The only month of the year where we seek out scary encounters is here! October is when we begin planning our Halloween outfits; we gather for ghostly encounters; we decorate with pumpkins, witches, and all things creepy. When it comes to mental health, let’s take fear out of the conversation.

As August arrives, so does the all familiar back-to-school scramble. Store aisles crowd with parents clutching crumpled supply lists searching high and low for that one specific item. Where are the college ruled notebooks? Why are there no RED folders left? 

Preparing for a new school year can feel like a race to check all the boxes before the bus even pulls up on day one. But there are crucial items that won’t be included on any lists sent out by schools… even if educators wish they could. 

Summer often arrives with anticipation, planned vacations, and more time with family and friends. For others, summer means packed calendars, pressure to make memories, and big expectations. It’s easy to get caught up in what we think our summers should look like instead of how our summers should feel.