The transition back to school brings with it many emotions – from excitement to anxiety and everything in between. For some students, the excitement of seeing friends and starting a new school year is overshadowed by big feelings of worry or fear, leading to school refusal. If you’ve ever dealt with school refusal in your home or family, then you know it's a challenging experience for both parents and students alike. When kids refuse to attend school, it can be frustrating and stressful - and it's important to remember that they are not being difficult on purpose. They are struggling with something deeper that needs understanding, support, and appropriate intervention. 

Knowing the right steps and options available often feels overwhelming. Let’s dive into the ins and outs of school refusal, explore the levels of care available for mental health support and identify a few strategies for helping your child navigate school refusal. 

Defining School Refusal 

School refusal can be unfam...

Ever wondered what sets professionals apart in today's fast-paced corporate world? For one: it’s their mindset. The concept of a "growth mindset," introduced by psychologist Carol Dweck, is more than just another buzzword—it's a game-changer for individuals and organizations alike. A growth mindset is all about believing that your abilities and intelligence can expand through hard work and dedication. Counter to a fixed mindset, where talents are seen as static and unchangeable. Embracing a growth mindset not only accelerates your professional growth but also acts as a powerful remedy for burnout. Let's explore why embracing this mindset is so important and how to build it in your own life. 

Sailing Through Challenges 

Picture the workplace as a dynamic and ever-changing ocean. In this ocean, a growth mindset is like a sturdy, adaptable ship that can navigate through any waters, whether they are calm or stormy. Just as a well-built ship with a skilled crew can weather any storm and e...

When you think of the stereotypical male character in movies, books and TV shows, it’s likely that characteristics such as independence, competitiveness, assertiveness, bravery or physical strength come to mind. Picture James Bond, the infamous spy known for his confidence, charm, and ability to handle any situation with cool composure. Or Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation," the ‘man's man’ who values self-reliance above all else. Or Superman, a symbol of strength and heroism, always ready to swoop in and save the day.  

While these are important qualities, our society’s tendency to place value on only qualities like these has created a culture where many men feel the need to hide their emotions and their overall mental health experience. In June, we recognize Men’s Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to challenging this narrative and raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by men that are often hidden in silence and shame. Let’s talk more about this topic an...

 As May unfolds and the world awakens to the warmth of spring, we also welcome Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is a time to illuminate the importance of joining together to break down the barriers that cover mental health in stigma and silence.  

Mental health affects us all, regardless of age, gender, or background – and while we’ve seen significant progress, there remains secrecy and shame around the subject. This stigma not only prevents individuals from seeking help when they need it but also prevents open dialogue about mental health challenges. As we continue through this Mental Health Awareness Month, let's explore why destigmatizing mental health is so crucial and how each of us can play a part in increasing understanding and compassion within our own circles. 

The Truth About Stigma 

Did you know that stigma remains one of the biggest barriers preventing individuals from seeking help for their mental health? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approx...

Spring is here, and with it comes longer days, more sun and an opportunity to come out of winter hibernation and reconnect. On the heels of a 2023 Surgeon General Advisory on the epidemic of isolation and loneliness, this idea of connection has become more and more of a hot topic. In today's fast-paced world, where screens often dominate our interactions and busy schedules can leave us feeling isolated, prioritizing meaningful connections is more vital than ever.  

In alignment with this push for connection, MTV Entertainment’s 4th annual Mental Health Action Day is centering around just that – empowering people to spend 1 hour connecting with family, friends and community. Simply Bee is proud to be a part of this movement with our family-friendly community walk coming up on May 16th - we invite you to join us! 

As we gear up for this event, let’s take a moment to dive a bit deeper into the theme of connection - focusing on its significant impact on mental health and a new strategy f...

In recent years, we’ve seen world class athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Dak Prescott open up about their mental health, sharing the realities of anxiety, depression and burnout that many athletes face. These messages are powerful reminders that being an athlete extends far beyond physical abilities and that the mental side of the game deserves just as much attention.  

For athletes at any level, mental skills and training are a key piece of the puzzle – helping them build a sense of confidence and resilience that they can lean on in competition, and more importantly, in all other areas of their lives as well.

A Personal Journey 

As something Simply Bee CEO Audrey Grunst, LCSW has personal experience with, athlete mental health has been a focus of our work here since the beginning. Her story is one that, unfortunately, many athletes can resonate with.  

Growing up as a competitive volleyball player in a small town, Audrey dedicated a big amount of her time to her sport –...

From a young age, we are filled with ideas about what we ‘should’ look like, what we ‘should’ wear and what we ‘should’ do to achieve these standards. Living in this world of shoulds can quickly make us think and feel pretty negatively about our bodies. For people of all ages, and young people especially, this kind of negative body image can profoundly impact confidence and self-worth. 

The good news? We have the power to rewrite this story, not only for ourselves, but for the young ones in our lives, too! Shifting the narrative starts with building awareness of how societal messages deeply shape body image. With this awareness, we can learn strategies for how to foster positive body image in ourselves, and in turn, empower younger generations to do the same. Let’s dive in! 

Comparison Culture & Its Impact 

We hear all the time that society is filled with unrealistic messages – but have you ever taken the time to consciously be aware of just how often you encounter them?  

Spend a ...

As the calendar turns, many of us find ourselves working towards freshly set resolutions, feeling motivated by the #newyearnewme spirit. We set these resolutions hoping to improve an aspect of our well-being, such as our physical health. However, the problem that many of us run into is that we focus our resolutions on only this one piece of wellness. These types of singular resolutions often do not have the transformative effect we hope they will, and come February, our motivation starts to drop. 

What’s crucial to recognize is that well-being is multifaceted and encompasses many elements – each of which has a big impact on how we live. Achieving true and lasting wellness means taking intentional care of the mind, body, spirit and heart from a holistic perspective. Let's look at each of these pieces, building understanding of how they interact and some simple practices that can help you feel fulfilled and balanced all year long! 

The Wheel Of Wellness  

Picture a car in your mind (s...

‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la... 

For some, the holiday season is just that: a time of joy and celebration. For many others, though, it can also bring a wave of stress, sadness, and anxiety. Whether it's the pressure to create the perfect celebration, cope with loneliness and loss, or navigate complicated family dynamics, the holiday blues are a real and challenging experience.  

If you’re someone who feels the weight of the holidays each year, know that you are not alone and that ALL the emotions of the season are valid – both positive and negative.  

Let’s take a look at some common triggers of holiday-related stress and sadness, and more importantly, talk about some practical tips and coping strategies for navigating this time with self-compassion and a focus on well-being.  

What’s Weighing On You? 

Each person has a unique experience with this time of year, but there are some common triggers that are often the culprit for holiday blues. As you read t...

As the last of the Halloween candy gets eaten and the spooky decorations make their way back into the closet, we start to look ahead towards the holidays. As we head into a season of thanksgiving, we hear ‘gratitude’ come up often. While this topic feels intrinsically important to us, it can also start to feel like an overused and nebulous idea. It sounds great in theory but can start to feel pointless when we don't feel connected to its true power. 

What's fascinating (and potentially surprising!) to learn is that gratitude is not just a feel-good sentiment; it's a scientifically proven way to rewire your brain and boost your mental well-being. With this in mind, let's explore gratitude through a whole new lens and discover its true purpose this season and beyond. 

The Science Behind Gratitude 

Gratitude is a simple, yet profound, practice that extends far beyond just saying "thank you." It’s a mindset. It’s a unique way of approaching the world with a real appreciation for the goo...