Bullying is often intentional and targets a specific person, intentionally trying to either hurt or harm them. Bullying will often be repetitive, and it can be seen as an imbalance of power. Bullies will use force or coercion to intimidate or scare you. I often like to tell the youth that I work with a little secret…Bullies are hurting on the inside, way more than we can imagine. Often times people who hurt or cause harm to others are hurting too, and find that attacking others is a way for them to cope. It’s not a good way by any means. Bullies often see it as one of their outlets or ways to release their pain and sadness. Bullies often have so much more going on at home.

Coping skills are techniques that we can use to help us manage or process our emotions. It is good to have coping skills that you may use in times of need

I realize more than ever the importance of incorporating grounding techniques to ensure that feelings of anxiety and stress are kept at par during our work days. These techniques help guide individuals to refocus on the present moment and create space between anxious feelings.

There are so many things that have an impact on these feelings of “joy and happiness” such as: the search for that perfect gift; cooking/baking for friends and family; dealing with the your own family dynamics AND the in-laws; missing those special people who have moved away or have passed before us; and, don’t forget the never-ending stress of how much money spent on gifts is enough, and how much is too much? If that list wasn’t long enough, this is Christmas number two coping with the effects of COVID-19! Here are six ways to help you cope with holiday stress.

Practicing different ways of observations can help to see things as they are, and not what they could or should be, and help you move through change.

If you’ve suffered a physical injury, it is likely that you felt pain for a period of time afterwards. Pain can be a warning sign that urges caution, but Serena encourages you to notice how you are feeling and be curious about your pain.

Serena Graf shares her personal experiences with pain following a physical injury and discusses the mental health aspects of recovery from a physical injury. She provides some helpful tips on how to navigate pain while recovering from an injury.