February has arrived and love is in the air. There is value in making love a high priority in your life and the waning of winter is a good time to renew these commitments. Love comes in many forms. It can be from/directed towards your significant other, family, friends, a valued neighbor, supportive co-worker, or even a pet. Intimate relationships nurtured with generous intent contribute to us during all phases of our life. Love gives purpose and meaning to our existence; it sustains us in powering through the hard times and enriches our appreciation of the good times.
As many of you know, love does not always feel good. It is sometimes a source of pain. As we journey through life, those whom we love may hurt us, this is considered normal. Love will have its up and downs; it involves lots of giving as well as receiving. Remember that it is a gift that you give to yourself and those around you; I encourage you all to make it a conscious practice to be in action around love. Loving will enhance your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
While speaking of the importance of love and appreciation, I want to recognize Black History Month and give honor to one of my heroes, The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I was a young adult during Dr. King's leadership of the civil rights movement and I appreciated his words and passionate leadership during a time of struggle and change. His life stolen from him and the world was a tragedy for all Americans, especially the black community, and for the world. We have made great progress, but with decades of suppression and discrimination, much still remains to be done. Hate and demonizing any fellow human being takes a terrible toll on both perpetrator and the victim. I am proud that my staff and I recognize and treat all people as "equal" whatever their age, sex, color, or diagnosis is. Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles is a safe, supportive, and inclusive place in which to receive care.
I want to send a shout out this month to my team. We are celebrating Alyssa's 2-year anniversary at the clinic as well as Denisse's birthday. These ladies put an enormous amount of heart into what they do every day. I appreciate their commitment to our patients who often remind me how wonderful they are!
Sam Mandel, my son and Chief Operating Officer here at the clinic, is foremost an actor. Sam has the lead role in the play,
The Chosen, which opened January 20th at the Fountain Theater in Hollywood. I love and admire his ability to juggle so many different tasks, one of the perks of being passionate and energetic. He does a spectacular job running the clinic and running the stage. If you are interested in performing arts at all, you should go to see this play. It is a beautiful story and very well presented. I've posted the details below.
I wish you all a fabulous February!
Dr. Steven L. Mandel
President & Founder
USA WEEKLY FEATURING DR. MANDEL
USA Weekly interviewed Dr. Mandel recognizing him as an admired entrepreneur! Read Interview Here!
BLACK & AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH
"Mental Health America works nationally and locally to raise awareness about mental health. We believe that everyone at risk for mental illnesses and related disorders should receive early and effective interventions. Historically, communities of color experience unique and considerable challenges in accessing mental health services." Read More...
13.2 % of the U.S. population, or roughly 45.7 million people, identify themselves as Black or African American, according to 2014 U.S. Census Bureau numbers. Another 2.5% identified as multiracial. This represents an increase from 12.6 percent of the U.S. population, who identified themselves as Black/African-American in the 2010 Census.
[1]
Data from 2010 shows that fifty-five percent of all Black/African American people lived in the South, 18 percent lived in the Midwest, 17 percent in the Northeast, and 10 percent in the West.
[2]
Historical adversity, which includes slavery, sharecropping and race-based exclusion from health, educational, social and economic resources, translates into socioeconomic disparities experienced by African Americans today. Socioeconomic status, in turn, is linked to mental health: People who are impoverished, homeless, incarcerated or have substance abuse problems are at higher risk for poor mental health.
Despite progress made over the years, racism continues to have an impact on the mental health of Black/African Americans. Negative stereotypes and attitudes of rejection have decreased, but continue to occur with measurable, adverse consequences. Historical and contemporary instances of negative treatment have led to a mistrust of authorities, many of whom are not seen as having the best interests of Black/African Americans in mind.
WHAT PETS CAN OFFER IF YOU'RE DEPRESSED
Comfort, companionship, and love. If depression makes you feel lonely, pets can break the cycle. "A pet can remind you that you're not alone," says Desiree Wiercyski, a life coach in Fort Wayne, IN. "Pets offer unconditional love, which can be extraordinarily soothing when feeling isolated." Read More...
NAOMI JUDD SHARES ABOUT HER DEPRESSION
My depression kept me inert for two years. My family's help got me through.
"Depression is a disease of the brain, just like heart disease is a disease of the heart and diabetes is a disease of the pancreas. My brain simply doesn't make any of the happy chemicals it's supposed to, and I have to use medication to give me a chance to have a life."
Read More...
by Naomi Judd /
THE CHOSEN
Featuring our very own COO, Sam Mandel!
Sam is starting off 2018 with his stage debut as the lead in the West Coast Premiere of
The Chosen at the Fountain Theatre! The play has received dozens of rave reviews since opening night. After the first night Sam said:
"First Preview last night was beautiful! Not a dry eye in the house & standing ovation!"
The Chosen is an award-winning novel by Chaim Potok, later adapted into several other mediums, earning awards in each; a film by Potok and Edward Gordon and a play by Potok and Aaron Posner, which has been newly revamped for the stage just in time for the 50th anniversary of the novel! The show opened
Saturday January 20th and will run every Friday at 8pm,
Saturday at
8pm,
Sunday at
2pm, and Monday at
8pm through
March 25th. If you are interested in seeing the show:
Our whole team went to see Sam perform last night on Monday February 5th! It was an absolutely amazing show that everyone enjoyed. We're all so proud to have such a talented, hard working COO; great job Sam!
ALYSSA'S 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
February 16th
February 16th, 2018 marks Alyssa's two year anniversary at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles. Many of you know her well as she is our warm, kind, Patient Care Coordinator that welcomes all at the front desk and on the phones. We are excited to celebrate her 2nd Anniversary with us and are eager to spend another year working alongside her. Thank you for your service, we appreciate all you do for our patients and for us!
We recently posted a live video of Alyssa giving a tour of our clinic! Click below to view the video and make sure you subscribe to our
Youtube channel to see more!
Alyssa gives a tour of our clinic!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENISSE!
February 27th
This month we celebrate our amazing nurse Denisse! She informed us long ago that February is her "holiday month" so if you happen to be at the clinic feel free to wish her a happy birthday. Denisse joined our team last June. She is a core part of our work family and we appreciate her commitment to us and her compassion towards our patients. Have a wonderful birthday Denisse!
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