We started the Dear Dr. Michelle advice column at the height of COVID as an additional way to provide free, accessible help to those who may need it while navigating our new environment. As we transition back to pre-pandemic days, our Dear Dr. Michelle column is coming to a close. As a final hurrah, we wanted to share a list of our top ten most visited advice articles over the past two and half years.

In this month of love and romance, we often forget one of the most important kinds of love – loving yourself. We share some tips and tricks on how to help build your self-esteem and learn to love yourself.   

Our Nexus Mille-Lacs New Trails Group Home in Onamia, MN, has added a new member to their home – of the fluffy variety. Mr. Mittens was a stray cat that staff and youth noticed hanging around, looking for food in the dumpster. The youth at New Trails started to leave out food and water for him, as well as attention. The staff at New Trails decided to make Mr. Mittens an official member of the house after witnessing him comfort a youth, who had gone outside to sit on the front steps.

Practicing positive self-talk can be incredibly helpful in growing your self-esteem. Matthew Talmadge, Outpatient Services Clinical Supervisor at Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, narrates a few daily affirmations. Take a listen.

I have had to break up with my best friend. She was not able to listen to my feelings about things in the friendship. She also stopped spending time with me like we used to and would never tell me why. I feel sad and hurt and am in a deep depression I am struggling to get out of. I blame myself. I will still have to see her on occasion. How can I get out of this deep depression and deal with times I may have to see her?

Making new friends is hard, especially as an adult with the added layer of living in a new city. But finding those connections are so important for our mental health and well-being, as friendships help us find a sense of belonging, boost our happiness, and can help build our self-esteem. Here are a few tips on how to create new relationships in a new community. 

February is National Library Lover’s month, so we asked our staff members at our different agencies what mental health books are their favorite for children. See their recommendations below and learn a little bit about how reading can positively impact your child’s mental health and overall development! 

We asked our staff members which mental health books are their favorite for children. Our Mental Health Books for Children includes their recommendations as well as facts on how reading can positively impact your child’s mental health and overall development.

My four-year old is developmentally delayed and has had some aggressive behaviors in the past. We've been told by professionals that he might be on the spectrum, but his current behavior is an abrupt departure from the past because it's very frequent and the sessions are longer too. Although we already did so, we plan on getting him tested again for bipolar personality disorder, and autism. We are in a crisis. What can we do?

Maria is just like any other teenage girl. She has multiple activities on her plate – school, sports, and theatre to balance all at once. But Maria is different from other teens – she no longer lives with her family, and never will again. In October 2021, Maria was staying at referred her to Nexus-Indian Oak’s Lighthouse Girl’s Group Home, which was a turning point for Maria.