U.S.-Canada Border Separates Couple During Pandemic

Longtime couple Mert LaBounty and Tammy Yonkers never met an obstacle as large as the pandemic-related U.S.-Canada border closure. Since March 20 of last year, the couple have had to rely on technology to communicate. This reached a breaking point for LaBounty, which he recounted. “I got into this wicked depression where all I couldContinue reading “U.S.-Canada Border Separates Couple During Pandemic”

New Jersey Teen Inspires Mental Health Movement

When Jersey City teenager Hunter Reinholt died tragically at 15 after an accidental overdose in 2019, his mom Tracy decided to take action. She gathered his group of friends to figure out how to honor his legacy. “Everyone was focused on how he lived,” she said. “We decided to start something that focused on that,Continue reading “New Jersey Teen Inspires Mental Health Movement”

Spotlight On: Saiwa Healing Arts

It was her own anxiety that led Lauren Haimelin Carter to embark on a career healing others. As a student at the State University of New York in New Paltz, being an overachiever had its limits. When she came back from studying abroad in Spain in 2002, a doctor diagnosed the now-41-year-old with anxiety. “IContinue reading “Spotlight On: Saiwa Healing Arts”

Spotlight On: Hudson Valley’s Dr. Denise Morett

As people begin to embrace a post COVID normal, Hudson Valley psychologist Dr. Denise Morett gives her take on having a balanced mind. Dr. Morett practices bioenergetic medicine, which emphasizes how one’s mental state impacts energy. “Everything is energy and affects energy,” she said via email. “Not just having ‘energy’ to take actions, but whereContinue reading “Spotlight On: Hudson Valley’s Dr. Denise Morett”

On the Frontlines: Nuvance Health’s Dr. Paul Wright

By: Mallika Rao While the COVID-19 virus began to ravage Nuvance Health’s New York and Connecticut facilities, another mysterious medical issue arrived not too long after. As the senior vice president and system head of the Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Paul Wright quickly noticed how patients fully recovered from COVID-19 reported other physical and mental healthContinue reading “On the Frontlines: Nuvance Health’s Dr. Paul Wright”

Retired Teacher Shares Agoraphobia Story

For Mental Health Awareness Month, locals are sharing their personal mental health stories Growing up in Queens, New York, Mark Dema dreamed of traveling abroad, but a fear of going away from home consumed him. In his 30s, he realized that fear had a name: agoraphobia. As a teacher in the Hudson Valley, he wouldContinue reading “Retired Teacher Shares Agoraphobia Story”

Assemblyman Gottfried Discusses New York Health Act

Since 1991, New York State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (NY-75) has fought for single-payer healthcare in the state. This year, he may get his chance. In the wake of the pandemic, the New York Health Act–which Gottfried has co-sponsored with Assemblyman Gustavo Rivera– is gaining momentum in Albany. Assemblyman Gottfried credits this mainly to the supermajorityContinue reading “Assemblyman Gottfried Discusses New York Health Act”

Poughkeepsie Life Coach brings optimistic realism to practice

Personal trainer Erica Jones Woolley turned a back injury in 2019 into the opportunity to coach others in a new way. “Right before the world changed, my world began to change,” she said, referring to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a person who moves for a living, I realized there was the possibilityContinue reading “Poughkeepsie Life Coach brings optimistic realism to practice”

The Trauma of Racism: Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa

This article is part of a series called “The Trauma of Racism,” where we highlight the effects racism can have on minority populations. When Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa first heard the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, he had a mix of emotions. “I had a little relief, sadness,” he said. “The whole thingContinue reading “The Trauma of Racism: Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa”

Spotlight on: Family Services

Like many mental health providers during the pandemic, the Hudson Valley’s Family Services has converted to providing therapy sessions mostly through Telehealth. Vice President for Behavioral Health Robin Peritz explains that this transition has generally benefitted their clients, who are able to have more flexibility in setting up their sessions. “We have had very positiveContinue reading “Spotlight on: Family Services”