Horse is this year’s zodiac (2026), and the 7th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Snake and before the Goat. Recent years of the Horse include 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, and 1954, with the next Horse year in 2038 (Year of the Earth Horse). It is associated with the earthly branch sign of wu.

According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They’re fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion; they’re decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.

Chinese Zodiac Years for Horse

The Chinese zodiacs, like many aspects of traditional Chinese culture, are derived from the Chinese lunar calendar, which does not correspond exactly with the Gregorian calendar. You can use our calculator below to quickly find your sign.

For those born in January or February, pay special attention to when the Chinese New Year begins, as your zodiac animal sign may fall in the previous year’s cycle (see the chart below).

for more info, go to Year of the Horse: Fortune, Personality, Horoscope (2026)

Meaning of the Fire Horse in Lunar New Year (2026)

The Lunar New Year of 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac cycle.

In Chinese astrology:

The Horse symbolizes energy, freedom, speed, and strong spirit.

The Fire element represents passion, intensity, ambition, and leadership.

When combined, the Fire Horse represents:

Powerful drive and determination

Boldness and independence

Charisma and strong personality

Fast-moving change and dynamic energy

A Fire Horse year is often seen as a time of action, transformation, and high motivation. However, because both Horse and Fire are very strong energies, it can also bring impulsiveness or dramatic shifts.

In short, the Lunar New Year Fire Horse symbolizes a year of passion, courage, and powerful forward movement.

Year of the fire horse – explained: the Chinese zodiac sign that’s all about intensity

Explainer

Year of the fire horse – explained: the Chinese zodiac sign that’s all about intensity

Lunar new year has ushered in a rare zodiac symbol with a reputation for energy and independence

As the lunar new year begins, the focus has turned to the Chinese zodiac and the arrival of the year of the fire horse – a rare pairing in the 60-year lunar cycle.

Drawing on Chinese metaphysics, the fire horse blends the horse’s reputation for energy and independence with the intensity of the fire element, giving it a distinct place in the zodiac tradition.

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What is the Chinese zodiac and the five elements?

The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle in which each year is represented by an animal sign: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. With roots in ancient lunar calendar traditions, the system places certain personality traits under various birth years.

Alongside the animals, Chinese astrology incorporates the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These elements rotate with the zodiac animals, creating a 60-year cycle. Each element is believed to influence one’s traits and destiny.

“The metaphysical theory is that everything on this Earth, including humans, are made up of these five elements and then within these elements, there are yin and yang versions,” the holistic Chinese astrologer Lydia Lee says.

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How and when does the fire horse occur?

Once every 60 years, the fire horse is created by pairing the horse with the fire element.

The Chinese zodiac system combines 12 animal signs with the 10 heavenly stems, or 10 symbols that represent the five elements, each in yin and yang forms.

As the animal signs and elements rotate together year by year, every zodiac year is assigned an animal and element. A fire horse year is often described as being fast-moving and high-energy. The last fire horse was in 1966, when China’s Cultural Revolution began, a time of political and social upheaval.

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What are the personality traits of the fire horse?

People born in horse years are forthright, strong in reasoning and alert, says Ming Shao, a Melbourne-based feng shui expert. “They are also eloquent … and known for being impatient, wilful [and] heroic individuals,” he says. Adding fire “intensifies” the horse’s characteristics including dynamism, energy, dedication and leadership, according to Shao.

View image in fullscreen

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What is predicted for the fire horse year?

Experts say the fire horse year is widely expected to bring intense, fast-paced change on a personal and global level.

Xiaohuan Zhao, a professor in Chinese studies at the University of Sydney, says “rather than predicting disaster, traditional readings frame the fire horse year as a period where heightened energy needs to be managed wisely”.

“Slowing down before making major decisions, staying grounded, and cultivating emotional steadiness are … key ways to navigate the year’s momentum”, he adds.

Grace Niu, a Sydney-based feng shui consultant, also suggests caution, saying that the fire horse year amplifies every natural trait to an intense degree, resulting in “unstoppable drive [and] immense passion … but like a wildfire, that energy must be directed or it can burn through everything – including themselves”.

Pan Wang, an associate professor of Chinese studies at the University of New South Wales, says that based on historical patterns, the fire horse year is predicted to be a challenging period marked by upheaval. “The fire element can manifest as instability and violence, as well as heated economic development and rapid, sometimes reckless, growth.”

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Could any industries, zodiac signs or age groups be especially affected?

According to Zhao, industries “connected with movement, heat or rapid change such as technology, finance, transportation, energy and entertainment may feel the fire horse year’s fast and intense pace more strongly”.

In Chinese astrology, the fire horse and those with rat signs are considered a challenging match: the horse’s impulsive, high-energy nature clashes with the rat’s cautious and strategic approach. Other zodiac signs expected to be most affected by the fire horse include the rabbit and the ox.

But not all clashes are bad. For Lee, clashes in energy can bring vital change. “When we experience our lives being stagnant … we actually welcome clashes because it can be transformed into breakthroughs,” she says.

Niu says people entering new life chapters, such as those turning 30, 42, or 60 years old, may find the energy creating a profound rite of passage.

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What’s the best way to navigate the year?

The key is to stay grounded. Balancing the fire with water-element practices such as slowing down, meditating and hydrating can help, the Sydney-based feng shui expert Mina Zheng says.

Everybody will experience too much fire, she says, adding: “We need to drink a lot more water, more than before, and we also need to cherish water.”

Zheng highlights the balancing power of the earth element to help offset fire. She recommends eating more earthy root vegetables like potatoes and carrots.

Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui expert, suggests wearing certain colours. She says those born in the summer months should “wear more cool tones to help balance out the heavy fire … such as silver, gold, blue and white”.

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Is the fire horse something to fear?

Definitely do not fear, Pan says. “I think the fire horse is a self-paradoxical year: it can bring extreme success, such as rapid career progression, but it can also be extremely challenging if one burns out or succumbs to anxiety, which may lead to failure. That said, if we harness the fire horse well, there’s nothing to fear. Embrace the challenge and find a balance!”

The post Chinese New Year 2026—Year of the Horse appeared first on Good News!.

The post GoodNewsLetter: Join TODAY, DECEMBER 12th, 2025, 10:30 AM-3:00 PM Virtual Meeting Invite KRFI Questors: Global Mental Health Summit 2025 appeared first on Good News!.

For Immediate Release:  Dr. Lee is available for Interviews ASAP

New York, NY – The Knowledge Recovery Foundation Institute (KRFI) has been involved with a natural, botanical drug product derived from the bark of the Voacanga iboga plant , known as ibogaine. To date, numerous European organizations and Stanford University have reported the use of IBOGAINE WITH GREAT SUCCESS.

Myung Hi Sonserai Lee, the founder of KRFI, states, Public Benefit Corporation with 501(c)(3)  

We have been working on this for 40 years. We are excited to see New York pass a bipartisan bill, Senate Bill S1817, which requires the NYS Governor Hochul and Commissioner Cunningham of the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to encourage, aid, and facilitate clinical research into the use of ibogaine in drug treatment, opioid, and substance addiction.  Send your petition signature and a letter requesting NYS Governor Hochul and Commissioner Cunningham of the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to sign the bill by January 2026, to meet the NYS Senate and Assembly deadline. Texas, California, and other states and countries are proceeding with research and legal implementation. www.krfi.org

Contact www.krfi.org/NYS Ibogaine Research Bill.  Write to Governor.Hochul@exec.ny.gov, and Senator Rodriguez for (BiPartisan Bill A6210 and S1817) Write to: Chinazo.Cunningham@OASES.ny.gov

KRFI is organizing a SUMMIT and New York Academy of Science on December 12, 2026.. Topics to be included:  www.krfi.org/NYS Ibogaine Research Bill petition. George Soros, Open Society Foundation for the Lifetime Humanitarian Award. NYS Attorney General Leticia James, Questors Best Human Rights Defense Award

Testimonials: Bryan Hubbard (Financial Times) – Economic Case for Recovery Investment: “ 

Americans for Ibogaine unites clinicians, researchers, and advocates to promote science-based awareness and reduce stigma around ibogaine therapy.

George Soros – Philanthropy & Global Mental Health Finance – The trust and support I have received over the years from individuals, organizations, and institutions like the Knowledge Recovery Institute serve as a foundation of credibility. Together, these relationships will continue to inspire confidence and foster unlimited growth in our shared mission to improve mental health worldwide.” George Soros, Open Society Foundation for the Lifetime Humanitarian Award.  NBA player Stéphane Lasme has stated· “Beyond physical trauma, players grapple with anxiety and identity loss after their careers end. Ibogaine has been a ‘game-changer’ for mental health, helping players find a new perspective and reconnect with themselves.” NBA player Lamar Odom discusses his ibogaine treatment; “he has recovered a sense of choice, even during tough life moments like losing his ‘best man’ (Kobe Bryant), Conor McGregor, MMA Champion, 11/25/25, “Ibogaine saved my life and family.”  

For Immediate Release:

New York, NY – The Knowledge Recovery Foundation Institute (KRFI) has been involved with a natural, botanical drug product derived from the bark of the Voacanga iboga plant *, known as ibogaine. To date, numerous European organizations and Stanford University have reported the use of IBOGAINE WITH GREAT SUCCESS.

Myung Hi Sonserai Lee, the founder of KRFI, states, * * 

We have been working on this for 40 years, and we are excited to see New York pass a bipartisan bill, Senate Bill S1817, which requires the NYS Governor Hochul and Commissioner Cunningham of the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and supports to encourage, aid, and facilitate clinical research into the use of ibogaine in drug treatment, opioid, and substance addiction.  Send your petition signature and a letter requesting NYS Governor Hochul and Commissioner Cunningham of the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to sign the bill by January 2026, to meet the NYS Senate and Assembly deadline. 

Contact www.krfi.org/NYS Ibogaine Research Bill.  Write to Governor.Hochul@exec.ny.gov, and Senator Rodriguez for (BiPartisan Bill A6210 and S1817) Write to: Chinazo.Cunningham@OASAS.ny.gov

KRFI looks forward to the Governor of New York implementing the bill, which could potentially save many people from addiction to opioids and Substance Use conditions for recovery.

KRFI is part of a private-public sector partnership consortium for Americans for Ibogaine that supports the Texas State Government in passing a bipartisan bill that allocated $ 50 million to ibogaine clinical trials.  KRFI, over the past 40 years, has developed Original Ibogaine extraction and formulation IPs with Access for Benefit Sharing of the IPs and the Royalty based private public sector partnership with Biodiversity + Carbon credits for partnering States/Countries that will immediately allow for U.S. trials to begin and is reaching out to a matching fund by Global Mental Health Security Fund for the NYS $300 million Ibogaine Clinical Research Bill.

Let’s bring everyone together to rally behind healing. Investors, wellness practitioners, advocates – Let’s help pass this bipartisan bill. To help proceed, here is a link for the supporting bill: Go to:  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1817

Additionally, KRFI is organizing a SUMMIT in New  York on December 11 and 12, 2026. Topics to be included:  www.krfi.org/NYS Ibogaine Research Bill petition

Support for Ibogaine has come from a private-public sector partnership, including grants and donations from the NYS Ibogaine Research Bill, as well as matching fund sponsors/investors, and consortium members for clinical trial alliances.

Bryan Hubbard (Financial Times) – Economic Case for Recovery Investment: “ 

Americans for Ibogaine unites clinicians, researchers, and advocates to promote science-based awareness and reduce stigma around ibogaine therapy. Through education, policy engagement, and community partnerships, we strive to expand safe and legal access to medically supervised care.”

George Soros – Philanthropy & Global Mental Health Finance

“I am deeply touched by your thoughtfulness and by the Questors: Global Mental Health Summit Committee’s recognition of my work in the field of mental health. Our work and actions have always been rooted in legality, transparency, and integrity. The truth will stand clear, revealing that my efforts have always been dedicated to the right cause and the greater good.    The trust and support I have received over the years from individuals, organizations, and institutions like the Knowledge Recovery Institute serve as a foundation of credibility. Together, these relationships will continue to inspire confidence and foster unlimited growth in our shared mission to improve mental health worldwide.”

NBA player Stéphane Lasme has stated· “Beyond physical trauma, players grapple with anxiety and identity loss after their careers end. Ibogaine has been a ‘game-changer’ for mental health, helping players find a new perspective and reconnect with themselves.”

NBA player Lamar Odom discusses his ibogaine treatment; “he has recovered a sense of choice, even during tough life moments like losing his ‘best man’ (Kobe Bryant), and in other situations that would have previously been triggers for him to return to drugs. “Just as fast as I say cocaine,” Lamar reflects, “the thought of it leaves my mind.” This interview is a testament to Odom’s recovery, which he attributes to ibogaine, to will, and to God, and serves as inspiration to others facing personal challenges. “Now I just wanna try to use my story to help people, because if I could get through that… I know they could; it shouldn’t take 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks for anybody else to get through it.”

Conor McGregor, MMA Champion, “ Ibogaine save my life and my family.” 11/25/2025.

Currently, active clinical trials are being conducted in Norway, Canada, and the UK. The Ibogaine Clinical Research Act is seeking a global alliance for the clinical trial and drug supply chain security through Access for Benefit Sharing – IP model.

* Iboga is a rainforest perennial shrub (Voacanga iboga), from which IBOGAINE is derived, native to Central Africa. A member of the Apocynaceae family, indigenous to Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo, it is cultivated across Central Africa for its medicinal and other effects.  KRFI has identified central and South American cultivars for indigenous collective production under Access for Benefit Sharing and IP registration for the local PPP framework, and In-country coordination for the Ministry of Health Mental Health Program and UNCED.

** We request that the New York State Senate and Assembly introduce and pass a bipartisan bill authorizing by January 2026:
– Allocation of NYS  $12 Bn Opioid Settlement Funds for OASIS Commission for Opioid Abatement for FDA-approved Ibogaine trials “An Ibogaine Clinical Research Bill”
– Establishment of the Mental Health Security Hyperledger Security (1) Access for Benefit Sharing – Intellectual Property Rights (ABS-IP) for a PPP framework for secure clinical and supply chain data on the hyperledger dashboard

– State adoption of the Natural Medicine Health Act for plant-based treatment research and veterans and indigenous tribes for health equity by the In-state Clinical Trial Management and Reporting  partnership (CTMS-Reporting) for the first responders and practitioner training for pharmacovigilance (Drug – Drug interactions affecting our society) on entheogenic ibogaine and psychedelics 

This bill would create a legal and financial framework for New York to lead national policy on breakthrough addiction treatments.

Background for KRFI 

Join Us at the Global Mental Health Summit on December 12, 2025, at the New York Academy of Medicine.  December 12th, 2025, Gala Award Ceremony Dinner honoring George Soros, Open Society Foundation for the Lifetime Humanitarian Award. NYS Attorney General Leticia James, Questors Best Human Rights Defense Award

The Knowledge Recovery Foundation Institute is a Public Benefit Corporation with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in advancing global addiction recovery research through clinical, technological, and policy innovation. KRFI leads the Global Mental Health Security Fund initiative to accelerate equitable access to psychedelic-assisted therapies and ensure international collaboration through Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS) models.

All Charitable donations for Knowledge Recovery Institute, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity – Tax ID# 73-3223951. All Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Note:  IBOGAINE is not FDA-approved, and it is guided under Medically Assisted Therapy under regulatory compliance. Not all patients can use IBOGAINE, so speak to your doctor about it for future use.

For More Information contact: Info@krfi.org; KRFI PR & Media: paul.sladkus@Krfi.org; 212 647 1212 and/or KRFI Questors Private Public Sector Partnership: andres.cordova@krfi.org 214-725-7088

Donate@krfi.org and Schedule a meeting with PPP membership: Membership@krfi.org

To watch the PSA, go to: https://www.krfi.org/psa

KRFI will also be a supporter of the Times Square Earth Day concert on April 22, 2026.  www.pausetheworldforpeace.org

The post Emergency – A New Organic BOTANICAL MEDICINE “Short Recovery” Solution to Drug Addiction is Here appeared first on Good News!.

The idea that thinking good thoughts leads to good outcomes is a core concept in positive thinking and mental well-being. By focusing on positive thoughts, you can shift your mindset and increase your likelihood of experiencing positive emotions, fostering resilience, and potentially attracting positive experiences.
Think Good Thought and set the course of your life in the right direction.
Blessings;
Marc

The post Happy Tuesday appeared first on Good News!.

Schizophrenia is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and people often find themselves in a cycle of discontinuing and switching therapies. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of people with schizophrenia do not respond to therapy, and up to 60% experience a partial or inadequate improvement or intolerable side effects during therapy.

The FDA recently approved a new medication for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults, representing the first new class of medicine in more than 30 years. This new treatment option leverages a novel pathway and represents a new mechanistic approach to addressing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Dr. Gus Alva, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatry Association will be available to discuss the significance of this new treatment for adults living with schizophrenia and their care partners, and its potential to transform the treatment landscape.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, THE FDA HAS APPROVED THE FIRST DRUG REPRESENTING A NEW CLASS OF MEDICINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA.

ADULTS LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA HAVE A NEW TREATMENT OPTION TO HELP MANAGE THEIR CONDITION THAT INTRODUCES A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE INFORMATION IS DR. GUS ALVA,  DISTINGUISHED  LIFETIME FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRY ASSOCIATION.

BIO

Dr. Gus Alva is the medical director of ATP clinical research (a premiere private clinical research company specializing in neuropsychiatric investigations). He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He is a forensic psychiatric consultant for the Orange County Superior Court and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Alva received his medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG). Residency training was completed at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, where he served as chief resident during his final year of residency.

Dr. Alva has served as a principal investigator for the past 10 years conducting investigations in a myriad of neuropsychiatric conditions: Alzheimer’s and other dementias, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and psychotic conditions. As a clinician and investigator, Dr Alva’s focus is on the genetics, neuroimaging, and latest treatments available for each aforementioned condition, as well as aspects of ethnicity and their correlation within clinical situations. He has published numerous articles, and presents at both national and international meetings and conferences.

He is the immediate past-president of the Orange County Psychiatric Society. Dr. Alva is also a member of many professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Orange County Medical Association, the California Psychiatric Association, the American Board of Forensic Medicine, the American College of Forensic Examiners, the California Hispanic American Medical Association and the International Congress of Geriatric Psychopharmacology.

IMORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: INDICATION

COBENFY (xanomeline and trospium chloride) is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults.

It is not known if COBENFY is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not take COBENFY if you:

•        have urinary retention problems that cause your bladder to not empty completely or not empty at all

•        have moderate or severe liver problems (impairment)

•        have gastric retention problems that cause your stomach to empty slowly

•        are allergic to COBENFY, xanomeline, or trospium chloride, or any of the ingredients in COBENFY

•        have an eye problem called untreated narrow-angle glaucoma

Before taking COBENFY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

•        have an enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or a blockage in your urinary bladder

•        have liver problems

•        have or have had gallstones or problems with your bile ducts or pancreas

•        have stomach or intestinal problems, including constipation, ulcerative colitis, slow emptying of your stomach, or myasthenia gravis

•        have an eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma

•        have kidney problems

•        are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COBENFY may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with

COBENFY. o               There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who take COBENFY during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to COBENFY and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with COBENFY, your

healthcare provider will register you by calling 1-866-961-2388 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/atypicalantipsychotic/

•        are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if COBENFY passes into your breast milk or if it can harm your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking COBENFY with certain other medicines may increase your risk of side effects from COBENFY or the other medicine

The post BREAKING NEW GROUND IN SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENT appeared first on Good News!.

A mental health crisis is playing out on the streets of New York City.

Decades of disinvestment and stigmatization have left our city’s behavioral health system with insufficient resources and inadequate capacity at almost every level.

The result: We are failing New Yorkers with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, leading to a vicious cycle that impacts not only people struggling with mental illness but also their loved ones, neighbors, and community.

Here is how the cycle plays out. People with untreated psychiatric conditions that require being admitted for in-patient care are unable to get access to a bed because Manhattan has lost a significant number of in-patient psychiatric beds.

Instead, they return to the streets when discharged prematurely.

Those who are lucky enough to get a bed and are successfully stabilized need ongoing treatment through community-based outpatient services, peer-support programs, and long-term supportive housing when they leave the hospital.

But here again, patients often run into a lack of capacity and, without care, become seriously vulnerable to falling through the cracks of our healthcare system and are likely to land back on the streets and subways.

Once out of care and facing instability, this disastrous mental health cycle plays itself out over and over again.

To help better support these New Yorkers, my office is releasing “Breaking the Cycle,” a policy initiative outlining several key recommendations to tackle the leading causes of this crisis. These include:

Adding 600+ long-term psychiatric beds
Addressing shortages of clinical staff in behavioral health
Speeding up the development of supportive housing
Expanding community-based and peer-led programs
Doubling mental health teams for street outreach
Implementing these initiatives will not be easy. Some will require significant investment and political capital.

But we cannot be deterred. No matter the price, our city has a moral obligation to build a system that better serves New Yorkers with serious mental illness.

The urgency of this issue demands immediate and decisive action. We must transform our city into a place where everyone, regardless of their mental health, has access to the necessary support and resources to live with dignity and hope.

NYC Must Lead Boldly on AI

Manhattan knows we need more housing…way more housing. With the average rent topping $5,000 a month, it’s no wonder everyday New Yorkers are demanding solutions, and fast!

We’re looking at it from all angles – identifying 171 sites borough-wide where new housing is possible, approving housing projects in the pipeline more quickly than ever, and keeping up the drumbeat for supporting new construction.

Last week, Politico profiled the BP’s efforts to make way for more housing in the borough and the overwhelmingly positive response from Manhattanites.

If you would like to read more, check out our last newsletter, in which the BP put our commitment to tackling the housing crisis front and center. Want to see more housing built? Sign our petition here.

Do you enjoy helping your community? Do you have some extra time?

Year round, the Manhattan Volunteer Corps helps out with community clean-ups, clothing drives, boroughwide events, and more. It’s a great way to give back to your fellow New Yorkers and get to know your neighbors across Manhattan.

No matter what you’re interested in or what your skills are, we’ve got a spot for you on Team Levine. We’ve got a packed schedule for 2024, so sign up now to join the Manhattan Volunteer Corps!

Featured: BP’s Manhattan Composting Initiative

NYC Public Schools kindergarten applications are open now through January 19, 2024. Kindergarten offers will be available to families on March 27. Apply and learn more about kindergarten admission here.

The post A mental health crisis is playing out on the streets of New York City…BREAKING THE CYCLE appeared first on Good News!.

Listen to “THERE IS HOPE FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA   TO LIVE A FULL AND NORMAL LIFE   May is Mental Health Awareness Month ” on Spreaker.

The post THERE IS HOPE FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA   TO LIVE A FULL AND NORMAL LIFE   May is Mental Health Awareness Month  appeared first on Good News!.

Listen to “LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THOSE WHO HAVE AN INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT DISORDER KNOWN AS TD May (1-7) is Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)…” on Spreaker.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Those living with a mental health condition and taking certain mental health medicines, known as antipsychotics, for a prolonged period of time may develop or already have tardive dyskinesia, or TD, an involuntary movement disorder. The first week of May (1-7) is TD Awareness Week and this year marks the sixth consecutive year the mental health advocacy community and states across the country have recognized the awareness week.

www.talkabouttd.com

TD is associated with prolonged use of dopamine receptor blocking agents including antipsychotics that are used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder.

While 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness, TD affects approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. Approximately 70%—or 7 out of 10 people living with TD—have not yet been diagnosed.

Mild, moderate, or severe TD movements can occur in one or more spots in the body. They are often seen in the face, torso, limbs, and fingers or toes. Involuntary movements associated with TD may be rapid and jerky or slow and writhing and present as:
•  lip smacking
•  puckering or pursing
•  tongue darting or protrusion
•  excessive blinking
•  jaw chewing, clenching, or side-to-side movements
•  twisting or dancing fingers and toes

The uncontrollable movements of TD can impact patients physically, socially, and emotionally, including one’s ability to work, drive, button a shirt, or even hold a cup of coffee. People living with TD may also feel judged, ashamed, and misunderstood, and the disorder can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability, embarrassment, and frustration.

It’s important that people taking antipsychotic medication be monitored for drug-induced movement disorders, or DIMDs, such as TD. They should schedule regular, in-person appointments with their doctor for a physical assessment and visual exam.

On Wednesday, April 26th, Dr. Gus Alva, MD, DFAPA. will be available to discuss the physical, emotional, and social impact of TD and mental health issues. He’ll also talk about the signs and symptoms of TD. A patient advocacy representative will join the doctor and provide insight on the importance of raising awareness of TD in support of the mental health community.

Interview courtesy: Neurocrine Biosciences. Inc.

#tardivedyskinesia #td #involuntarymovementdisorder #health #mentalhealth #talkabouttd #neurocrinebiosciences #lipsmacking #jawchewing #dancingfingerstoes

The post LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THOSE WHO HAVE AN INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT DISORDER KNOWN AS TD May (1-7) is Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week appeared first on Good News!.

Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor caregivers across the US. In a study by the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 50% of 111 cancer caregivers reported feeling “highly stressed” due to the intense and demanding nature of caregiving, and there is growing evidence this could potentially affect the mental health of the patients as well.1,2

In particular, the mental health of patients with blood cancer, including those living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and their caregivers, can be impacted due to the physical, emotional and social effects of the disease.3,4

CLL is the most common leukemia in adults.5 It’s a type of cancer that starts in cells that become certain white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in the bone marrow. 5 The cancer (leukemia) cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood.5

As with other illnesses, COVID-19 has exacerbated the mental health impact of blood cancer on patients, as well as placing an added strain on caregivers. In a recent survey of 100 patients with blood cancer, 96% of patients reported their blood cancer has impacted their mental health since the start of the pandemic in 2020, and 72% of patients said they rely most on their family members to provide them with emotional support for their blood cancer.

Hematologist and oncologist Dr. Ken Miller of Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, who will discuss the impact of blood cancer, including CLL, on the mental and emotional health of both patients and caregivers, and share resources to help meet this important need.

http://understandbloodcancer.com/

This program is made possible by AstraZeneca.

Dr. Ken Miller is a hematologist and medical oncologist at the Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Miller has served as the Director of Outpatient Oncology and was a member of the Thoracic Oncology Group at the University of Maryland. He also previously served as the Director of the Yale Cancer Center’s survivorship clinic and the Director of the LiveStrong Survivorship Center of Excellence at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He has authored five books, including: Choices in Breast Cancer, Medical and Psychosocial Care of the Cancer Survivor, Excellent Care of Cancer Survivors, Global Cancer Care, and “The Breast Cancer Book”. Dr. Miller’s wife Joan is a two-time cancer survivor and together they have lectured nationally and internationally on the role of empathy in medicine. They have three children and four grandchildren.

#nationalcaregiversmonth #nationalfamilycaregiversmonth #nationalfamilycaregivers #nationalcaregivers #cancer #lendingsupport #patients #emotionaltoll #bloodcancer #health #physical #social #mental #leukemia #understandbloodcancer #kenmiller #drkenmiller #hematologist #oncologist #sinaihospital

The post November is National Family Caregivers Month, LENDING SUPPORT TO CANCER CAREGIVERS DURING NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH AND BEYOND appeared first on Good News!.

Connect @mommysheartfoundation

www.mommysheartfoundation.com

mommysheartinc@gmail.com

On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, actresses and child advocates Julianne Michelle and Tina Louise hosted The Inaugural Mommy’s Heart Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction from 6pm-8pm at the very beloved Upper East Side staple, Dorrian’s Red Hand. Jimmy and Danny Dorrian graciously donated all food and wine for the evening, which included a silent auction of film and TV walk-on roles, consultations, acting and speech lessons, gift baskets, holistic and wellness treatments and packages, and more, a video presentation, a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by Patrick Hale, a Mommy’s Heart hugs booth, and gift bags featuring CBD infused candles and hand sanitizers adorned with the Mommy’s Heart logo. The host committee included Michael Madsen, Sally Kirkland, Florence Anthony, Nellie Sciutto, Michael J. Golia, and Tabber Benedict. Advisory Board members include Micheline Lataliza Epstein, MD, MS, FAAFP, Samuel K. Kelley, MD, Michael J. Golia, MD, JD, Kris McDaniel-Miccio, JD, LLM, JS.D, Linnda Durré, Ph.D., Lorraine Silvetz, MSW, Amy Neustein, Ph.D., Donna West, ACS Specialist/Supervisor, Sally Kirkland, Michael Madsen, Tina Louise, Amy Carlson, Sean Stone, Rita Cosby, Valerie McCaffrey, Maggie Norris, Brook Altman, Alicia Jackson and Lauren Lawrence. Additional notable attendees included Jean Shafiroff, Myles Von Trapp Derbyshire, Joycelyn Engle and Joseph Di Palma, Edward Drengot Stroh, Barbara Tate, Leigh Held, Paige Bluhdorn, Douglas Dechert, Carolyn Ward, Heidi Leiser, Chanel Korby, Regina Kravitz, Adrienne Stern, Errol Rappaport, Natalie Merkel and Lisa Yom. Photographers for the evening included Michael Ostuni/PMC, Jeff Smith, and Jayden Bempong.

Lorraine Silvetz, MSW, Executive Director of Global Stress Initiative under the auspices of the International Committee Against Mental Illness (ICAMI) announced, during the evening, their donation to Mommy’s Heart for one client to receive a month’s treatment for PTSD utilizing their non-invasive protocol, individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS). This treatment, valued at over $12,000, is administered at a Global Stress Initiative clinic affiliate in Syosset, New York, five days a week, for 40 minutes each day and includes 3 EEGs or brain scans in the first month of treatment. In their experience, they’ve had 99% efficacy treating PTSD for the military, domestic violence and other survivors of trauma.

Julianne Michelle (Reeves Stroh), founder and executive director of Mommy’s Heart, stated: “There is a crisis happening, not just in this state or in this country, but around the globe. Family courts are seriously harming, and in other cases, killing innocent children when they move that child from a safe and loving mother into the hands of an abusive parent, ignoring documented histories of drug use and domestic violence. The status quo of denying fit parents their constitutional rights in family courts worldwide MUST stop, as one more death or injury of a child is one too many. A domestic violence survivor should not have to fear losing custody of her child in a retaliatory weaponization of the court system by her abusive ex if she calls 911 to escape a dangerous situation. This is a civil and human rights issue. It’s too late for child victims, Kyra Franchetti, Thomas Valva, and countless other children, who lost their lives to their abusive parent. We must take action now.”

To learn more how you can help, please visit www.mommysheartfoundation.com

Myles Von Trapp, Valerie Lettan, Julianne Michelle, Michael Golia, and Douglas Dechert

Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Jean Shafiroff and Julianne Michelle

Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Karla Bellotto, Paige Bluhdorn, and Denise Santomero

Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Leigh Held, Julianne Michelle, Michael Golia, Lorraine Silvetz, and Dr. Sam Kelley

Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Douglas Dechert, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Lorraine Silvetz, Heidi Leiser, Regina Kravitz, and Larry Chan
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Dr. Micheline Lataliza Epstein
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Tabber Benedict, Natalie Merkle, Kristin Ducharme, Chanel Korby, and Evette Jodie Stark
Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PM

Joycelyn Engle, Julianne Michelle, Sanaa Musvee, Dusty Burke, Dr. Micheline Lataliza Epstein, Eve Brookville, and Evette Jodie Stark
Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Maggie Norris, Valerie Lettan, Michael Golia, and Leo Rivera
Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Dr. Micheline Lataliza Epstein, Julianne Michelle, and Lisa Yom
Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Abe Shainberg, Rebecca Ricks, and Patrick Hale
Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Errol Rappaport and Natalie Krouser
Photo credit: Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Alicia Jackson and Julianne Michelle
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Julianne Michelle, Joseph Di Palma, and Joycelyn Engle
Photo credit: Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Karla Bellotto, Marcy Manfredonia, Paige Bluhdorn, and Barbara Tate
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Julianne Michelle and Danny Dorrian
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Lorraine Silvetz, Flora Pllumaj, Sara Johnson Kaplan, and Rebecca Ricks
Photo credit: Jeff Smith

Photo credit: Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

Photo credit: Photo credit: Michael Ostuni/PMC

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