Emotions can be experienced like a wave. Some waves are calm and gentle while others are rough and destabilizing. They can be brief or prolonged, they can be sudden or anticipated in advance. Regardless, they all have an onset, eventually dissipate and have a reason for showing up in the first place. Artist credit: Brit Chida (they/them); britchida.com When paired with mindfulness, observing this wave has profound benefits because it allows individuals to both deepen their insight into what...

Welcome to the next installation in the exploratory series of Mental Health Themes in Music!Today, we’re looking at a song from the 2014 album, “Heart Murmurs,” by Minneapolis based indie pop artist, Jeremy Messersmith. Let’s take a look at the beautiful and dynamic sentiments from “Hitman.” “I need a hitman for my heart Someone to bump it off a balcony Nonchalantly leave the scene I need a hitman for my heart It doesn't care who might get hurt Never thinks, only loves recklessly Slow, but...

Happy Pride, y’all! While we have come a long way in the acceptance of LGBTQ+ identifies and fighting for equal rights, Pride is still incredibly crucial for continuing our progression forward. Internalized stigma and shame is still, unfortunately, too common and it has a profoundly harmful impact on mental health. According to an article about trauma in the LGBTQ+ community, by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “As a result of trauma, LGBTQI individuals may turn to negative...