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NEWS & NOTES

WATCHING SPORTS, ESPECIALLY LIVE, CAN BE A MENTAL HEALTH WIN Psychologist Helen Keyes of Anglia Ruskin University examined survey responses from thousands of par ticipants to explore the relationship between sports fandom and over all well-being. Her research found that attending live sporting events was associated with greater life sat isfaction and reduced feelings of loneliness. In fact, the positive influ ence of attending games on life satisfaction exceeded the bene fit associated with being employed. Additional research has shown that

even watching sporting events on television can enhance life satisfac tion. The findings also indicated that the well-being benefits of attending live events were consistent regardless of the level of competition, extending from professional contests to local amateur games. 1 DOES FREQUENT WORSHIP LEAD TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH? Several leading U.S. mental health organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America, recog nize that religious faith can play a meaningful role in supporting men

tal well-being. NAMI notes that faith often provides individuals with a sense of purpose, stability, and community by connecting them with others who share their beliefs. Research also suggests that religious involvement is associated with lower rates of suicide, alcohol misuse, and substance abuse. 2 BABIES BORN TO UNWED MOTHERS NOT DECLINING Although some indicators point to improved family stability—such as a growing share of births to married women with college degrees—the overall percentage of children born

THESE TRENDS, FACTS, AND EMERGING REALITIES ARE INFLUENCING YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS’ WORLD TODAY!

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