New studies are showing the long-lasting and far-reaching effects of domestic violence on children. Researchers discovered children who simply witness abuse suffer the same effects as those who are actually abused. Observing violence carries the same risk of harm to a child’s mental health and learning as a child who is abused directly. Ronald Kessler, the lead researcher and professor at Harvard Medical School says these effects last well into adulthood. Among childhood adversities those involving family violence inflict the worst long-term effects.

New year, new you? Susan Shain in the New York Times writes about what science tells us about legitimately making and keeping New Year’s Resolutions. Most importantly, think about December 31, 2019 and what change would you have made that would make you the happiest; the change you’d be most grateful to have achieved. She shares seven science-based strategies to make that resolution stick.

Happy New Year! I pray 2019 is the year you’ve dreamed about for you and your family.

Dallas Morning News ran a short piece with simple tips for those hurting during the Holidays.  To those who are grieving or miss a loved one I am thinking of you and praying for you.  May you have the peace that passes understanding during this holiday season.  

Fall Newsletter “Forgiveness is Personal”

USA Today interviewed billionaire businessman Richard Branson. He was made to feel stupid and beaten regularly by his headmaster in his youth.  The reason was his dyslexia. He’s co-founded a charity “Made By Dyslexia” which hosted it’s first global summit. The list of people past and present with dyslexia is impressive!  Branson says dyslexia is not something that needs to be overcome but embraced.

Dallas Morning News writer Tyra Damm is both a teacher and a parent.  She interviews Dallas area parents and teachers about what they expect from each other.  Parents and teachers share three important things so that kids have their best year ever.

There is a profound article by ESPN senior writer Jackie MacMullan on the NBA’s path  of forming a comprehensive mental health program. The courage of athletes to step out and share their mental health problems has led the NBA to hire a psychologist as their first director of mental health and wellness.  It took an All-Star like Kevin Love to share and reveal his anxiety and depression to help get them there.  He thought he was dying in the midst of a panic attack during a game last season.  He has recently opened up on NBC’s Today Show and other players have also started to share their struggles. This is a tremendous step toward advancing public awareness and eliminating mental health stigma.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all the support, encouragement and funds to make our Overnight Walk a success!  After this Overnight Walk experience I have no doubt many lives will be saved and so many people given hope and resources who are affected by suicide.  It was a grueling 17 miles with Saturday being the hottest day of the year.  My daughter said I looked like I had already walked before we started!

Out of 1,541 participants I ranked 50th in individual fundraising. Our little 2 person team also ranked 52nd out of 338 total teams on Saturday.  We cannot thank you all enough for money donated and for those who came out to support us on Saturday!

My daughter, Reese and I are doing something incredible together! We’re participating in the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk – an extraordinary event where participants from all over the country join together to walk 16-18 miles over the course of one night.

We’re fundraising to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Proceeds will help those affected by suicide and mental health conditions by supporting research, advocacy, survivor resources, education, and awareness programs. AFSP has set a bold goal to reduce the suicide rate 20% by the year 2025, and we are proud to be part of that mission.

You can help us with a donation no matter how small (even $5 or $10) or share this with your friends and family. Thank you for your support in a cause we’re passionate about!  Together we can save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Blessings,
Koy & Reese

Blue Cross Blue Shield reports a 33% increase in major depression diagnoses from 2013 to 2016 while Cigna reports that overall loneliness scores in America are alarmingly high.  The news is worse for young people!  Millennials have experienced a 47% increase and teenagers a 63% increase in major depression.  While there are likely multiple factors a 2017 study indicates night time usage of cell phones in teens can increase depression and anxiety and reduce self-esteem.  Psychologists suspect disrupted sleep is a big factor behind these emotional problems.  All of us need electronic curfews and as parents we should model this.  Younger people ages 18-22 were also surprisingly more likely to experience social isolation than older people ages 72 and older.  Loneliness evidently has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes daily; more dangerous than obesity.