Chippewa Valley Overdose Prevention: Local Life-Saving Resources
In Western Wisconsin, the fight against the opioid crisis and drug-related overdoses remains a critical concern. As our community continues to address this challenge...
How Homelessness Has Impacted My Mental Health
The first impactful experience I had with homelessness was at 13. I wasn’t fully aware of how or why I was in this situation or what it truly meant, but I knew I didn’t feel like myself. Positive there was something wrong with me, I poured over a copy of the DSM-IV hoping to self-diagnose. If I could find the problem with me, I thought, I could fix it and be happy again.
Navigating Grief After a Fatal Overdose: Finding Support and Healing
Not all grief is the same, and the aftermath of an overdose is a deeply challenging and emotional time. This tragedy becomes a “before and after” moment in your life. The shock, pain, and sense of loss can be overwhelming…
ATR Short List - 6 BIPOC Mental Health Resources
We are wired to be socially connected, and as a result, our mental health hinges on it. Research indicates that prolonged loneliness can lead to serious psychological distress. For Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, these effects are magnified by the additional burden of navigating a society where they may face ongoing racial prejudices and microaggressions. This environment can lead…
JULY UPDATE: Thoughts Regarding the Eau Claire Day Resource Center
After I posted my opinion regarding the Day Resource Center on our blog last month, the Chief Executive Officer at Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Inc., Anna Cardarella, reached out and asked to meet with me. I agreed and we met for coffee at Phoenix Coffee a few weeks ago.
PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT: Chad Schoen
Chad is one of our newest additions to At The Roots. Always willing to help out and offer his unique perspective, he is a living example of one of our core values - “Show up, do the right thing.” A Neilsville native who enjoys…
Sober Summer: Navigating Social Events in Eau Claire without Alcohol
We live in a place that has only a short window to enjoy warm, summery weather, so summer means more chances for socializing. We also live in a place where culturally, socializing means alcohol. Alcohol seems to make an appearance everywhere from music festivals to baby showers and in all activities from painting to yoga…
Beat the Summertime Blues: Practical Tips to Connect with Nature
It’s hard to believe that we are deep into July, with the heat finally hitting maybe as hard as the summertime sadness that can feel like life's been a fast-moving dumpster fire…
Thoughts Regarding the Eau Claire Day Resource Center
But lately, questions from our team and community members regarding how I feel about the Day Resource Center have become more frequent. It keeps popping up in unexpected meetings, conversations, and seemingly unrelated spaces so I decided to listen to nudges and learn more about it.
This led me to attend the Day Resource Center Community Meeting on June 18th…
Prioritizing Self-Care: During Pride Month and Beyond
Prioritizing ourselves can sometimes feel like the biggest chore out there, with our own versions of overflowing plates and being metaphorically maxed out on our spoon distribution. In the constant grind of trying to make it through the day, it can be hard to remember that self-care is actually the least selfish act you can engage in…