Did you know? Many people believe that voodoo dolls are instruments of harm, but this misconception stems from long-standing biases against African American culture and spirituality. The harmful image of a "voodoo doll" popularized in media is actually based on old European folk magic called "poppets," used for various types of sympathetic magic. In Louisiana Voodoo and Haitian Vodou traditions, dolls and other archetypes are only used to honor ancestors, invoke protection, and connect with spiritual guides—not to cause harm. It's essential to recognize and respect these deeply rooted cultural practices.

Did you know? The 2024 results of the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll show that U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%) — especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%). When asked about a list of lifestyle factors potentially impacting mental health, adults most commonly say stress (53%) and sleep (40%) have the biggest impact on their mental health. 

“Living in a world of constant news of global and local turmoil, some anxiety is natural and expected,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “But what stands out here is that Americans are reporting more anxious feelings than in past years. This increase may be due to the unprecedented exposure that we have to everything that happens in the world around us, or to an increased awareness and reporting of anxiety. Either way, if people have these feelings, they are not alone, and we can help.”

Let's craft some calm together!