Life often presents us with challenges that shake the very foundation of our mental and emotional well-being. Whether it’s navigating personal loss, facing unexpected adversity, or adapting to significant changes in our communities, the road to healing can feel overwhelming.

Today, we are sharing two tales from two tables that reflect the things that social media is not able to capture: the hurt that comes with the season and the hearts that hold it.

September is a month of anxiety. New school. New teachers. New subjects. New schedule. New classmates. New routines to be established. Separation from our families. Learning how our homes function compared to other kids’. Socializing after so many months of being isolated and communicating through screens. Missing our families. Being exposed to different personalities.

February brought us the theme of “invite”. Although it seemed natural to approach the monthly theme of invite with some type of big party metaphor, it was not in my blood to do so. I am an introvert and therefore do not become energized by daily socialization. Continued socializing drains me; I can feel the energy leaving my body when I spend a lot of time with people. The closest metaphor I can give you in the name of “Invite” is a reference to J.R.R. Tolkien.

It is our hope that our readers and followers will acknowledge that we are holistic, complex, and multi-faceted human beings. Our wellbeing is conscious and self-directed. The wellness wheel reminds us that wellness is not merely the absence of suffering or illness, but the personal, meaningful, and intentional striving for positive wellbeing.

For six months, phrases like "social distance" and "new norm" have replaced courtesy hellos and casual dinner time talking. Many of you have been scrutinized, criticized, and minimized for your response to chronic stress, uncertainty, loss, and the risk of mortality. These factors, compounded by political discord, have created a perfect storm for a mental health crisis.