The past couple of years has been challenging for many. To tip the top of the iceberg, we are entering 2022 with newfound skills of hope and perseverance due to enduring the wrath of the new omicron COVID strain. The ability to sustain the test of sanity, and the inability to socialize during 2021, is a feat all on its own; the need to look at the positives will outweigh the bad experiences that tagged along with the first round of COVID. The slight positive notions that came, such as a glimpse of normalcy with businesses opening, activities resuming, and lessened restrictions, gave the world hope. Now more than ever, the world is looking for an opportunity to come back stronger than ever. The evidence of the worlds’ endurance proves the skills possessed to continue. There are a few who need more help than others. The construction of resilience in people is now a skill everyone must be exposed to move ahead. Below is a list of what you can do to assist in building strength in others.

Model Positivity: When a challenge is presented, model a “can do” attitude.

Praise often: Make sure to point out and comment on all the good things a person is doing to reinforce success. Everyone loves to feel the recognition.

Frame positive connections: Encourage positive, solid, and loving relationships with loved ones and friends.

Goal setting: Make setting goals normal and set realistic goals to work towards.

Turn problems into opportunities: Taking disappointment right after another is demanding already. Show a different perspective on challenges and turn them into opportunities to learn and grow.

Self-Care: To keep fighting the good fight and maintain self-care is a priority. Take time to find a sense of inner peace and relax.

Selfless service: Empower them to find worth in giving to others in need.

Remember, there are always opportunities to grow, and these are a few ways to keep going. In many cases, the comeback is more fruitful than the setback.

Join us as we bring awareness to Mental Health Month by entering your expressions of healing art into our community art showcase. From May 16th – May 31, 2021, community art submissions will be displayed around and throughout our hospital.

For more information or to submit your art, please email [email protected].

Lacey, WA—May 10, 2021—South Sound Behavioral Hospital, a leader in behavioral health care in The South Sound, announced that Terrance “TJ” O’Reilly has been named Chief Executive Officer.

O’Reilly’s appointment is a clear reflection of the hospitals’ current state: ready to take on the future in behavioral health and focused to provide the best patient care for the community. South Sound Behavioral Hospital is poised for significant expansion in treatment offerings and excited that TJ’s unique experience in developing effective programming will help the community receive quality care.

O’Reilly served as Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, located in DeSoto, Texas, and has held executive leadership roles at Haven Behavioral Hospital of Frisco and multiple Universal Health Services “UHS” residential treatment centers. During which time, O’Reilly focused on improving patient satisfaction, implementing programming, and improving quality compliance.

O’Reilly also served on the Dallas Behavioral Health Leadership Team, the DeSoto Economic Recovery Advisory Task Force, and the North Star Collaborative.

“Our goal is to teach our patients the skills needed to maintain a healthy productive life through our Trauma Informed Care Programming”, said O’Reilly.

As CEO, O’Reilly will lead South Sound Behavioral Hospital’s efforts to be a community partner, provide quality patient-centered care, and improve the well-being of each client served.

O’Reilly obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Montana in 1999. He became licensed as a registered nurse in 2011. O’Reilly went on to complete his Master’s in Business Administration from Franklin University in 2013.

About South Sound Behavioral Hospital

South Sound Behavioral Hospital is a behavioral health hospital with a primary focus on mental health, located in Lacey, Washington. The facility currently offers a 108-bed Adult Inpatient Mental Health Program, a Women’s Program, and Adult Intensive Outpatient Program. This spring the hospital will be expanding treatment offerings to include a Withdraw Management Program. The goal is to be an ally to those in our local community in need of mental health and substance use treatment. To help accomplish this goal, we provide mental health assessments 24/7, at no charge.

For additional information on South Sound Behavioral Hospital, please contact Director of Business Development, Nicole Green at (360) 338-1318.

It’s mid-February, just six weeks away from spring, but still in the thick of the winter. It can often feel like the days are only a few hours long, the nights are so cold you want to stay in bed, and there is just nothing to do with yourself.

Each year around this time, many of us tend to get down in the slumps. The holidays have passed, the excitement of the New Year has settled, and in many ways, it feels like back to the same day in, and day out things we did the year before, just colder, grayer, and nothing to do. Many people struggle with feelings of sadness, or even full-blown depression, during the winter months; this is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

If you are one of the many that experience SAD, here are a few tips to help you through:

Self-care: Right now is the perfect time for self-care before the weather warms and the busyness of Spring & Summer begins.

• Start working out in perpetration for those summer hikes you like to take each year. Your lungs and heart will be grateful!
• Begin a new skincare routine, as it typically takes about three months before you notice any improvements (you now have the time).
• Learn a new hobby that forces you to develop mentally or psychically, like yoga, meditation, and stillness.

Personal Development: Learning new things is always the best way to pass the time; it keeps you busy and learning something new, which can help you in so many areas of your life.

• Practice cooking new meals you will look forward to sharing with your family and friends during warm weather get-togethers.
• Learn a new skill you can apply to your current position at work or turn into a new form of work for yourself.
• Learn how to become better with Money – making it, saving it, and investing it.

Start Planning: Gardener? Vacationer?

• Now is the perfect time to start planning and prepping your garden beds, what you will grow or try growing for the first time.
• Book your vacations, map out those many trips! Doing this gets you ahead of everyone else and gives you something to look forward to each day.

While other things contribute to SAD like lack of sunlight and vitamin D, if you can use this time of year as your opportunity to focus on personal development and self-care, it makes it a little easier.

You can do countless things to pass the winter blues, but if you still find yourself feeling down with all of this, do not hesitate to call us on 24/7/365 at (844) 949-8888.