Our Blog: Upward Alabama

Beyond the Season of Thanks: Enhancing Well-Being with Daily Gratitude

By Megan Keyes, Ph.D.

Posted: November 19, 2025

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is the perfect time to reflect on the power of gratitude in our lives. Research tells us the practice of gratitude can significantly enhance our well-being and resilience. At Upward, we believe that proactively cultivating mental wellness is an investment in yourself, as it not only protects against mental health struggles but enhances one’s quality of life. Let us delve into what “mental wellness” means, the purpose of gratitude, its myriads of benefits, and practical strategies to incorporate gratitude into our daily life.

Childhood OCD

By Misti Norton, Ph.D., DBSM

OCD Children

Posted: November 17, 2025

OCD can first appear at any age, but individuals seem to get symptoms most commonly at either ages 7-12 or in the late teens/young adult years. Research shows us that individuals who develop OCD in childhood are more likely to have a family history of OCD or similar disorders. Additionally, childhood OCD often doesn’t come alone—it tends to show up with other disorders like depression, anxiety, tic disorders, ADHD, and autism. Additionally, because there is significant overlap among symptoms, children may be misdiagnosed.

Up Close with Upward: Depressed in Alabama

By Megan Keyes, Ph.D.

Advice

Depression

Posted: November 4, 2025

Dear Upward, I’m really struggling with some heavy stuff right now. I’ve been dealing with depression and anxiety, and honestly, it’s hard to see if I'm worth anything at all. Some days, it feels like I'm just going through the motions without any joy. I'm reaching out because I want to know what I can do to work through this and start feeling good about myself again. What can I do to get back on track? --Depressed in Alabama

Menopause and Mental Health

By Katherine Cofer, Ph.D.

Menopause

Treatment

Posted: October 31, 2025

Oftentimes, menopause is treated as the punchline to a joke, a gag in a sitcom, or maybe just something no one talks about. These negative messages are very detrimental to many women. They can leave people feeling isolated, alone, and confused. But it does not have to be that way. So, what is menopause, what does it mean for our mental health, and what can we do about it?