Many people have lost loved ones to suicide, or have loved ones struggling with suicidal ideation due to mental health struggles. You might often hear the phrase, “There were no signs.” Yes, it is sometimes very difficult to spot the signs of someone struggling with...
This month is the time to raise awareness and advocate for those struggling with mental health. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. A few years ago, my friend started getting depressed. I noticed she was not engaging with her friends, family, and lost interest in her...
If you are familiar with the foster system, then you may know a thing or two about foster parent turnover. If not, you may be wondering what it is. Foster parent turnover is when foster parents quit fostering after being licensed. It is a difficult...
A.R.M.Y. Being a foster advocate or parent with no connection to resources, advocacy, and education is like a soldier going into battle with no army. The battle will be tough to win alone. This has been the reality for most of the foster community for quite...
July is Social Wellness Month! This is a time to recognize the importance of social connections and the impact they have on your well-being. Lack of social connections can lead to a decline in mental and physical health. Compass Health describes social wellness as, “one’s...
If you are a foster parent, you may be faced with a hard decision in life: making the tough call of answering “yes” or “no” to a child living in your care. But what follows when you make that final decision? Guilt? Feeling like you’ve...
Foster Coalition has been doing extensive work to make improvements in the foster system. Through training events, meetings and support groups, providing education and advocacy, collaboration with the community and fellow foster care advocates, and more, we have been able to make waves in the...
Mental Health Resources and Advice from Debra Patterson, clinical psychologist at Children's of Alabama and Cindy Jones, Director of Psychiatric Intake Response Center at Children's of Alabama. Q: How do you notice the signs of someone you know or love struggling with mental health? A: Sometimes it’s...
Do you ever get the feeling that someone you know and love is struggling with something, but you don’t want to pry before they are ready to talk about it, while equally scared to overlook the issue? I think many people can relate to that....
This testimonial is from the perspective of a foster mom and educator of children. She balances being a teacher and foster parent while maintaining strong relationships with all children under her care. In understanding the severity of the issues in the foster system, like case...