November 19, 2024 • 16 mins
On the next episode of Keeping Ashland Health, Dr. Ashley and the Boss get ready for the Holidays. For many, the Holidays can feel overwhelming or filled with anxiety and sadness. Dr. Ashley and the Boss discuss the importance of gratitude and provide some practical things you can do to help yourself or someone you care about who may be struggling this holiday season. Dr. Ashley’s grandma Na Na, provides timeless wisdom to close out the show. Additional information about this issue and available supports can be found at: www.ashlandmhrb.org
(Record Date: November 14, 2024)
(Record Date: November 14, 2024)
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome. You're listening to the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast, a
podcast production of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of
Ashland County, Ohio. Thanks for joining us, and welcome back
to another episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy and today Doctor Ashley.
It's a Doctor Ashley and the Boss episode. How are
you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I'm doing great?
Speaker 1 (00:23):
How are you I'm doing well. We were sitting around
talking as we do as counselors, and we noticed that
the holidays are coming up quick. They are, indeed, so
you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, all those big holidays,
and there's some other ones in there, but those are
kind of the big ones. We thought, you know, we
(00:47):
need to take advantage of this opportunity of the holidays
coming up to talk a little bit about, you know,
balancing grief gratitude. Not everybody gets through the holidays or
sees the holidays maybe the way because of maybe prior
events histories. Not everybody attaches positive memories to all those holidays.
(01:08):
So for the folks that maybe, but even if it's
not that, even if it's just overwhelming, right, So we
wanted to talk a little bit about maybe how to
navigate through the holiday season a little bit better.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yeah, I'm really excited to talk to you about this
one for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
First up is Thanksgiving, and that one is still one
of my favorite holidays because maybe it hasn't been so
corporatized as some of the other ones, and it's truly
about giving thanks And why in your opinion, Doctor Ashley,
is giving thanks such an important concept?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, I think gratitude is important for a lot of reasons,
and Thanksgiving is just kind of a natural part of
the year to focus on that and reflect on the
things in your life that are good and positive. And
sometimes we get wrapped up in the stress of life
negative things, so it's good to take a step back
and reflect and think about those positive things, and it
(02:07):
really helps shift your mindset to the good. Like even
it doesn't make it doesn't make the bad things go away, Right,
there's always going to be difficult.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
We're not advocating for denial on the keeping action healthy.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Don't repress your negative emotions, like that's not what we're
going for, But being grateful can kind of help shift
your mindset to thinking about the good.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah. I like that. You know, this idea of resilience
and optimism, health and strengthening relationships. These are all potential
I think benefits, right, an attitude of gratitude if you.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Will absolutely well. One of the things we talk a
lot about here is that your mental and emotional health
affect your physical health, right, and so if you're taking
good care of yourself emotionally, that can benefit your physical
health too. The same goes for gratitude, right, And that's
one of the proven benefits of being grateful and focusing
(03:07):
on gratitude.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, I like that. So, so as we're thinking about,
you know, Thanksgiving, but all throughout the season, this attitude
of gratitude. We also know that for some folks they
have a difficult time when they think about the holidays,
even now as they look forward to it, you know,
that's not necessarily met with a good feeling, a good anticipation,
(03:31):
but maybe some trepidation. So maybe let's talk through a
few things that maybe that we can talk through that
might make this a little bit easier for folks that
maybe for them, that's that's what's true.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Yeah, I think that's a good point. So, like, if
you're going through a difficult time and everyone else is
just jolly and listening to Christmas music and happy and
it can be hard to see that and go through
that when you're struggling, you're just not matching that. Yeah,
that can be difficult. So one of the things talk
about is if you've lost a loved one, that can
(04:02):
be especially difficult during the holiday season. And we want
to say that it's important to make room for your grief.
So instead of pushing away feelings of grief or trying
to get rid of that in some way, which is
not possible or healthy, expect to experience that. So it's
going to be hard at some point during the holiday.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I like that. So making room for your grief again,
as we said earlier, it's not to deny it, put
it away, or stuff it, but trying to find a
way to acknowledge it and make room for it. I
like that.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
And thinking about it now when it's a little bit
ahead of the holiday season, like this is maybe going
to be a hard time. How can I kind of
prepare for that and what can I do? And also
it's important to remember that grief is actually proof of
your love, your lasting love for that person. Right, it's
the love for someone that you've lost. But I think
(04:54):
that's a good thing, right, We don't want that to
end just because they're gone.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
So yeah, trying to hold some of these these concepts
together even though they're mixed. Right, So as you say,
you know, you know, I've lost some folks close to
me around the holidays, so right, you don't want to
lose that love. You miss the person you're not going
to be able to celebrate maybe the holidays with that person,
(05:18):
but you also remember all the times that you did
and how positive and great that was, so balancing the
loss but also with the positive memories.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Definitely. Yeah, that's one of the things I wanted to say.
You can honor your loved ones through the holiday traditions
that you continue on. So maybe if they had a
favorite holiday pie or a favorite Christmas song or tradition
that they really liked, you can carry that on and
include them still ongoing.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I like that, Doctor Ashley. In my family dysfunctional though,
it is one of the things we like to do is, yeah,
recount past stories of holidays gone by, Right, whether that's
over the meal or opening a presence. We love to
tell stories, usually embarrassing, horribly embarrassing stories about each other.
And we started to incorporate that for those that we've
(06:08):
lost too. At first it felt a little awkward, but
I think at least for our family, we've come to
actually look forward to the stories about those we've lost too,
so it's in some way they're still with us, if
that makes it exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, that's my thoughts that you're honoring their memory, but
also you're including them. They're still a part of your traditions. Yeah,
and that's important.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Yeah, good. I hope that's helpful for folks. What else
do you have here on things that maybe that could
be helpful folks that are struggling through this period.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
I think it's important to lean on your loved ones, Okay,
your support system. Okay, let your family and friends know
ahead of time, maybe that you're struggling. You may be
having a hard time, and you may need some support
during the holiday.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
I think that's good, and that could be by giving
them heads up. That could be as simple as you know,
maybe I might have to get up from the table,
or yeah, maybe I'm going to need a break and
go out on the patio or something. You know, when
things just sometimes it's hard to predict, right when our
emotions get stirred up, right, it could be a Look,
it could be a phrase, it could be just a remembrance,
(07:10):
something triggers something. So maybe letting other family members know
in advance. And if they know in advance, right, they're
not taken by surprise, and as you say, they can
maybe be there for you.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, they can support you through that. Absolutely that. I
like this thinking about it ahead idea. Yeah. So then
the other thing is how might you be able to
help someone who is struggling during the holiday. So you
know someone and they seem like they're struggling or they've
been going through some grief, how might you help them? Okay,
so one of the things you can do is check
(07:43):
in on them. Yeah, I feel like that's such a
small thing. You can text them, give them a call,
stop by and see them.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
I still do birthday cards like old school, let's mail
some Christmas cards.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I think folks can do that. These things you
can get like a fifty they're not that you know, expensive,
but if they're if you have some of those and
you you know the address of the person, and right,
that's as simple. It seems to me, like you said, texting, calling,
stopping by, but send them a card.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Yeah, I mean when you receive a card, think about
how that feels. It feels like that person really thought
about you. They took the steps to actually send you
this card with some thoughtful thing in it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
You know, Well, that's interesting because I don't receive nearly
as many cards as I send out, so I know,
I feel I feel horrible. Oh, I feel terrible because
nobody's sending to me any cards. But you know what,
doctor Ashley, Yeah, I keep sending the cards even if
I don't get one back.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I love that. Yeah, good, because sending.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Of the card is not dependent on receiving the card back.
I mean, I might judge them internally, doctor Ashley, but
I still appreciate the cards that I do get.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
I think it's great. Cards are like old school, Yes
they are, but I love that they're meaningful, and I
don't know, I love that part of Christmas.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
What else can we do?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Somebody struggling offer to make food. Oh so, people who
are grieving often struggle to take care of themselves the
basic needs. You know. I like that maybe invite them
over for dinner. That can help them have some social interaction,
but also it serves the needs. They don't have to
cook dinner for themselves at night. Sure, you know, well
I like that too because.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
I know it sounds again maybe a little old fashioned,
but there is something about having a meal together. You know.
One of the things we've stressed on other podcasts is
our concern for seniors, but this goes for any any
age group that is alone at the holidays or alone.
Generally speaking, we know connection is king. So folks that
(09:44):
are connected to other people are usually both mentally and
emotionally and physically healthier. So anything that encourages connection, and
this idea of offering to make food and have somebody
over or have food in their home if that's where
they feel most comfortable, I like that.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah. And when you think about it, grief is the
loss of a very important connection, right, So I think
helping by offering connection and reaching out. But it could
be difficult for that person to reach out to you
and ask for connection. It might be easier to say, hey, like, yeah,
I'll come over for dinner, you know, or to accept
that connection from someone.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right maybe ask them, you know, what's their favorite dish
or if you don't know, or maybe you know, what
what can I bring over? That's one of the things
I've learned is to ask, you know, what do you like?
Don't assume you know that's that's true. You want to
bring over a dish and the person says, oh, right,
that's the or trigger them right, it's like, so that's
(10:41):
what my aunt Mabel may before she passed, right, that
would be a bad, bad thing to do if you don't.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Oh yeah, that's that's a good point.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
So always ask offer, But then ask you know, what
would be something that I could make for you that
you know you'd like that you like.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Yeah, I love that. Another one offer to help with
everyday tasks again, because those things can be really difficult.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So you know, we just recently had in the Ashton
County community that United Way Dave Caring, where you know,
we have different teams of individuals and organizations that go
out and they do this. They offer to help with
everyday task. But you know that's on a county wide basis.
We do that. I think what we're talking about here
is just on an individual basis. We need to be
(11:22):
trying to do this and it can be what what
are some of the tasks?
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Maybe you offer to get their groceries for them. Okay,
maybe that's overwhelming and they can't do it. Help with
their laundry, run some errands, whatever. It is just little
things that take something off of their plate. I think
that makes a huge difference.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
You know, with my laundry, doctor Ashley, it's it's whites
and reds. Everything just goes right in.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, you know, I wondered why you had pink sock.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Yes, luckily this is this is an audio podcast, not
a video luckily. Yeah, so I'm going to work on that.
Somebody says you got to keep them separated.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Like the song, but we need a clip, and I
think this one might be the most important. Yeah. Listening
goes a long way, Yes, it does. Right, Spend some
time actually listen to what's going on with the person,
give them some space to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
I like that. That's also connecting with them, right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Yeah. And when we do our question persuade refer our
suicide prevention training in the community, we often use the
tagline listening as a power tool. And what we mean
by that is just what you said, doctor Ashley. You know,
folks don't feel heard. It requires somebody to genuinely listen
with their full attention. Give them your full attention. And
(12:35):
I think we've forgotten to some extent the power of
listening and how it helps with connection and being heard
and all that goes with that. So I like that
listening goes a long way.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Yeah, And in the hustle and bustle of the holidays,
it takes a little more intentionality to sit and talk
with someone and listen, but I think that can make
a huge difference for someone who's having a hard time.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, well, this is right. I mean we've talked a
little bit about the holidays in Gratitude, specifically for Thanksgiving,
but all the holidays. We've also talked a little bit
about those that might be struggling for a variety of
different reasons, loss or otherwise, and maybe some tips that
might help them get through this holiday season more successfully.
(13:20):
But we know, you know, this is only a short podcast.
We know there are additional resources that we can offer
and provide to the community, so we want to talk
through a few of those.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, So you can always go to the MHRB website
Nashland MHRB dot org dot org, and we have lots
of resources on there and information. Yep, we're also going
to be sharing information about grief and the holidays and
self care for the holidays on our Facebook.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Page yep, our social networks yep.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
If we have Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn all three of
those yep. And then also you can always call if
you need some support to the crisis hotline yep.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
That is for one nine two eight, one three, one
three nine, And folks will hear that in the outro.
But in addition to calling, I will say that we
like to have a winter newsletter that'll be coming out
and I've seen an early draft of that, Doctor Ashley,
and I think you and Sandy here at the office
have put together a really good addition. So it'll have
(14:20):
some of the information we just spoke about, but I
think it'll have a lot more. It's very comprehensive. But again,
as you said, the website U and if things really
get rough, you're concerned about yourself or somebody else, call
our helpline, our hotline, because it does both. It helps
folks that just need somebody to talk to, maybe they
need direction, maybe they need resources here in the community.
(14:42):
And the reason I'm so positive about our local line
is it's local and the folks that are answering the
phone at Appleseed know the Ashton County community, they know
the resources, they know really how to direct folks. They've
been doing it for twenty plus years. So four one
nine two one three one three nine that's the Appleseed.
(15:03):
Actually that's their main number, but the crisis number is
the four one nine two eight nine six one one one.
But again that'll be in the the outro.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
I love that. And one thing I just wanted to
say before we wrap up. Something my grandma always said
to Actually what it says, Nana as the best, but
she always said to me, take good care of yourself,
but take good care of each other too.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
I like that. Well, from Nana to all our listeners.
Listen to Nana and we appreciate you all listening to
the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast with Doctor Ashley and the Boss.
Doctor I said, let me be one of the first
to wish you a happy holiday season.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Well, thank you and same to you.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Thank you, thank you for listening to another episode of
the Keeping Ashline Healthy podcast. The podcast is a production
of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County, Ohio.
You can reach the board by calling four one nine
two eight one three one three nine Please remind remember
that the Board funds a local twenty four to seven
crisis line through Applese Community Mental Health Center. It can
(16:05):
be reached by calling four one nine two eight nine
sixty one one one. That's four one nine two eight
nine sixty one one one. Until next time, Please join
us in keeping Ashland healthy.
Welcome. You're listening to the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast, a
podcast production of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of
Ashland County, Ohio. Thanks for joining us, and welcome back
to another episode of Keeping Ashland Healthy and today Doctor Ashley.
It's a Doctor Ashley and the Boss episode. How are
you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I'm doing great?
Speaker 1 (00:23):
How are you I'm doing well. We were sitting around
talking as we do as counselors, and we noticed that
the holidays are coming up quick. They are, indeed, so
you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, all those big holidays,
and there's some other ones in there, but those are
kind of the big ones. We thought, you know, we
(00:47):
need to take advantage of this opportunity of the holidays
coming up to talk a little bit about, you know,
balancing grief gratitude. Not everybody gets through the holidays or
sees the holidays maybe the way because of maybe prior
events histories. Not everybody attaches positive memories to all those holidays.
(01:08):
So for the folks that maybe, but even if it's
not that, even if it's just overwhelming, right, So we
wanted to talk a little bit about maybe how to
navigate through the holiday season a little bit better.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yeah, I'm really excited to talk to you about this
one for sure.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
First up is Thanksgiving, and that one is still one
of my favorite holidays because maybe it hasn't been so
corporatized as some of the other ones, and it's truly
about giving thanks And why in your opinion, Doctor Ashley,
is giving thanks such an important concept?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, I think gratitude is important for a lot of reasons,
and Thanksgiving is just kind of a natural part of
the year to focus on that and reflect on the
things in your life that are good and positive. And
sometimes we get wrapped up in the stress of life
negative things, so it's good to take a step back
and reflect and think about those positive things, and it
(02:07):
really helps shift your mindset to the good. Like even
it doesn't make it doesn't make the bad things go away, Right,
there's always going to be difficult.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
We're not advocating for denial on the keeping action healthy.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Don't repress your negative emotions, like that's not what we're
going for, But being grateful can kind of help shift
your mindset to thinking about the good.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah. I like that. You know, this idea of resilience
and optimism, health and strengthening relationships. These are all potential
I think benefits, right, an attitude of gratitude if you.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Will absolutely well. One of the things we talk a
lot about here is that your mental and emotional health
affect your physical health, right, and so if you're taking
good care of yourself emotionally, that can benefit your physical
health too. The same goes for gratitude, right, And that's
one of the proven benefits of being grateful and focusing
(03:07):
on gratitude.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, I like that. So, so as we're thinking about,
you know, Thanksgiving, but all throughout the season, this attitude
of gratitude. We also know that for some folks they
have a difficult time when they think about the holidays,
even now as they look forward to it, you know,
that's not necessarily met with a good feeling, a good anticipation,
(03:31):
but maybe some trepidation. So maybe let's talk through a
few things that maybe that we can talk through that
might make this a little bit easier for folks that
maybe for them, that's that's what's true.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Yeah, I think that's a good point. So, like, if
you're going through a difficult time and everyone else is
just jolly and listening to Christmas music and happy and
it can be hard to see that and go through
that when you're struggling, you're just not matching that. Yeah,
that can be difficult. So one of the things talk
about is if you've lost a loved one, that can
(04:02):
be especially difficult during the holiday season. And we want
to say that it's important to make room for your grief.
So instead of pushing away feelings of grief or trying
to get rid of that in some way, which is
not possible or healthy, expect to experience that. So it's
going to be hard at some point during the holiday.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
I like that. So making room for your grief again,
as we said earlier, it's not to deny it, put
it away, or stuff it, but trying to find a
way to acknowledge it and make room for it. I
like that.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
And thinking about it now when it's a little bit
ahead of the holiday season, like this is maybe going
to be a hard time. How can I kind of
prepare for that and what can I do? And also
it's important to remember that grief is actually proof of
your love, your lasting love for that person. Right, it's
the love for someone that you've lost. But I think
(04:54):
that's a good thing, right, We don't want that to
end just because they're gone.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
So yeah, trying to hold some of these these concepts
together even though they're mixed. Right, So as you say,
you know, you know, I've lost some folks close to
me around the holidays, so right, you don't want to
lose that love. You miss the person you're not going
to be able to celebrate maybe the holidays with that person,
(05:18):
but you also remember all the times that you did
and how positive and great that was, so balancing the
loss but also with the positive memories.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Definitely. Yeah, that's one of the things I wanted to say.
You can honor your loved ones through the holiday traditions
that you continue on. So maybe if they had a
favorite holiday pie or a favorite Christmas song or tradition
that they really liked, you can carry that on and
include them still ongoing.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I like that, Doctor Ashley. In my family dysfunctional though,
it is one of the things we like to do is, yeah,
recount past stories of holidays gone by, Right, whether that's
over the meal or opening a presence. We love to
tell stories, usually embarrassing, horribly embarrassing stories about each other.
And we started to incorporate that for those that we've
(06:08):
lost too. At first it felt a little awkward, but
I think at least for our family, we've come to
actually look forward to the stories about those we've lost too,
so it's in some way they're still with us, if
that makes it exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, that's my thoughts that you're honoring their memory, but
also you're including them. They're still a part of your traditions. Yeah,
and that's important.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Yeah, good. I hope that's helpful for folks. What else
do you have here on things that maybe that could
be helpful folks that are struggling through this period.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
I think it's important to lean on your loved ones, Okay,
your support system. Okay, let your family and friends know
ahead of time, maybe that you're struggling. You may be
having a hard time, and you may need some support
during the holiday.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
I think that's good, and that could be by giving
them heads up. That could be as simple as you know,
maybe I might have to get up from the table,
or yeah, maybe I'm going to need a break and
go out on the patio or something. You know, when
things just sometimes it's hard to predict, right when our
emotions get stirred up, right, it could be a Look,
it could be a phrase, it could be just a remembrance,
(07:10):
something triggers something. So maybe letting other family members know
in advance. And if they know in advance, right, they're
not taken by surprise, and as you say, they can
maybe be there for you.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, they can support you through that. Absolutely that. I
like this thinking about it ahead idea. Yeah. So then
the other thing is how might you be able to
help someone who is struggling during the holiday. So you
know someone and they seem like they're struggling or they've
been going through some grief, how might you help them? Okay,
so one of the things you can do is check
(07:43):
in on them. Yeah, I feel like that's such a
small thing. You can text them, give them a call,
stop by and see them.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
I still do birthday cards like old school, let's mail
some Christmas cards.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I think folks can do that. These things you
can get like a fifty they're not that you know, expensive,
but if they're if you have some of those and
you you know the address of the person, and right,
that's as simple. It seems to me, like you said, texting, calling,
stopping by, but send them a card.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Yeah, I mean when you receive a card, think about
how that feels. It feels like that person really thought
about you. They took the steps to actually send you
this card with some thoughtful thing in it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
You know, Well, that's interesting because I don't receive nearly
as many cards as I send out, so I know,
I feel I feel horrible. Oh, I feel terrible because
nobody's sending to me any cards. But you know what,
doctor Ashley, Yeah, I keep sending the cards even if
I don't get one back.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I love that. Yeah, good, because sending.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Of the card is not dependent on receiving the card back.
I mean, I might judge them internally, doctor Ashley, but
I still appreciate the cards that I do get.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
I think it's great. Cards are like old school, Yes
they are, but I love that they're meaningful, and I
don't know, I love that part of Christmas.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
What else can we do?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Somebody struggling offer to make food. Oh so, people who
are grieving often struggle to take care of themselves the
basic needs. You know. I like that maybe invite them
over for dinner. That can help them have some social interaction,
but also it serves the needs. They don't have to
cook dinner for themselves at night. Sure, you know, well
I like that too because.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
I know it sounds again maybe a little old fashioned,
but there is something about having a meal together. You know.
One of the things we've stressed on other podcasts is
our concern for seniors, but this goes for any any
age group that is alone at the holidays or alone.
Generally speaking, we know connection is king. So folks that
(09:44):
are connected to other people are usually both mentally and
emotionally and physically healthier. So anything that encourages connection, and
this idea of offering to make food and have somebody
over or have food in their home if that's where
they feel most comfortable, I like that.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah. And when you think about it, grief is the
loss of a very important connection, right, So I think
helping by offering connection and reaching out. But it could
be difficult for that person to reach out to you
and ask for connection. It might be easier to say, hey, like, yeah,
I'll come over for dinner, you know, or to accept
that connection from someone.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right maybe ask them, you know, what's their favorite dish
or if you don't know, or maybe you know, what
what can I bring over? That's one of the things
I've learned is to ask, you know, what do you like?
Don't assume you know that's that's true. You want to
bring over a dish and the person says, oh, right,
that's the or trigger them right, it's like, so that's
(10:41):
what my aunt Mabel may before she passed, right, that
would be a bad, bad thing to do if you don't.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Oh yeah, that's that's a good point.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
So always ask offer, But then ask you know, what
would be something that I could make for you that
you know you'd like that you like.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Yeah, I love that. Another one offer to help with
everyday tasks again, because those things can be really difficult.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So you know, we just recently had in the Ashton
County community that United Way Dave Caring, where you know,
we have different teams of individuals and organizations that go
out and they do this. They offer to help with
everyday task. But you know that's on a county wide basis.
We do that. I think what we're talking about here
is just on an individual basis. We need to be
(11:22):
trying to do this and it can be what what
are some of the tasks?
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Maybe you offer to get their groceries for them. Okay,
maybe that's overwhelming and they can't do it. Help with
their laundry, run some errands, whatever. It is just little
things that take something off of their plate. I think
that makes a huge difference.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
You know, with my laundry, doctor Ashley, it's it's whites
and reds. Everything just goes right in.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Yeah, you know, I wondered why you had pink sock.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Yes, luckily this is this is an audio podcast, not
a video luckily. Yeah, so I'm going to work on that.
Somebody says you got to keep them separated.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Like the song, but we need a clip, and I
think this one might be the most important. Yeah. Listening
goes a long way, Yes, it does. Right, Spend some
time actually listen to what's going on with the person,
give them some space to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
I like that. That's also connecting with them, right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Yeah. And when we do our question persuade refer our
suicide prevention training in the community, we often use the
tagline listening as a power tool. And what we mean
by that is just what you said, doctor Ashley. You know,
folks don't feel heard. It requires somebody to genuinely listen
with their full attention. Give them your full attention. And
(12:35):
I think we've forgotten to some extent the power of
listening and how it helps with connection and being heard
and all that goes with that. So I like that
listening goes a long way.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Yeah, And in the hustle and bustle of the holidays,
it takes a little more intentionality to sit and talk
with someone and listen, but I think that can make
a huge difference for someone who's having a hard time.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, well, this is right. I mean we've talked a
little bit about the holidays in Gratitude, specifically for Thanksgiving,
but all the holidays. We've also talked a little bit
about those that might be struggling for a variety of
different reasons, loss or otherwise, and maybe some tips that
might help them get through this holiday season more successfully.
(13:20):
But we know, you know, this is only a short podcast.
We know there are additional resources that we can offer
and provide to the community, so we want to talk
through a few of those.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, So you can always go to the MHRB website
Nashland MHRB dot org dot org, and we have lots
of resources on there and information. Yep, we're also going
to be sharing information about grief and the holidays and
self care for the holidays on our Facebook.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Page yep, our social networks yep.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
If we have Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn all three of
those yep. And then also you can always call if
you need some support to the crisis hotline yep.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
That is for one nine two eight, one three, one
three nine, And folks will hear that in the outro.
But in addition to calling, I will say that we
like to have a winter newsletter that'll be coming out
and I've seen an early draft of that, Doctor Ashley,
and I think you and Sandy here at the office
have put together a really good addition. So it'll have
(14:20):
some of the information we just spoke about, but I
think it'll have a lot more. It's very comprehensive. But again,
as you said, the website U and if things really
get rough, you're concerned about yourself or somebody else, call
our helpline, our hotline, because it does both. It helps
folks that just need somebody to talk to, maybe they
need direction, maybe they need resources here in the community.
(14:42):
And the reason I'm so positive about our local line
is it's local and the folks that are answering the
phone at Appleseed know the Ashton County community, they know
the resources, they know really how to direct folks. They've
been doing it for twenty plus years. So four one
nine two one three one three nine that's the Appleseed.
(15:03):
Actually that's their main number, but the crisis number is
the four one nine two eight nine six one one one.
But again that'll be in the the outro.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
I love that. And one thing I just wanted to
say before we wrap up. Something my grandma always said
to Actually what it says, Nana as the best, but
she always said to me, take good care of yourself,
but take good care of each other too.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
I like that. Well, from Nana to all our listeners.
Listen to Nana and we appreciate you all listening to
the Keeping Ashland Healthy podcast with Doctor Ashley and the Boss.
Doctor I said, let me be one of the first
to wish you a happy holiday season.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Well, thank you and same to you.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Thank you, thank you for listening to another episode of
the Keeping Ashline Healthy podcast. The podcast is a production
of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County, Ohio.
You can reach the board by calling four one nine
two eight one three one three nine Please remind remember
that the Board funds a local twenty four to seven
crisis line through Applese Community Mental Health Center. It can
(16:05):
be reached by calling four one nine two eight nine
sixty one one one. That's four one nine two eight
nine sixty one one one. Until next time, Please join
us in keeping Ashland healthy.
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