mental health — Blog — Rachel Havekost

How Storytelling Saves Lives: Moving America's Soul on Suicide

For years I’ve felt the impact of shared stories in safe spaces and I fully believe that because I’ve been able to share my story and hear the stories of others, I’m still alive today. When I was invited to attend the screening of “Moving America’s Soul on Suicide,” I wanted to understand why storytelling could have such a profoundly positive impact on my mental health. How can hearing a complete stranger’s story of overcoming hardship--even if it’s a hardship I’ve never experienced--transform and illuminate my own suffering into hope and possibility?

Making Life a Living Scrapbook

Stories, RelationshipsRachel HavekostMarch 20, 2024travel, divorce, mental health, friendship, relationships, baliComment

35 Lessons From 35 Years

Today is my 35th birthday. And for the first time in a long time, I can truly say, I’m so glad I was born. I’m so glad to be alive. I’m glad that my attempts to leave didn’t work, and in honor of being 35—still alive—here are 35 lessons I’ve learned in life.

StoriesRachel HavekostDecember 29, 2023mental health, depression, trauma, healing, therapy, anxiety, dbt, self love, eating disorder, grief, relationships, friendhspComment

Signs of A Stressed Nervous System (And What to Do About It)

Digestion or gut issues, sleep disruption, insomnia, jaw clenching, anxiety or panic attacks, depression, low mood, irritability, anger, low sex drive, or brain fog may be signs your nervous system needs a reset. Join me for a free 31 day reset and let’s reset our nervous systems together in 2024.

Top 5 Mental Health Tips From 18 Years in Therapy

I Still Grieve, I Just Don't Shame Myself

Hopelessness. Depression. Grief. Mourning. Anxiety. Trepidation. These are the feelings that cloud my morning wake-state. The slippery space between sleeping and waking. A fog and heavy cloud of doubt and desperation that oozes my subconscious. And the not knowing if it is my real existence or just a dream.

Depression, Relationships, StoriesRachel HavekostNovember 2, 2020shame, grie, grief, depression, mental healthComment

Now is Not the Time to Quit Therapy

Some people spend their lives focusing on mental wellness. They meditate, journal, go to therapy, read self-help books, practice active listening, understand how to identify and process their emotions, and have a breadth of coping skills. In the face of a crisis, they are as prepared as they can be to handle the toughest mental challenge of their lives.

Raising Awareness for National Eating Disorder Week

In 2005, when I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with Anorexia. At that time there was so little discussion about eating disorders within our culture (outside of the occasional tabloid headline or celebrity weight loss scandal). For the most part, eating disorders were not spoken of, and support and recovery for those who needed it was kept quiet. As a result, my eating disorder and therapy was a secret for my entire high school career.