Things that make you go UMM………

 

Do you ever question how the modern mind is impacted by trends in society? Why do people behave and act a certain way?  Are you interested and curious about mental health topics?

The goal of Understand My Mind (UMM) is to keep the information simple.  Through podcast interviews, articles and resources, our goal is to help you understand how societal trends affect individuals’ perceptions, thoughts and behavior. The people interviewed are not all from a mental health background, but each interviewer highlights the key trends that affect our behavior.

How can we help you understand your mind?

 

What's new on UMM?

 

The Real Talk Series

The Real Talk Series explores topics that UMM listeners have expressed an interest in us covering. The goal of this series is to keep the podcasts short, reduce the psychological “jargon”, help explore taboo subjects and and empower the mind.  Check out our first podcast in the series "Women and Fertility."

 

 

 

What Does The Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

 

 

 

 

 

Article: A Dose Of Positive attitude Can Be Infectious And Good  For You!

 

 

 

 

 

Article: Adjusting To Life In The United States (click to read)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article: Tips on How to Deal With Traumatic Events From Afar (click to read tips)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article: School Lunch Eaten with a Morton's Fork

I have a big parenting decision to make: should I pack a lunchbox for my kiddo next fall or enroll her in the school lunch program? I had first started to think about it when Jamie Oliver made his quixotic stab at improving the menu for the lunch program in Huntington, WV schools for his TV series Food Revolution.  Click to read more

 

 

 

 

Podcast: Talking to you Children About Job Loss

This simple podcast will explore the effects on children when parents lose their jobs and ways families can explore this topic with their children.  Click to listen

 

 

 

 

 

Article: Going to Bat for Playground Time

Back in the 1970s, I spent part of every workday building cardiovascular fitness, honing negotiation skills, lifting my mood, exercising creativity and preparing my mind for new skills. I was at recess.  Click to read more

 

 

 

 

Article: Wish Me Luck

Ugh. It’s that time of year again. Halloween is over, and the splendor of the Pennsylvania October has lost its war of attrition against the autumn’s cold rain and high winds. This is the time of year when I start to struggle with my mood.  Click to read more

 

 

 

 

Article: UMM and Film Festivals

UMM is fascinated with film festivals.  In my free time, I volunteer at 3rd i, San Francisco International South Asian Film Festival. 3rd i is a non-profit, national organization committed to promoting diverse images of South Asians through independent film. I do not claim to be a film expert, nor do not watch many films, but I am a psychotherapist who loves watching the interactions between people during film festivals.  Click to read more

 

 

Article: Top 5 Reasons to Keep Buying Picture Books

A recent New York Times article about chapter books being pushed on younger kids really hit home with me. I had just done some major backpedaling on the whole “transition-to-chapter-books” idea, so reading this gave me the sinking feeling that a lot of well-meaning moms and dads are doing the same thing I had just done.  Click to read more 

 

 

 

Podcast: Breathe!  Giving Yourself Permission to Slow Down

Lately, do you come home feeling overwhelmed and stressed, missed your gym class, and feel like you made no time to relax and reflect on your day? In this simple, short podcast, Ulash gets personal with examples on ways to give yourself permission to slow down when you are feeling stressed out or overwhelmed with life.  Yes, it’s time to slow down and breathe!  Click to listen

 

 

October:  UMM and Breast Cancer Awareness

Understand My Mind will be covering October breast cancer awareness month.  UMM dedicates our love and support to the amazing women, their family and friends.  Our goal is to increase awareness and share resources on this topic. We would LOVE to hear your personal stories, outreach and fundraising efforts.  We encourage ALL brave women, their family and friends to share their stories to help increase awareness and hope. Please send your stories (and photos) to editor, ulashmindgmailcom  ulashmindgmailcom   .  

 

 

 

Breast Cancer Support Groups: A Conversation with Karen Cooper

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime according to the American Cancer Society’s 2010 statistics. Yet patients facing that diagnosis can feel isolated even among the friends and family who want to be supportive.  Click to read more

 

 

 

Article: Breast Cancer is Sneaky By Elaine Smith Dunlap

Breast Cancer is sneaky.  Unlike other diseases, there’s no sickness.  If I hadn’t seen a dimple in the mirror that caused me to feel for a lump, I would have never suspected I had a life-threatening disease.  My mammogram in April showed nothing.  Click to read more

 

 

 

The Avon Walk For Breast Cancer: Two Day Journey – The Story Continues By Mayra Cagigas. Click to read

 

 

 

 

 

Article: A Puppy and an Attitude Adjustment

A new puppy has joined our household, as we decided to make a dog a feature of our kid’s childhood. Our daughter is an only child, and we thought that having a dog might help her develop empathy for others (there is some evidence that this is the case in studies of kids with dogs) and provide companionship for her.  Click to read more

 

 

 

UMM and International Peace Day, click for more

 

 

 

Podcast on "I Give Because?….The Psychology of Giving": UMM is dedicating the month of September to giving, honoring people across the globe.  We THANK everyone, for supporting others.  This short podcast will cover the psychology behind giving.  Click to listen

 

 

 

The World Food Programme (WFP) and Pakistan Floods: UMM is dedicating September to philanthropy and giving back to the community.  This article will focus on the amazing work of The World Food Programme (WFP), helping the people of Pakistan affected by the recent floods. The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Click to read more.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rest of Us Pledge, Too: When Ulash first asked me to explore a theme of philanthropy for an August article, the Giving Pledge story of Fortune magazine was about a month old. Now, the proposed agreement among the super-rich to give away half or more of their wealth has been in the news for most of the summer.

 

Plenty of time has elapsed for opinions to circulate in the blogosphere and for the Fortune magazine website to be inundated with hundreds of comments on that single story. So, I wondered, how much of a difference could the Giving Pledge make?  Click to read more

 

 

 

Podcast with Dr. Okasha: Dr. Okasha will explore common myths and misconceptions about therapy specifically addressing common fears, strereotypes of therapy and therapists, and how potential clients can make informed decisions about finding a therapist.  Click to listen 

 

 

 

 

Podcast with Autistry Studios: Using Creative Approaches in Working with Youth and Adults within the Autism Spectrum, click to listen

 

 

 

 

 

 

UMM on http://www.davidpdiana.com/.  Thank you David, for listing UMM in The New "Not Most People" List.  David P. Diana provides readers with unique perspectives in mental health.  Check out his amazing work, David P. Diana!