June 2026
Happy June from Inspire Behavioral Health! We offer high quality and compassionate care to people living in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia both virtually and in-person with offices in Vienna, Fairfax, Sterling and Bethesda. Experienced and dedicated psychiatrists and psychotherapists at Inspire strongly believe that we all have solutions within us and that it is a matter of learning how to tap into these solutions so that we can enhance the lives we live. Providers at Inspire Behavioral Health help people heal by allowing them to focus on their strengths and harness their available resources while treating symptoms and encouraging more effective techniques for coping with life’s struggles and building resilience to help maintain mental health. Call us for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our providers at 703-592-4600. Please visit our website:www.InspireBehavioralHealth.com. And, on behalf of Inspire Behavioral Health, Happy Men’s Health Month, Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and Happy Father’s Day! Please consider celebrating this special month by investing in your mental health today and calling us to schedule an appointment. Happy June!
So Many June Celebrations!
There are several special days, remembrances, awareness themes and celebrations in June. The ones that seem to gain the most attention include Men’s Health Month and Gay Pride Month! There PTSD Awareness Month, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, the remembrance of D-Day, Flag Day and the first day of summer.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac calendar highlights individual holidays which include:
- June 5 is World Environment Day, a day meant to raise environmental awareness across the globe.
- June 29 is this month’s Full Moon, the June Strawberry Moon.
- June 14 is Flag Day (U.S.). Be sure to proudly raise our American flag!
- June 21 is Father’s Day this year. Celebrate and remember our dads!
- June 19 is Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day). On this day in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud in Galveston, Texas, effectively liberating enslaved people in the state, which had thus far been beyond control of the Union Army.
- June 21 is the summer solstice, which heralds the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the day with the most hours of daylight. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter begins at this time.
- June 24 brings Midsummer Day. Traditionally, this was the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting. It is celebrated in many cultures on the night of June 23, as Midsummer’s Eve! It is also called St. John the Baptist Day, the birthday of the forerunner of Jesus.
- June 28 is the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots—a watershed moment for Gay and Lesbian rights in the United States.
Men’s Health Month
There is often a strong focus on men’s physical health — fitness, annual checkups, and heart health — but mental well-being is equally as important because mental health is health!
Just as the body needs care and attention, so does emotional and mental well-being. Yet, there is a silent crisis in men’s mental health — one that too often goes unnoticed or unspoken. Tragically, men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women, underscoring the urgent need to break this silence and seek support.
Men and Mental Health
It is important to remember that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call, chat or text 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Remember your insurance covers mental health and Medicare covers many mental health services to support you.
June is National Men’s Health Month, a time to remind men of the health issues we face and what we can do to take charge of our health. Men are significantly less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a health care provider. Only sixty percent of men go to the doctor for a yearly, routine check-up, and forty percent of men do not go until something is seriously wrong. Despite the statistics, twenty percent of men report they only go to see the doctor so their significant other or a loved one “will stop nagging them.”
Small steps can lead to significant change, changes that we all can lead together. Let us build a culture where men and boys feel safe speaking up and reaching out. As a community, we can break the stigma, support one another, and ensure no one struggles in silence.
How Can You Help?
- Start a conversation:A simple conversation can spark transformation. Whether a father, brother, uncle, son, friend, or colleague, check-in with the men in your life.
- Share resources:Help normalize seeking help by sharing information about mental health support services such as Inspire Behavioral Health, national hotlines, and local organizations. Let others know support is available and that it helps.
- Create safe spaces:Encourage environments; at home, work, school, barbershop, gym, church, or in the community — where men feel comfortable opening up without judgment. Sometimes, just knowing it is okay to open-up, makes all the difference.
In need of help or support?
You are not alone! If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, Inspire Behavioral Health is here for you. Connect with us by calling 703-592-4600 to make an appointment to see one of our caring providers today. Consider joining our Men’s Group!
Here are some other important facts about men’s health to know:
- The overall mortality rate is 41 percent higher for men than women, and it’s higher for men for 8 out of 10 leading causes of death—including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
- 31 percent of men suffer depression in their lifetime and 9 percent of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety. But only 1/4 talk to a mental health professional, and only 1/3 take the medication they were prescribed. Pay attention to signs of depression and don’t be afraid to seek help.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States. A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother or son had it. Talk to your doctor about having your PSA and DRE levels checked.
- Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 30 million men of all ages across the United States. If you’re having problems, see a urologist and make sure it’s not an early warning sign for something more serious, like heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood sugar. If there is no organic reason found, then see a psychotherapist for help.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program, is home to a lifestyle change program because American Men on average have a higher incidence of Type 2 Diabetes than women, and nearly thirty-seven percent of men have prediabetes.
General upkeep with a car, like keeping the gas tank full and air in the tires is a must. Did you know that “general upkeep,” that is, certain healthy living tips could make an impact on male urologic health? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Drink Water. Just as cars need oil, your body needs water. Drinking six or more cups of water daily may prevent painful kidney stones.
- Get Exercise. Cars that sit idle may fail over time; this is also true of our bodies. A healthy heart can lead to a healthy urologic system, so try for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five or more days a week.
- Reduce and learn to manage Stress. You would not let your car engine “rev” all day, and so you should not do that with your body. Try to de-stress. Even relaxing for just 10 minutes a day can lower blood pressure, which may help improve erectile dysfunction.
- Eat Healthy. You would not put dirty fuel into a car, so consider what you put in your body. Caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can irritate your bladder, and red meat and high-fat diets can increase the risk of kidney stones and prostate cancer. Try for “high-octane” foods like fruits, vegetables and fiber.
- Do not smoke and if you do, stop. If an engine smokes, it’s bad news, the same is true for our bodies too. There are many urologic conditions impacted by smoking including bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, infertility, kidney cancer, kidney stones, painful bladder syndrome and urine leakage.
What are the symptoms of mental disorders in men?
Men and women can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions, but they may experience different symptoms. Some common symptoms include:
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
- Increased worry or feeling stressed
- Misuse of alcohol, drugs, or both
- Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
- Engaging in high-risk activities
- Aches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
- Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
- Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Feeling lost and without direction
Mental disorders can be treated:
A primary care provider is a good place to start if you’re looking for help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist, who can help you figure out next steps.
How to Find a Counselor
Once you decide to get professional health for a personal struggle, whether it is anxiety, depression, grief, a mood disorder, an addiction, sexual or relationship issue, finding the right type of provider and service can be daunting. We can help because Inspire Behavioral Health is home to many caring professionals, and we are confident you will find the provider who specializes in addressing your particular issues. Please visit our website to read about our providers and their expertise. If you are in a rural area, you may have difficulty finding a mental health professional nearby, so remember that all of our clinicians are available to you virtually.
Substance Use and Addiction
Men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs, and illicit drug use is more likely to result in emergency department visits or overdose deaths for men than for women. “Illicit” refers to use of illegal drugs, including marijuana (according to federal law) and misuse of prescription drugs. For most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than do women.
Inspire Behavioral Health also offers a full range of services for people struggling with substance use and process additions with medications assisted therapy such as Suboxone as well as Naltrexone and other anti-craving drugs, along with individual, couple, family and group therapy. Nearly eight million adults in the United States experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, in fact, of adults with a mental health diagnosis nearly twenty percent also have a substance issue and of adults diagnosed with a substance use disorder, nearly forty precent also have a mental health issue. Many of our providers offer treatment for both issues concurrently. Patterns of substance use among MSM (men who have sex with Men) vary depending on demographic factors, substance type, and MSM subgroup. Bisexual men have higher rates of substance use than other subgroups of MSM. Methamphetamine use is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and HIV transmission. Call us to talk about making healthy choices.
LGBTQIA+ PRIDE
Happy Gay Pride Month from Inspire Behavioral Health! This June, we come together to honor the resilience, diversity, and joy of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s a time to reflect on how far we have come, recognize the work still to be done, and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes this community so unique.
Pride Month is a time to express yourself boldly and colorfully. Whether you’re coming out, waving a rainbow flag, wearing your favorite Pride gear, or simply being your authentic self, remember that your presence and support make a difference. Let’s come together to celebrate love, diversity, and the progress that has been made.
The original Pride flag created by Gobert Baker (1978; revised 1979) is a symbol of LGBT pride and resilience, with each color representing a unique aspect of the community’s values and experiences.
- Red: Life. Red represents the vitality and life force of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Orange: Healing. Orange symbolizes healing power and efforts to overcome discrimination and adversity.
- Yellow: Sunlight. Yellow stands for the light and warmth that we bring into the world.
- Green: Nature. Green highlights the connection to the natural world and the importance of environmental sustainability.
- Blue: Harmony. Blue signifies peace and harmony within the community and with the world.
- Purple: Spirit. Purple represents the spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community, embodying strength, pride, and a commitment to equality
From all of us at Inspire Behavioral Health, we wish you a joyous and empowering Pride Month. We can’t wait to celebrate with you the many events throughout the region and throughout the month. Please consider talking with one of our gay-affirming therapists to help you to celebrate your true and authentic self.
Father's Day
Father’s Day is a holiday honoring one’s father, or father figure, living or deceased, as well as the importance of fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. The single most common date among world countries is the third Sunday of June, which was founded in the state of Washington, United States by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. Happy Father’s Day to all men who are grandads, dads, step-dads, foster dads, and mentors. We also send our heartfelt support to all those who grieve the loss of a dad, and celebrate those who are brand new dads this year!
Flag Day
Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the Unites States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Flag Day was first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side of the American Civil War. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day. [On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress. On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale. New York Consolidated Laws designate the second Sunday in June as Flag Day, a state holiday.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Federal leaves it to the discretion of the President to officially proclaim the observance.
On Aug. 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one agency, the Department of Defense.
In a speech announcing the creation of the day, President Truman “praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas.” He said, “It is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace.”
In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Truman stated:
“Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, toward the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense.”deo
Armed Forces Day Themes
The very first theme of Armed Forces Day was “Teamed for Defense.”
Over the years, other themes have included Appreciation of a Nation; Arsenal of Freedom and Democracy; Dedication and Devotion; Deter if Possible, Fight if Necessary; Freedom; Freedom Through Unity; Guardians of Peace; Lasting Peace; Liberty; and Patriotism.
How to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. In Washington, D.C., 10,000 troops of all branches of the military, cadets and veterans marched past the president and his party. In Berlin, 1,000 U.S. troops paraded for the German citizens at Tempelhof Airfield. In New York City, an estimated 33,000 participants initiated Armed Forces Day “under an air cover of 250 military planes of all types.”
Today, Armed Forces Day is celebrated in American communities and on military bases throughout the world with parades, picnics, shopping discounts, festivals and parties.
D-Day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day (after the military term), it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations for the Allied victory on the Western Front. We remember this day with deep pride and gratitude.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is afederal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th, to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau (blend-word) of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War.
PTSD Awareness Month and Day
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone. About 1 out of every 20 adults in the U.S. (or 5% of Americans) has PTSD in any given year. Even though PTSD treatments work, most people who have PTSD don’t get the help they need. June is PTSD Awareness Month. Help us spread the word that PTSD treatment works. Everyone with PTSD—whether they are Veterans or civilians who experienced sexual violence, a serious accident, a disaster event, or other traumatic event—needs to know that effective treatments can reduce symptoms and lead to a better quality of life.
National PTSD Awareness Day (National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day) was officially designated in 2010 by the United States Senate with Senate Resolution 541 of the 111th Congress dedicated to creating awareness regarding PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It was acknowledged annually as June 27. In 2013, the Senate designated the whole month of June as PTSD Awareness Month. In the US, 6.8% of adults will experience PTSD in their lifetimes, with women twice as likely as men to experience it (10.4% to 5%) frequently as a result of sexual trauma. Veterans are another group highly likely to experience PTSD during their lives, with Vietnam War veterans at 30%, Gulf War veterans at 10%, and Iraq War veterans at 14%.
On this day, organizations that work with employees, consumers, and patients at risk for the condition work to get information about symptoms and treatments for it out to the public in the hopes that when more people know about the disease, more people who suffer from it will get treatment. The US Department of Defense is one of the major organizations involved.
The Summer Solstice
The June solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 A.M. EDT.
This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year.
What Is Your Story? How can we help you build a life worth Living?
Remember, taking care of your mental health isn’t a luxury – it is a necessity. Inspire Behavioral Health is here to help you improve your mental health, maintain your emotional wellbeing, manage stress and address any concerns you may have.
Remember that help available if you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use issue, and now is the time to get the help you or they need. Please call us at Inspire Behavioral Health to schedule an appointment to talk with one of our clinicians.
Let Us Help
Clinicians at Inspire Behavioral Health are here to help by joining you on the journey toward mental health and recovery from addictions. May of our providers are trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT, and others are trained and credentialed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT, Rational Emotive Therapy or RET, and many others, all with one goal in mind, to help you.
Our licensed professionals can help you to identify what seem like the dialectical or opposite sides of our thinking and feeling so that you can emerge more integrated and whole. You can come to understand how feelings can inform thoughts and vice versa rather than being controlled by intense emotions, irrational feelings, intrusive thoughts, cravings or triggers. We can help you with talk therapy, testing and medication (if clinically indicated) to live a life worth living and learn to thrive in your day-to-day life. Imagine living a more meaningful and rewarding life, communicating more effectively with others and enhancing your interpersonal relationships. Let us help you build that life, become more compassionate and strengthen your empathy by calling Inspire Behavioral Health for an appointment today. You can help yourself and when you are ready, begin to support the longevity, health, and well-being of all members of our society.
How to Find a Counselor
Once you decide to get professional health for a personal struggle, whether it is about anxiety, depression, grief, a mood disorder, an addiction to a substance or a behavior that has become out of control, a relationship issue, your sexual identity or a behavioral issue, or something else, finding the right type of provider and service can be daunting. Where do you start? Inspire Behavioral Health can help because we are home to many caring professionals with a variety of specialties. We are confident you will find the provider who has the experience to addressing your particular issues and unique circumstances. Please visit our website to read our providers’ biographies, areas of expertise and their perspectives on how to help you. If you are in a rural area, you may have difficulty finding a mental health professional nearby, so remember that all of our clinicians are available to you virtually.
Men’s Education and Therapy Group
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a compassionate type of behavioral therapy that is intended to help people move toward a more mindful, aware and purposeful life. Learn the four pillars of DBT which are Core Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotional Regulation and Distress Tolerance. When you learn these four pillars and their accompanying skills and you will have to tools you need to build a “life worth living.” Men in this group offered at Inspire Behavioral Health and led by Psychotherapist, Ed Andrews, are taught the basic skills necessary to help manage life’s stressors and manage your physical health. This is done in a framework that helps people understand that we are doing the best we can while recognizing that there are new strategies you can learn that will be more effective than what are you doing now. This group is a safe, confidential place for men who are sustaining their recovery from substance (alcohol or drugs) and/or process (pornography, internet or gambling) addictions, or coping with chronic illness such as Prostate or other cancers. aging, managing stress, anxiety and/or depression, accommodating change in their lives, coping with loss and transition, dealing with sexual issues including ED, and seeking support and growth. This is a place where men can explore their grief, talk about their role as a dad or new dad, and how aging and growth can mix.
Please contact us for more information about this important group. Call Ed Andrews for more information about this program.
Thank you for being part of Inspire Behavioral Health, we appreciate you and wish you a happy June!
Office Location: Vienna: 2110 Gallows Road Suite D, Vienna, VA 22182 Fairfax: 11211 Waples Mill Road Suite 150, Fairfax, VA 22030 Washington, DC: 3000 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 137, Washington, DC 20008 Sterling: 46090 Lake Center Plaza, Suite 103-104, Sterling, VA 20165 Bethesda: 6203 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Ed Andrews, LPC, LMFT, Newsletter Editor 703-592-4600 info@inspirebehavioralhealth.com