual sounds, books read in silly or different ways, and all sorts of other things that make them laugh. Through my work with kids in kindergarten through 5th grade, I have found that students respond and have better engagement with me when

When was the last time you were curious? What occurred that made you experience the childlike inquisitiveness that we see in your students? And, what could you do to regain that curiosity and wonder, if it has been long-gone? These are questions worth exploring, as curiosity is one of the key contributors to our creativity and ingenuity as humans. Specifically, curiosity plays a vital role in maintaining our intellectual health throughout the lifespan. Thus, finding ways to k

A few weeks ago, I was presented the opportunity to de-stress in a Himalayan salt room with the School-Based team. Initially, I was unsure what to expect. Although I was familiar with Himalayan salt lamps and had used them in my therapy room, I really didn’t know what they did. Thus, a few members of the team went to SALTEFX in Harrisburg. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the owner, who started by explaining the potential health benefits of the salt room. She elaborated that

How would you define “spirituality”? Despite being an abstract, subjective concept, one general definition might be a recognition of and/or connection to something greater than your individual human experience . While, for some, this includes adhering to a particular religious system or beliefs in a specific god or deity, this is not necessarily the case. For example, some might describe their experience of “God” as being a connection to nature (the G reat O ut D oors, so to

Traumatic events trigger biological changes in the human brain that can impact brain development, especially in children. For individuals who experience trauma on a regular basis, these changes can result in physical and mental health problems. Research has shown the more traumatic experiences a person has in their lifetime, the higher the risk of health issues later in life. The team at Laurel Life uses a trauma-informed approach to providing mental health services, focusing

When discussing personal and professional growth, a frequently-drawn comparison is to that of plants. Some examine establishing a work culture that is like good soil, fostering individuals’ growth. Others emphasize having strong foundational roots, from which the person’s experiences can expand and branch out. However, these similes and metaphors all presuppose that, given the right surroundings, growth is inevitable. Unfortunately, as many a gardener will tell you, sometimes

How Drama, Art, and Dance Can Help Promote a Socially and Emotionally Healthy Classroom As teachers, we routinely interact with students who experience a multitude of issues. Some look at school as the safest, most predictable place they can go. Others hate coming to school, dreading what they will encounter that day. Still others fear for their younger siblings at home while they are gone. And, for some, socialization is an intimidating work-in-progress, both with other chil

Growing up on a family farm without many friends nearby was difficult for me as a child. I always wanted to go across the yard and play with other kids but, unfortunately, we had cows for neighbors. Thus, the feeling of isolation from my friends was tough; but, I had my parents there to keep me company and help me, especially with my school work. Little did I know how invaluable their interest in my education would be! Throughout my 23 years of working with children and paren

The COVID-19 pandemic affected us all greatly. We are still looking at some of the long-term effects that months of isolation took on people. As clinicians who have experience in mental health prior to the pandemic we noticed a drastic increase in mental health concerns after the pandemic. We have noted that the level of need has drastically increased. It seems that the pandemic has exacerbated previously existing mental health concerns and aided in the development of new ill

Do you ever find yourself experiencing one thing in the moment, and getting tripped up by some internal experience lingering around from the past? On the other hand, have you ever tripped over clutter left lying around (by yourself, your spouse, student etc.)? I know I have . The pain and frustration, from stubbed toe or banged shin, both rising. If this is a regular occurrence, it may speak to our overall environmental wellness. What do you think of when you hear the phrase

I started doing Adopt-A-Cow through Discover Dairy last school year because Steelton-Highspire was virtual most of the year. I grew up on a 500-acre dairy farm in Lancaster County so agriculture is always something that has been near and dear to my heart. In a zoom early into the 2020-2021 school year, one of my kids mentioned that milk came from the store; we had this whole conversation that milk actually comes from cows on a farm. Most of my students at Steelton Elementary

How expressive arts use the brain, body, and imagination to facilitate the healing process. What is Expressive arts therapy? Expressive arts therapy is an integrative, multimodal approach that utilizes a variety of methods including writing, music, visual arts, drama, and dance to help people achieve personal growth. 5 Major Domains: Art Therapy Music Therapy Dance/Movement Therapy Poetry/Bibliotherapy Drama Therapy What makes expressive arts therapies so effective? The body

There are many career options available in the field of mental health, including numerous counseling roles. Most counseling positions...

“Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product.” This was an intriguing statement from Ban Ki Moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations, during the 2012 international conference on happiness and well-being. The former UN General Secretary commented that the “Gross National Product has long been the yardstick by which economies and politicians have been measured” and suggests that happiness be included in our standard calculations of progress. This is being c