Mind Over Monsters

An investigation into the mental health crisis affecting young adults today, and an impassioned argument for creating learning environments characterized both by compassion and challenge Alarming statistics in recent years indicate that mental health problems like depression and anxiety have been skyrocketing among youth. To identify solutions, psychologist and professor Sarah Rose Cavanagh interviews a roster of experts across the country who are dedicating their lives to working with young people to help them actualize their goals, and highlights voices of college students from a range of diverse backgrounds. Cavanagh also brings the reader on an invigorating tour of pedagogical, neuroscientific, and psychological research on mental health—one that involves her own personal journey from panic to equilibrium. The result of these combined sources of inquiry indicates that to support youth mental health, we must create what Cavanagh calls compassionate challenge—first, we need to cultivate learning and living environments characterized by compassion, and then, we need to guide our youth into practices that encourage challenge, helping them face their fears in an encouraging, safe, and even playful way. Mind over Monsters is a must-read for teachers, administrators, parents, and young people themselves.

Beatrice Alexander is no ordinary schoolteacher—she can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing skill she hasn't yet mastered or embraced. After nearly killing her brother by accident, she joins the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad, the Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals. This top-secret branch of the FBI combats ghosts, ghouls, and other monsters threatening humanity. With her teammates—among them a handsome former-detective werewolf and an annoying Don Juan vampire who's dead-set on seducing her—Beatrice investigates her first case. Disgustingly dismembered bodies have turned up, bearing bite marks of the undead. Someone—or something—is raising a horde of hideous, bloodthirsty zombies. Armed with Bette, her trusty machete, Beatrice takes on the master of the flesh-devouring corpses, who's guarding a horrifying secret... Featuring a team of monster hunters with unique paranormal abilities, the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series combines humor, suspense, and supernatural crime-fighting. Praise: "The most engaging detectives to face the walking dead since Scully and Mulder. Part urban fantasy, part police procedural, and entirely marvelous, monstrous fun."—Library Journal "If Donald Westlake had ever gotten around to writing a paranormal mystery, it would have sounded like this. Harlow's genre debut is funny, creepy and refreshingly brash."—Kirkus Reviews "Jennifer Harlow's debut novel had me laughing and gasping from start to finish!"—Victoria Laurie, New York Times bestselling author of the Ghost Hunter Mystery series and the Psychic Eye Mystery series "Wonderful! A gritty, dramatic police-procedural with a compelling heroine and a fascinating group of sidekicks. Looking forward to the sequel!"—Karen Chance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cassandra Palmer series "Mind Over Monsters is funny, scary, and creepy—and ridiculous amounts of fun!"—Kat Richardson, author of The Greywalker Novels "Mind Over Monsters is a non-stop rollercoaster ride that fans of urban fantasy will love! Fast-paced, fun, and wildly entertaining, Jennifer Harlow has given the paranormal police procedural a fresh spin with her loveable machete-wielding heroine. A quirky cast of characters and sharp writing make Mind Over Monsters a wholly wonderful debut. I can't wait to read more!"—Jeannie Holmes, author of Blood Law and Blood Secrets "With its breezy style and exuberant sense of fun, this monstery mystery is a total delight!"—Carolyn Crane, author of Mind Games and Double Cross "Wildly fun and funny, Harlow offers treats for every paranormal lover to relish, with plenty of action, thrills and laughter."—Leanna Renee Hieber, award-winning, bestselling author of The Strangely Beautiful series "In her funny, fast-paced debut, Jennifer Harlow gives us an urban fantasy that sharply blends murder-mystery and horror, and introduces us to a world where the monster in your closet really does exist. Using both humor and logic to help solve a grisly double-murder, reluctant heroine Beatrice Alexander is a woman you can (and do) root for as she struggles to control her powerful telekinetic gift and to find her place in this brave (and sometimes scary) new world."—Kelly Meding, author of Three Days to Dead

At the crossroads between The Shallows and Presence, Hivemind is a provocative look at how communities can sync up around shared ideas, and how this hive mentality is contributing to today's polarized times. Hivemind: A collective consciousness in which we share consensus thoughts, emotions, and opinions; a phenomenon whereby a group of people function as if with a single mind. Our views of the world are shaped by the stories told by our self-selected communities. Whether seeking out groups that share our tastes, our faith, our heritage, or other interests, since the dawn of time we have taken comfort in defining ourselves through our social groups. But what happens when we only socialize with our chosen group, to the point that we lose the ability to connect to people who don't share our passions? What happens when our tribes merely confirm our world view, rather than expand it? We have always been a remarkably social species-our moods, ideas, and even our perceptions of reality synchronize without our conscious awareness. The advent of social media and smartphones has amplified these tendencies in ways that spell both promise and peril. Our hiveish natures benefit us in countless ways-combatting the mental and physical costs of loneliness, connecting us with collaborators and supporters, and exposing us to entertainment and information beyond what we can find in our literal backyards. But of course, there are also looming risks-echo chambers, political polarization, and conspiracy theories that have already begun to have deadly consequences. Leading a narrative journey from the site of the Charlottesville riots to the boardrooms of Facebook, considering such diverse topics as zombies, neuroscience, and honeybees, psychologist and emotion regulation specialist Sarah Rose Cavanagh leaves no stone unturned in her quest to understand how social technology is reshaping the way we socialize. It's not possible to turn back the clocks, and Cavanagh argues that there's no need to; instead, she presents a fully examined and thoughtful call to cut through our online tribalism, dial back our moral panic about screens and mental health, and shore up our sense of community. With compelling storytelling and shocking research, Hivemind is a must-read for anyone hoping to make sense of the dissonance around us.

Every day we are bombarded with negative messages--from society, the media, and even from self-talk in our own minds. Take a minute to think about these questions: Do you lack peace because of your perspective? Do you focus on the problems around you? Do you have trouble recognizing the good things in your life? Do you feel despair or depression, despite your blessings? Answering yes to questions like these is evidence of mind monsters. Mind monsters are those negative thoughts we all battle, the creeping shadows in the corners of our minds that feed our insecurities, worries, and fears. They will steal your life...if you let them. But there is good news! You can take control. In Mind Monsters Kevin Gerald shows you how to recognize destructive thoughts, take them captive, and use biblical truths to overcome them. Today you have a choice: Will you allow your mind monsters to take up residence, affecting who you are and God’s plan for your life, or will you conquer them and experience a life that is positive, abundant, joyful, and overflowing with peace?

"One day monsters invade Wally's small town and chaos ensues! Vampires scare kids at the park. Zombies knock over lamposts. Werewolves chase the mail carrier. These loud and clumsy monsters are certainly hard to ignore! When nothing else seems to work, Wally decides he must do something. But can one young boy save the town?"--Book jacket.

Look out, children, here they come bringing pandemonium! Lock doors and windows, run and hide. Do not let these creeps inside! Monsters invade a home and demonstrate all kinds of rude and inconsiderate behavior.

Informed by psychology and neuroscience, Cavanagh argues that in order to capture students' attention, harness their working memory, bolster their long-term retention, and enhance their motivation, educators should consider the emotional impact of their teaching style and course design.

A mindfulness app's suggestion that Lena and her anxious classmates face their fears becomes all too literal when monsters start appearing in the gym, but in order to save the school from being swarmed, they must first overcome their worriment.