Hello!

As mental health professionals, we focus on mental health all day, every day. However, May is a very special month as we celebrate mental health awareness as a nation. Our newsletter this month has some helpful tools and inspiration, all created and backed by our staff.

I encourage you to take a mental health screener, seek support if needed, and to practice the 3 mindfulness exercises shared below. I hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend with the people you love most.

All my best to you now and always,

Dr. Pam McCaskill

734-416-9098
McCaskill Family Services Newsletter
Term: Spring| Issue 29| May 29th, 2022
Mental Wellness
"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." -Socrates

For many of us, knowing ourselves is an ongoing journey. This is likely due to the fact that we are constantly changing; reshaping ourselves through new experiences and emotions, discovering who we are through new thoughts and old reflections. As humans, we are always evolving, hopefully, into improved versions of ourselves.

If you struggle with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, etc. it is likely that this is a way you characterize yourself. This makes perfect sense when 1 in 5 adults experienced a mental health condition in 2020, and 1 in 3 adolescents reported the same. There is comfort in knowing you're not alone, and having an explanation for your struggles.

However, if mental illness is met with a sense of permanency and apathy, it becomes unhealthy to use this as part of your identity. Adopting a mentality that you are "stuck", "defeated", or "have no control" over your mental illness can significantly impede your healing and lead to longer lasting or increased symptoms. Although it is necessary to acknowledge and accept our mental health struggles, it is just as vital that we meet them with vigor and determination, knowing that we can improve upon them, while realizing they do not have to define all of what we are. Ask yourself, what else do I bring to the world around me? You may struggle with anxiety, but you are also a myriad of other qualities.


Our very own Emily K (who celebrated over 10 years with MFS this year!) shares some of her thoughts on how to gain control over your mental health in a positive, proactive way.
At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with children and adults who are struggling with all kinds of presenting mental health issues. If your family or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained and experienced in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
Quotes from our Founders
Mental Health Screening
Unsure about your mental health? A quick screening can be the first step toward accessing care. Check out the link below from Mental Health America for screeners on conditions such as depression, PTSD, ADHD, eating disorders and others.

Following the screener, you will be provided with information and resources for further understanding and improving your mental health.
Get to Know Our Staff
Clinician Spotlight
Emily Kavanagh is one of the original members of our McCaskill Family! She recently celebrated her 10 year work anniversary with our team! She serves as our clinical director of our Plymouth office.

Emily provides therapy and assessment services for children, families, and adult clients. She has a strong background working with a variety of clinical problems including depression, anxiety, ADHD, learning disabilities, and child behavioral problems in individual, group, and family therapy settings.

Additionally, she is an active member in our community, running the Western-Wayne County CHADD group, and providing ongoing mental health presentations for parents and families throughout the year.

Out of the office, Emily loves traveling, kayaking, doing home renovations, DIY projects, and spending time with family and friends.
Practice Mindfulness for Mental Health
Short, daily, practices of mindfulness have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and improve attention. Here are 3 of our favorite, simple, exercises!
Close your eyes and listen for the cue. When you hear it, your goal is to focus your attention on the sound and continue your concentration until the sound fades completely. If any thoughts arise during this exercise, notice them, and allow them to pass through your mind, refocusing your attention on the sound. This exercise helps keep you firmly grounded in the present moment. Use the audio below to help guide you.
Pick up a leaf from outside. For 5 minutes, give it your full attention, studying it as if you are a curious observer or scientist. Hold the leaf in your hand noticing its shape, weight, shades of colors, textures, patterns etc. The helps to bring you into the present moment, aligning your thoughts with your current experience.
Select a song that you enjoy, and pick out one instrument (guitar, bass, drums etc.) Attempt to listen to ONLY that instrument throughout the song, ignoring the other sounds. This exercise helps strengthen your attention to the current moment, making it more clear and less jumbled/chaotic.
Newsletter Editor's Notes
The Pursuit of Joy

When we were toddlers, happiness was simple. We laughed at the silliest things, sought out activities that we enjoyed, hugged our loved ones as necessary, got enough sleep, said what we wanted to say, ate without guilt, and exuded confidence.

Over time, these things start to slip away, as we become quickly and heavily influenced by the world around us. We no longer seek out joy or take care of ourselves because we are too busy, too tired, etc. We become worried about what others think about us, and feel differently about ourselves due to social obligations and media comparisons.

Happiness may be our birth right, but seeking and creating joy is our fundamental responsibility. We must search for it on a daily basis, and create it in its absence. Happiness can be difficult to find, and sometimes, we forget to acknowledge that it's OK and normal to not feel happy every day. The happiest, most adaptive way to make it through these low days is to acknowledge this normal fluctuation of life, turning your attention towards happiness again once you are ready. Most every action in our lives springs from the aspiration to be happy, as happiness is the fundamental aspect of our origin and existence (defined uniquely for the individual). Despite all the stress, violence, sadness, and responsibilities we frequently face, I hope these words inspire you to seek joy regardless of these competing factors. Think back to when you were a child. What brought you joy then? Start there. Do more of what makes you happy, for its connection to you is not random but purposeful in nature.

Warmly, -Jaclyn
Happy Spring!
Welcome. I'm Jaclyn, a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, self-harm, and eating disorders for all ages. I co-run the McCaskill Family Services DBT groups for teens and adults, and specialize in psychological assessment. I am also our monthly newsletter editor and social media manager!

I'd like to personally thank you for staying in touch with our practice, and hope you find this newsletter inspirational and informative. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. I look forward to working with you!