Licensed clinical social worker Lia Avellino explores the concept of the "mother wound," a term popularized by Bethany Webster to describe generational trauma passed from mothers to children. Avellino suggests that this issue is better termed the "patriarchal wound" to highlight societal influences rather than blame mothers. She offers steps for healing, including recognizing internalized beliefs, expressing anger and empowering oneself and one's children.

Insomnia and sleep deprivation are becoming recognized as a public health emergency in the US, with chronic insomnia affecting approximately 12% of Americans, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The impact extends beyond sleep difficulties, contributing to daytime fatigue, low motivation, depression, anxiety and increased vulnerability to illness, experts say, adding that cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment.

Illinois has banned the use of AI in mental health and therapeutic decision making without oversight from licensed clinicians under the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, which allows AI for administrative support and aims to protect patients from unregulated AI and preserve jobs for professionals. Other states, including Nevada and Utah, have enacted similar laws, while others are considering legislation to regulate AI in behavioral health care and patient communications.

The CMS will be sending lists to states each month identifying Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program enrollees "whose citizenship or immigration status could not be confirmed through federal databases," according to a CMS news release. The CMS has instructed state program administrators to verify the citizenship or immigration status of people on the list and adjust coverage or disenroll ineligible people.

Empathy is more than a soft skill leaders ought to have; it is a strategic asset that can help you connect authentically and build trust within your teams, writes LaRae Quy, who recommends creating an "empathy protocol" to define empathy, encourage active listening and establish healthy boundaries. "Empathy requires us to gain the perspective of a person who may be quite different from us. It means we become the learner as we listen," Quy writes.

Imagine you've lost your biggest client to a competitor, which has reduced your annual revenue by 10%. What do you do next? This is one of the scenarios Angus Fletcher, a professor and the director of the Fisher College of Business Leadership Initiative at Ohio State University, recommends using with your leaders to incorporate tactics used by the U.S. Army Special Operations to train soldiers how to handle volatile situations. Fletcher outlines how to use immersive training with executives to hone their skills and help them overcome fear, hesitation and self-doubt when a crisis arises.