Kanter Center Newsletter
February 2026
-Supporting growth, connection, and emotional well-being one season at a time-
To Our Community
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February can be a tender month. The excitement of the new year has settled, winter feels long, and many people- children, teens, and adults alike notice shifts in mood, energy, and motivation. At the Kanter Center, we see this as an important moment to pause, check in, and offer gentle support.
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This month’s themes reflect what we hear from our community. The need for warmth, clarity, and connection during a time that can feel both quiet and heavy.
Winter Mood Changes and Seasonal Affective Experiences:
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As daylight remains limited, many individuals experience:
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Lower energy
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Difficulty focusing
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Irritability or emotional flatness
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Changes in sleep or appetite
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A sense of “pushing through” the days
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At the Kanter Center, we normalize these experiences. They are common, understandable, and treatable. Supportive practices we encourage are things such as:
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Morning light exposure or light therapy
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Predictable routines that reduce decision fatigue
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Gentle movement and sensory grounding
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Small, meaningful social interactions
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Reaching out when things feel heavier than usual
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No one is expected to navigate winter alone.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week:
Late February brings an important opportunity to increase understanding and reduce stigma around eating disorders. These concerns affect people across all identities, ages, and body types. Early support makes a difference. At the Kanter Center, we emphasize:
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Compassion over criticism
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Curiosity over assumptions
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Conversations that focus on feelings, not appearance
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Culturally responsive care that honors each person’s lived experience
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If you or someone you care about is struggling with food, body image, or shame, we are here to help with sensitivity and respect.
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Relationships, Connection, and Emotional Safety:
February often brings attention to relationships. Romantic, familial, and social. For some, this is a time of closeness. For others it can highlight loneliness, conflict, or unmet needs. Our guiding principles for healthy connection are:
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Emotional safety is foundational
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Boundaries protect relationships, not threaten them
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Repair builds trust more than perfection ever could
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Small, consistent gestures matter
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For children and teens, this month can also stir social pressures or worries about belonging. We support families in creating open, shame free conversations that help young people feel seen and understood.
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Black History Month: Honoring Strength, Story, and Healing:
February is a time to celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and contributions of Black communities and to acknowledge the ongoing impact of systemic inequities on mental health. At the Kanter Center, we are committed to:
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Providing culturally responsive, identity affirming care
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Listening deeply to lived experiences
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Supporting healing practices rooted in community, culture, and connection
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Advocating for accessible, equitable mental health support
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Mental health equity is not a theme, it is a responsibility
Gentle Practices for a Grounded February:
We encourage our community to try one or two of these small sustainable practices:
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Name one feeling each day without judgement
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Create a moment of warmth, a candle, a blanket, a favorite song
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Plan one thing to look forward to each week
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Mave your body in a way that feels kind
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Reach out, connection is protective
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These practices are not about productivity, they are about care
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