What does your mind conjure up when you see the words 'mental health'? Yes, the phrase does reek with all sorts of connotations doesn't it!When you think of the phrase Mental Health..... is it about People who are strange or not normal. Mental illness is a stigma or label to be avoided or kept quiet about Referring to issues of incapacity of the mind and behaviour A term that is a label to describe insanity, madness, weird people Pathologies like depression, schizophrenia. Or even the Mental Health department in your State's Health Department? The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."Not the first thing that comes into many people's minds with .. more >>

Having a child diagnosed on the Autism spectrum is difficult and heart breaking for parents. There are so many unknowns with which to contend. How functional will the child be as an adult? How severe is their specific diagnosis? As a spectrum of developmental disorders, diagnoses can range from classic autism to high functioning autism, from Asperger's syndrome to Pervasive Developmental Delay. Each has different challenges and potential outcomes in terms of a child's development and later independence. Once the initial shock of the diagnosis wears off, however, there are additional challenges in terms of paying for treatments and therapies.For a young family without healthcare insurance, an autism diagnosis can be even more difficult to face. Treatment for autism includes occupational therapy, play/socialization therapy, behavior modification therapies, visits to developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and even psychiatrists when needed. Children on the spectrum may need a variety of medications at different .. more >>