self-care Archives - NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties

NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties Featured by Seniors’ Council of Douglas County for Mental Health Awareness

Jason Hopcus, CLC, MSLC April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 mental health care, self-care

We’re proud to share that NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties (NAMI ADCO) was recently highlighted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) in their May newsletter, recognizing the importance of mental health across all ages—especially during the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month. In the feature, SCDC reminded readers that one in four people face mental health challenges annually, and emphasized the importance of community-based support. Jason Hopcus, President and CEO of NAMI ADCO, shared: “Life is full of ups and downs so having the right mental health support can make all the difference. At NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties, we’re here to helpRead More

Refresh and Recharge Kids with Fun and Mindful Activities

Jason Hopcus, CLC, MSLC October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 gratitude, happiness, Healthy Practices, healthy students, kindness, mental health, mental health care, NAMI Blog, self-care, Teens, wellness

In today’s fast-paced world, children often face a myriad of activities and expectations that can lead to stress and fatigue. To help them refresh and recharge, integrating fun and mindful activities into their routine is crucial. Here are some suggestions from NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties for activities that not only provide relaxation but also promote emotional and physical well-being, enhancing their overall development. Establishing a Relaxing Bedtime Routine Creating a consistent bedtime routine is crucial for enhancing children’s sleep quality. By signaling the brain that it’s time to wind down, activities such as reading, listening to calming music, or gentle stretchesRead More

The Courage to Face Addiction

Jason Hopcus, CLC, MSLC August 8, 2019August 30, 2019 addiction, colorado, connection, counseling, exercise, gratitude, happiness, health, Healthy Practices, healthy students, high school, life pressures, meditation, mental health, mental health care, pressure, psychology, recovery, Scholarship, self-care, sociology, stigma, Students, substance abuse, substance use, support group, Teens, well-being, wellness, whole health

Addiction is a struggle that many face. To do so, takes an immense amount of sacrifice, and willingness to beat. A task that is not easily done. The first step requires one to acknowledge their addiction. This can be the hardest step, as it has become part of the addict’s life, habits, and takes priority over most things in life. The mindset of an addict is counter-intuitive to a non-addict. The struggle of someone who wants to fix their problem but is not able to because of their internal conflict can be a relentless back and forth cycle of attemptsRead More

Practicing Self-Care After a Traumatic Injury

Jason Hopcus, CLC, MSLC June 1, 2019August 13, 2020 aging, Anxiety, colorado, community, connection, counseling, depression, douglas county, education, exercise, gratitude, happiness, Healthy Practices, help, kindness, meditation, mental health, mental health care, NAMI Blog, nursing, psychology, recovery, self-care, sleep, well-being, wellness, whole health

Recently, I was walking my daughter’s adorable dog Raleigh when I saw two other cute dogs with their owner approaching on the path. All three dogs barked excitedly and jumped joyfully. Raleigh accidentally bumped my legs and I fell down hard on the pavement. Instantly, I knew I was seriously injured. The man with the two dogs quickly called 911, paramedics came, and later that night I had surgery to repair my crushed right femur. After a couple days in the hospital, I went to a rehab/nursing center for three weeks until I could safely handle myself at home. Self-careRead More