Linebacker Max McDonald is back on the Colorado State University field this spring, a development he owes to his decision to step away from football for most of 2018 to concentrate on dealing with anxiety. "There is a stigma out there in society [that] you've got to be a man and be tough and shut up about it," says McDonald, who encourages people with mental health challenges to seek help.

Children who eat breakfast regularly with their parents significantly increase their likelihood of having a positive body image, a study from the University of Missouri-Columbia indicates. "Having a healthy relationship with food from eating breakfast and spending meal time with family might have a significant impact on well-being," says social work assistant professor Virginia Ramseyer Winter.

Social workers have a long history of applying science to their own efforts and contributing scientific discoveries to other fields as well, writes Jeane Anastas, New York University professor of social work. She cites among many examples the surveys conducted by Jane Addams of Hull House and the Assertive Community Treatment model of psychiatric aftercare developed by Mary Ann Tate.

Welfare officials and mental health providers throughout California have joined foster parents and advocates in asking the state to create a hotline service for caregivers in crisis. Currently, proponents say, there are two unsatisfactory alternatives: going it alone and calling 911.

A bill introduced by a bipartisan foursome of senators proposes several measures, including hiring more VA mental health workers, using alternative therapies and improving rural veterans' access to care, to try to reduce the rate of veteran deaths by suicide. The bill is named in memory of Cmdr. John Scott Hannon.

The death of a 7-year-old boy at the hands of his parents has led to a bill before the Kansas legislature stiffening reporting requirements for child abuse. Among other provisions, Adrian's Law, named for Adrian Jones, would permit investigators of abuse claims to force parents to show them the children in question.

People are less likely to get defensive about mistakes if you approach them in private and commiserate before explaining what they did wrong, writes Art Markman, professor of psychology and marketing. Make sure you're addressing actual errors instead of pet peeves, and reciprocate with grace when it's your turn for correction.

Anger or other strong emotions are often perceived as inherently negative especially at work, writes Lisa Kohn, but it is important to consider why you feel angry and how to resolve these feelings. One of the best ways to communicate anger and frustration is to practice "radical acceptance" -- allowing the present moment to sink in and decide how to move forward.

Mark your calendars for the NASW 2019 Virtual Forum -- Trauma Through the Social Work Lens -- Wednesday and Thursday, June 19 & 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST). This program will address the issue of trauma from a social work perspective, feature both plenary and breakout sessions, and offer CE credits. Live streamed from the NASW National Office, you will be able to view it from your home, your office, or even on a mobile device. More information coming soon!

Please join NASW in a Twitter chat hosted by the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA) on March 25 at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss the importance of social work in caring for older adults. This Social Work Month event is part of EWA's "Together We Care" campaign, which marks the 10-year anniversary of the release of the Institute of Medicine report Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce. The hashtags for the Twitter chat will be #TogetherWeCare and #ElevateSocialWork.