October is National ADHD Awareness Month: Understanding the Connection Between ADHD and Mental Health | | |
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) can affect attention, organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation, making daily life in school, work, and relationships more challenging. Many individuals with ADHD also experience anxiety, depression, or sleep difficulties, and the effort to keep up or mask symptoms can take a toll on self-esteem. Without support, ADHD may lead to feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and isolation. While it is often identified in childhood, many adults live with ADHD tooâsometimes without a diagnosis until later in life. ADHD impacts people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, with symptoms sometimes presenting more subtly in women and girls. For adults, navigating workplace demands, managing households, and maintaining relationships can all be uniquely impacted by ADHD.
Counseling can make a meaningful difference for those living with ADHD. It provides tools for daily challenges, support for co-occurring conditions, and space to process emotions. Therapy also strengthens communication and relationships while helping individuals recognize and build on their unique strengths. At All Souls Counseling Center, we walk alongside clients to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
| | All Souls Counseling Center hosts the 3rd Annual Mental Health Matters 5K! | | | | đ¸ Photo Credit: Paul King | | |
On Saturday, September 20th, we held our 3rd Annual Mental Health Matters 5K: Walk/Run for Awareness at UNC Asheville!
This yearâs event brought together students, athletic teams, families, colleagues, and friends all walking and running in support of mental health. The event also featured a mental health resource fair featuring 30 local organizations. Weâre so grateful for the incredible energy and community spirit that made the day such a success.
A huge thank you goes out to our amazing volunteers, community partners, and our Presenting Sponsors Pisgah Investments Foundation and Novant Healthâyour support makes this event possible. We canât wait to see you again next year!
| | Highlighting Our September Outreach Efforts | | |
On Friday, September 19, Adam, Victoria, and Shawna attended the 1st Annual WNC Recovery Rally at Pack Square in Downtown Asheville. It was an inspiring gathering celebrating recovery and resilience.
On Thursday, September 25, Victoria, Ela, Meredith and Mary attended the Heroes for Helene event at Highland Brewing Company, where they were able to meet and take a photo with NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson. The turnout was incredible and the community came together to honor those who stepped up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
On Saturday, September 27, Victoria, Kylie and Elizabeth, represented ASCC at the Blue Ridge Pride Festival in Pack Square. All Souls Counseling is proud to stand as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and show up each year to ensure our services are welcoming and accessible to all.
| | ASCC September Board Retreat: Gathering to Connect, Grow and Inspire Hope | | |
On Friday, Sept. 12th, our passionate group of leaders for All Souls Counseling - board members and staff - participated in a retreat to discuss the future of our mission to provide mental health counseling and education in Western NC. This strategic planning time offered hope, inspiration and a renewed purpose for our impact across the region. It also served as a reminder that when things in our world feel really hard and seemingly out of our control, we can't go it alone. Being in partnership with others who seek positive change gives us the strength and courage to achieve great things.
Huge thanks to the very skilled facilitator, Allison Jordan of RiverStone Rising, for leading this important retreat.
| | ASCC in the News and on the Air! | | |
Weâre honored that All Souls Counseling Centerâs work has been highlighted in local news and media this month.
WXII News recently featured ASCC in their story, âCoping with the emotional and mental trauma of Helene one year later.â Meredith Switzer and Adam Lewis shared insights on the stormâs lasting impact and what healing can look like for our community.
BPR News also spotlighted ASCC in ââA great callousnessâ: The struggles of Ashevilleâs service industry post-Helene.â Executive Director Meredith Switzer spoke about supporting the mental health needs of Ashevilleâs food & beverage workers in the wake of Helene.
Meredith Switzer was also interviewed by WCNC Charlotte, where she highlighted ASCCâs work during the Duke Energy Foundation luncheon. Watch the interview here.
Adam Lewis was interviewed by Queen City News around the Anniversary of Hurricane Helene, sharing his perspective on the ongoing journey of recovery. Watch the interview here.
ASCC was also featured in Biltmore Living Magazine under the Nonprofit Spotlight, âCreating Space at the Table to Nourish Our Mental Health,â by Mary Waller, ASCC Development Director. The article highlights our new programs, such as community meals and therapy services for food and beverage workers. Read the article here.
đď¸ Soul Sessions Podcast
Stay connected with us! A new episode of Soul Sessions drops on the 15th of every month, bringing you tools, insights, and conversations to support your mental health and wellness journey.
| | World Mental Health Day: October 10th | | |
World Mental Health Day, observed each year on October 10, raises awareness about mental health, reduces stigma, and encourages people to seek support. Mental health affects every part of life, from relationships to work to overall well-being. This day reminds us that talking openly, seeking help, and supporting one another are all steps toward stronger, healthier communities.
Join us on October 10th at 6PM at Bear's Smokehouse BBQ in downtown Asheville for Hope on the Slope featuring a Dance Party! Get moving with Uphora's dance instructors, vibe out with DJ Lyric and celebrate community, music and mental health! All proceeds from the event will benefit Linked4Life, which support counseling for Asheville's food and beverage workers in partnership with All Souls Counseling Center.
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part¡âner¡âship (noun) /Ëpärt-nÉr-ship / the state of being a partner, usually collaborating closely toward a mutual interest
At All Souls Counseling, we think of our donors, supporters, grantors, and business sponsors as our partners in the important work we do meeting the mental health needs of under-resourced communities and populations. Sponsorships, grants, gifts, and in-kind support make it possible to provide quality mental health (MH) care to individuals or couples who might have financial or other barriers to therapy.
This month we give a special shout out to organizations who help us serve our Western North Carolina neighbors in need â as well as to lift conversations (and dispel the stigma) around the importance of seeking and receiving MH care â through our annual Mental Health Matters Walk/Run for Awareness. Proceeds from this amazing health-focused, family-friendly outdoor gathering of 350+ participants and representatives of local hospitals and caring agencies in our Resource Fair.
#1 Two incredible supporters â The Pisgah Investments Foundation and Novant Health â stepped up as Co-Presenting Sponsors. Their partnership with All Souls not only ensures we can provide an exceptional morning of connection, community resources, and a challenging walk/run course, they also help us raise critical unrestricted funds to fulfill and grow our mission of service in WNC. Thank you, Pisgah and Novant!
#2 Eight additional Sponsors supported this fun race and resource fair on the UNC Asheville campus. Our Sponsors include: The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolinaâs Recovery Team, MAHEC, Mission Health, The Pisgah Institute for Psychotherapy & Education, Pyramid Health, The Rotary Club of Asheville-Biltmore, Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness, and Vaya Health.
#3 Our fabulous in-kind supporters are Brueggerâs Bagels, Capstone Health, Ingles Grocery, The Neuroyogini/Rebekah Cummins, Papa Johnâs Pizza-Weaverville, Pepsi, and UNC Asheville.
#4 And our champions in helping us get the word out across WNC through interviews with our Executive Director, Meredith Switzer, are Asheville Media Group and WLOS TV13 â Spotlight Carolina.
THANK YOU to each and every one of these partners. We canât do this work without you!
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All Souls Counseling Center (ASCC) | 828-259-3369 | allsoulscounseling.org
ASCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (EIN: 56-2200862).
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