Resource Articles

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. During the past couple of years, there have many traumatic stressors that have impacted us. For some, there is a more lasting emotional effects, including intense feelings and disturbing thoughts related to their experience. Work/Life Connections-EAP shares some ways to help manage the intense feelings that come with a PTSD response.

To Mask or Not to Mask

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced fully vaccinated and boosted individuals may be safe without a mask in an outdoor and indoor setting. This might feel like a step towards resuming our lives as we did prior to the pandemic, but it will require a psychological re-adjustment. Work/Life Connections-EAP is available to help those who may feel anxious as we enter this new phase of the ongoing pandemic.

LGBTQI – What Do All the Letters Mean?

LGBTQI – What Do All the Letters Mean? Chris Purcell, Director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Life, offers insight on LGBTQI meanings and explores the services offered at the K.C. Potter Center in hopes of offering education and encouraging dialogue across the the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center campuses.

Alcohol Use Self-Assessment

According to the World Health Organization's moderate drinking guidelines, women should consume no more than one 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day, and men are to consume no more than two 5 ounce serving of alcohol per day.  A 5 ounce serving of alcohol is equal to one shot of 100 proof liquor or a 12 ounce mug of beer.  In addition, women should not consume more than 4 alcoholic beverages on any occasion, and men should not consume more than 5.  The more a person goes over these recommended amounts of alcohol consumption, the higher his or her risk for alcohol dependence.

Surviving Grief During the Holidays

Written by Ellen Clark, L.C.S.W. The holiday season brings an onslaught of media messages that say that this is "the happiest, most joyful time of the year." Holiday songs convey this message. Magazine covers extol the fun of decorating, cooking, and family gatherings. Consumers are pursued relentlessly to buy, buy, buy, and get that perfect gift. The holiday bar is set high. So why is it that many people find the holidays stressful, lonely, sad, and depressing?