Cecelia White

By Cecelia White with Cumberland River Behavioral Health My grandmother recently passed away at the age of 101. I attended her funeral earlier this month and it got me thinking about life and death. There are two dates that are important to most people, their date of birth and their date of death. Between those dates there is a dash consisting of many years, hopefully. We spend a lot of time planning for the dates in between the beginning and the end of our lives. We celebrate birthdays, graduations, marriages, retirements, anniversaries and other events that are worthy of celebration. We plan funerals, choosing the words that will be spoken after...

By Cecelia White with Cumberland River Behavioral Health My grandmother recently passed away at the age of 101. I attended her funeral earlier this month and it got me thinking about life and death. There are two dates that are important to most people, their date of birth and their date of death. Between those dates there is a dash consisting of many years, hopefully. We spend a lot of time planning for the dates in between the beginning and the end of our lives. We celebrate birthdays, graduations, marriages, retirements, anniversaries and other events that are worthy of celebration. We plan funerals, choosing the words that will be spoken after...

Each Christmas season, the Director of the Targeted Case Management Team at Cumberland River Behavioral Health, Jennifer Beach, ensures that many children in the eight county service region have gifts for Christmas by organizing an Angel Tree Program. There are many others involved with this including those in our communities who donate gifts, employees who help with the organization of gifts, and those who make sure the gifts get to the children in need. This year, there were also seniors citizens who assisted with the wrapping of gifts. If you have ever seen Jennifer’s office at Christmas you have seen it exploding with gifts. Jennifer is not...

I have been a licensed therapist for over twenty-eight years. I have also gone to church since I was a young child, which is many years longer than I have been in my career. Both my career and my faith are important to me. In the last week, I have heard two different faith-based people dismiss the importance of having counseling from a licensed therapist as an option. When people feel overwhelmed, lonely, or desperate for answers, they often turn first to the person they trust most in their community: their pastor or other faith leader. For many people, their pastor has been there during life’s most painful moments....

September was Suicide Awareness Month, a time in which people talk openly about an issue that often stays hidden. As a therapist and supervisor of crisis mental health services, it is likely that I have at least one conversation a day about suicide and the prevention of it. However, this is not the norm. Many people are uncomfortable talking about it which is isolating for those who have thoughts of suicide. The fact remains, however, that it is way too common for people to have these thoughts. Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in Kentucky, with 800 Kentuckians dying by suicide each year. Additionally, suicide is now the second-leading cause...

September is quickly approaching, with schools back in session and fall in the air. September is also Recovery Month. Recovery Month actually starts a day earlier each year, with International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. The goal of both the Awareness Day and Recovery Month is to raise awareness of the number of people affected by overdoses, as well as substance use in general, and allows the communities to support those beginning their recovery journey, along with those who have years in recovery. Substance use is a major issue in Kentucky, as well as elsewhere. The rate of overdose deaths have decreased for the last three years, however,...

As July comes to an end, I would like to take a few moments to discuss the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This hotline was funded in July 2022 making it three years since its inception. The development of the 988 Lifeline was a milestone in mental health care nationwide, giving people an easy three digit number to call if they are having a rough day or night and just need someone to talk with. This third anniversary of the 988 Lifeline gives a great opportunity to reflect on its origins and its profound impact. Before 988, those in crisis often dialed 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a toll-free number established in...

In the last six months or so, I have been reminded that men’s mental health is just as important, and can be more difficult to recognize, as women’s by people who are close to me. One of these people spoke out on social media during November last year that he was seeking help for his mental health and was learning a lot about himself. Another of these people has been recently struggling with life changes and aging. These two people have been strong influences in my life and are seen as strong men, but everyone needs a little help now and then. From a young age, males are raised...

I think the recent tornado that caused mass destruction in our area this month is on everyone’s mind. Obviously, tornadoes are traumatic events to the people who lose everything, and also the people that see and hear about the destruction. Less than a week after the tornado, there were more severe storms and possible tornadoes predicted. At my work place, which had employees impacted by the tornado, you could feel the difference in tension that employees were feeling with the second round of storms and possible tornadoes. This is a normal feeling because of the suddenness of tornadoes and the severity of the destruction. Many organizations have reached out to provide...

It has been a busy month for my program, Cumberland River Victims Services, with it being Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I would like to do a special shout out to all of the businesses that allowed for their windows to be painted for the month. I would also like to do a special shoutout to the law enforcement agencies that allowed for magnets to be placed on their vehicles to recognize both of these months. Finally, thanks to all who visited with us at Colonel Fest on Saturday. We are always happy to see the public, tell them what we do, and get...