The Durango Herald

recent columns

• May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

By Liza Fischer

Axis Health Systems

On April 30, President Barack Obama proclaimed May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Obama called on citizens, government agencies, organizations, health-care providers and research institutions to raise mental-health awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier...

• Discrimination can lead to exclusion from life events

Marriage between same-sex partners has had much attention in the media through the years, yet a couple in Manorville, Long Island, would say there’s another group of people whose right to marry is under question.

Paul Forziano and Hava Samuels were married in April. Even after their marriage, they cannot live together. Why? Because...

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  Care Team of the Southwest teaches residents to self-manage

Juan Romero is a fourth-generation Southwest Coloradoan who proudly traces his family history back to the 1500s.

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  Simple formula can lead to extraordinary success

I would like to introduce you to Principal El.

Chances are you don’t him because his current school is in Wilmington, Del. However, you probably know other educators who follow his recipe for success: a positive vision plus hard work. Salome Thomas-El produces great strides in student achievement using those simple ingredients.

• Early identification, treatment are key to treating depression

With the coming of the “Four Corners dust swap” as a friend likes to call the powerful wind storms we get this time of year, it’s clear that spring is in the air. Anecdotal reports of “muddy rain” in Durango posted to social media last week also confirmed it.

Flying mud aside, spring is widely...

• Colorado expands options for community living

In 1999, a historic Supreme Court decision paved the way for people with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting.

• Public health week celebrates the value of prevention efforts

It’s hard to believe that something exists if we can’t see it. How does one explain the benefit of something that didn’t happen – much less actually quantify it? No, I’m not talking physics or philosophy here – I’m talking public health and one of its major components: prevention. Preventing diseases from happening, preventing injuries from...

• Want to try something new? We’ve got the 2-1-1

By Lynn Urban
Special to the Herald
When was the last time you tried something new by choice? A new path to walk the dog, a new restaurant? New doesn’t have to mean scary or difficult, it is often something good.

• Ready, motivated for a life transition? Help is available

Why are some transitions so difficult? Changing jobs and relationships are high on the list in terms of stress, and moving to a new location can be a complete bear. I know I’m not alone in my dislike of this activity.
On the other hand, some transitions can be amazing, such as graduation from high school.

• Questions about autism? New support group may help

A virtue of Southwest Colorado is the variety of opportunities to get involved in our communities. We seem to have as many activities, events and groups as many communities five times our size.
Yet when Jeff Newman moved to Durango last summer, he found one opportunity that was missing and set forth to create it.