Memory, emotion, learning, thought, and even unconscious dreams and desires all combine to create the ongoing mental activity and functioning that takes place in our brains, and which forms the basis for how we act in and interact with the world around us. In order to be at your best, it’s important that you know as much as possible about the way your mind works, and to be able to focus on issues that are keeping you from achieving your goals, including learning how to speed read. Physical health, emotional stability, and mental acuity are the three aspects of the mind that need to be in top form for optimal cognitive functions, and the way to keep functioning at your peak, you need to be able to recognize when something is out of balance. Jeanne and Robert Segal’s website, Helpguide.org, provides the tools you need to create and keep this balance, to identify and solve problems, and to focus your efforts on doing and being your best. We interviewed the Segals to find out more about the information the website provides.

UM: You started this website to provide a mental health resource that focused on issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress, but today the site also links to information on a wide range of topics, from weight loss to what it’s like being a grandparent, explanations about dementia, and even how to stop snoring! What led to the growth of the website into so many areas relating to physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being?

JS/RS: Helpguide’s wide range of topics are interrelated in that all intend help people reduce stress and foster wellbeing. Some form of stress is at the root of the imbalance in most people’s lives and stress is something you can usually take steps to relieve. Also, many people don’t realize the impact of seemingly unrelated subjects such as making good food choices, and improving relationships with loved ones can have on their mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being.

UM: One thing we really like about your website is that it emphasizes the relationship between the mind and body and emotions, and how problems in one area can affect the others. Where is a good place to start if a person feels like something is out of balance in their life?

JS/RS: This question of what you do when life throws you a curve ball gets to the heart of most people’s problems. The best place to start is to find someone who’s interested in you that you can talk to face-to-face. Many people today do their communicating via a screen; this doesn’t work for reducing stress. You need a real face to look at, sometimes even your pet’s face helps. In addition, Helpguide provides a number of skills for better stress management.

UM: The association you have with the Harvard Medical School and Harvard Health Publications provide an important source of information that people can trust on topics like addiction, stress, and diet. Do you collaborate with any other professional groups?

JS/RS: We’re open to other collaborations, but the collaboration needs to provide a strong value added to our international audience. Harvard has a well-deserved international reputation for medical excellence.

UM: Although a good memory is important at any age, it’s especially important for people who are in their 50s and older to keep watch for any problems with their memory, especially since memory difficulties can be a signal that there might be other cognitive issues due to age or disease. What’s a good resource for people who are worried about age-related memory loss?

JS/RS: The best to start is taking advantage of the MCI / Alzheimer’s questionnaire that is in our Age-Related Memory Loss article. This tool helps assess the severity of a memory problem. If there is a problem, the article is a good starting point for taking action and getting help.

UM: You’ve got a place on your site for people to provide and publish feedback and commentary on the resources you offer. If there’s a particular issue that people would like more information on, can they request that it be added to the site?

JS/RS: Yes, we personally read all comments and suggestions. Many of our site updates have been initiated by these comments and suggestions.