Mental Health and Wellness. – JRM Nurse Consultants

October 10 2025

Hormones, Mood, and Suicide: What Women Need to Know

Midlife is a period of profound change for women, and it’s also a time when mental health challenges can increase. Research shows that women aged 45–64 have some of the highest suicide rates among females. This period often coincides with menopause, a time of major hormonal changes that can affect mood, energy, and overall well-being.

Understanding the connection between hormones, mood, and suicide risk is essential for women, their families, and healthcare providers.

Hormonal Changes and Mental Health

During perimenopause and menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone shift dramatically. These hormones not only affect reproductive health—they also influence brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood, motivation, and calm.

When estrogen and progesterone drop, women may experience:

Anxiety and irritability
Persistent sadness or low mood
Brain fog or memory difficulties
Sleep disturbances and fatigue

These changes can increase vulnerability to depression and, in severe cases, thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

What the Research Shows

Several recent studies highlight the connection between menopause, hormonal changes, and increased risk of suicide:

Age at Menopause and Suicide Risk
A 2024 study of over 1.3 million postmenopausal women found that women who went through menopause at younger ages—especially before 40—had a significantly higher risk of suicide. (Frontiers in Psychiatry, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1442991)
Menopause and Suicide: A Review
A 2025 review of 19 studies reported that most women experience an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or feelings during menopause, especially during perimenopause. Hormonal changes, existing mental health conditions, physical symptoms, and limited social support were key factors. (ResearchGate, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.39635.97155)
Midlife Women at Risk
Another 2025 study emphasized that women in midlife, particularly during perimenopause, are at an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts due to hormonal fluctuations affecting mental health. (SAGE Journals, DOI: 10.1177/17455057251338941)

Risk Factors to Watch For

Hormonal Changes: Drops in estrogen and progesterone can affect mood.
Existing Mental Health Conditions: Depression or anxiety may worsen.
Physical Symptoms: Hot flashes, sleep problems, and fatigue can add stress.
Social Isolation: Feeling alone or lacking support can increase risk.
Life Stressors: Work, caregiving, or relationship challenges.

How Women Can Protect Their Mental Health

Even if insurance doesn’t cover it, investing in your health is essential. Strategies include:

Hormone Support: Discuss options with a healthcare provider, including hormone therapy if appropriate.
Functional Medicine: Labs and lifestyle strategies to address underlying imbalances.
Mental Health Care: Therapy or counseling for emotional support.
Healthy Habits: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and good sleep routines.
Social Support: Maintain strong friendships and support networks.

When to Seek Help

If you experience persistent sadness, anxiety, sleep problems, or thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help immediately.

In the U.S., you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24/7 for free, confidential support.

Conclusion

Menopause is a natural phase of life, but it comes with real mental health challenges. Hormonal changes, combined with life stressors, can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts in women aged 45–64.

Awareness, early intervention, and supportive care—through conventional or functional medicine—can make a profound difference. Women deserve to feel seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of their mental and emotional health during midlife.

Take Action Today:

Track your mood, sleep, and energy.
Discuss hormonal and mental health concerns with your healthcare provider.
Consider functional medicine strategies to address root causes of imbalance.

Your health, your mood, and your life are worth the investment.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re a woman navigating midlife and want personalized guidance to support your hormones, mood, and overall well-being, I’m here to help.

Schedule a functional medicine discovery call or reach out to me directly to discuss how we can create a plan tailored to your unique needs.

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

You don’t have to navigate midlife changes alone—let’s take this journey together.

September 09 2025

How Stress Can Stall Your Healing (and What to Do About It)

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

You’ve been through a lot—an injury, surgery, or a chronic condition that just won’t go away. You’re trying to rest, eat right, follow physical therapy, and take your medications, but something still feels off.

You’re exhausted, your pain flares up randomly, and sleep is a nightly struggle.

This isn’t just in your head—it could be your stress response working against your body’s ability to heal.

The Stress-Healing Connection

Stress is not just an emotion—it’s a physiological event that activates your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In short bursts, stress helps your body respond to threats. But when stress becomes chronic—whether from pain, trauma, work, or emotional strain—it keeps your body in a fight-or-flight mode that directly interferes with healing.

Here’s how stress can sabotage your recovery:

Elevated cortisol suppresses your immune system and increases inflammation
Sleep disruption prevents your tissues from regenerating overnight
Muscle tension and nerve hypersensitivity increase your perception of pain
Digestive slowdown affects nutrient absorption critical for healing
Mood imbalances (like anxiety or depression) further slow progress

Even if you’re doing “everything right” physically, your nervous system may still be stuck in a hypervigilant state—blocking recovery at the root.

Signs That Stress Is Impacting Your Recovery

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Pain that worsens at night or during stressful periods
Brain fog, forgetfulness, or trouble concentrating
Frequent illnesses or longer time to heal
Anxiety, irritability, or low mood
Blood pressure swings or digestive issues

How Functional Medicine Helps You Reset

In functional medicine, we don’t just look at where it hurts—we look at why your body isn’t healing. If chronic stress is interfering, we address the entire stress response system and restore balance. That may include:

Cortisol rhythm testing (via saliva or urine)
Adrenal and nervous system support using herbs, nutrients, and lifestyle tools
Gentle movement therapies that calm the vagus nerve
Sleep and circadian rhythm restoration protocols
Mind-body interventions like breathwork, journaling, or trauma release

It’s not all in your head—but the healing starts with your brain-body connection.

Your Next Step: Calm the Storm

If this sounds like you, I invite you to take the first step toward restoring your nervous system and getting back to life.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Contact Info:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and Central Florida
Phone: 407-760-1662
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Website: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

August 08 2025

“I Just Want to Feel Like Myself Again”: The Silent Struggles of Injured Workers

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
“Understanding the Human Side of Injury Recovery: Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Solutions” – Part 1 of 3

Maria’s Story

Maria didn’t expect that one wrong move while lifting a box would change everything. She thought it was a simple strain. But the pain lingered. Then came the doctor visits, physical therapy appointments, confusing paperwork, insurance delays, and endless uncertainty.

Three months later, she was still out of work — physically hurting, emotionally drained, and terrified of losing the job she loved.

“I just want to feel like myself again,” she whispered through tears.

Maria isn’t alone.

The Hidden Emotional Toll

Workplace injuries don’t just affect the body — they shake a person’s entire identity. Many injured workers feel:

Anxious about how long recovery will take
Isolated from coworkers, routines, and daily purpose
Ashamed for being “the one who got hurt”
Powerless in a system that seems more focused on paperwork than people

Pain becomes more than physical. It’s emotional. Mental. Spiritual. And too often, invisible.

Stuck in the System

Most injured workers have never navigated workers’ comp before.
They’re suddenly thrown into:

Complex forms and denials
Conflicting advice from doctors, employers, and insurers
Appointments that focus on symptoms, not solutions

It’s easy to feel like a case number — not a person.

And when healing stalls or setbacks happen, many begin to wonder: “Will I ever feel normal again?”

The Fear No One Talks About

Behind the pain is a deeper fear:

“What if I can’t go back to work?”
“Will they replace me?”
“How will I support my family?”

This fear steals sleep, strains marriages, and can trigger depression.

That’s why recovery needs more than pills and paperwork — it needs compassionate, coordinated care.

What Real Support Looks Like

I’ve worked with countless workers like Maria. Here’s what changes everything:

Personalized recovery plans that address the root causes of pain, not just mask symptoms
Clear education so clients understand their body, options, and expected timeline
Emotional support and advocacy through every step of the system
Functional medicine strategies that improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and restore energy

Because when someone feels seen and supported, healing speeds up.

How I Can Help

If you or someone you love is feeling lost in the recovery process, I’m here to help.

As a nurse consultant and functional medicine provider, I work one-on-one with injured workers to create recovery strategies that restore function, reduce pain, and support safe return to work.

You’re not a claim. You’re a whole person — and you deserve care that reflects that.

Call to Action

You don’t have to go through this alone.
Let’s talk about a plan that puts your recovery — and your life — back on track.
Schedule a discovery call or visit jrmnurseconsultants.com

August 08 2025

From Burnout to Balance: Functional Medicine for Stress and Fatigue

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

If you wake up tired, depend on coffee to get through the day, or feel like your body is stuck in survival mode, you are likely experiencing stress-related fatigue—sometimes called burnout. Unlike ordinary tiredness, burnout impacts your body, mind, and emotions deeply and can linger for weeks, months, or even years if left unaddressed.

Why Does Burnout Happen?

Burnout results from chronic, unresolved stress that overwhelms your body’s natural ability to adapt and recover. The adrenal glands—small organs that produce cortisol and other hormones—can become overworked, leading to adrenal fatigue or dysregulation. This, in turn, disrupts your hormonal balance and nervous system function, leaving you feeling drained, irritable, and unable to focus.

At the same time, stress impacts your blood sugar regulation, digestion, and sleep quality, creating a vicious cycle that makes recovery challenging.

What Functional Medicine Offers That Conventional Care Often Misses

Traditional approaches tend to focus on managing symptoms with medications or advising rest. While helpful in some cases, these do not address the root causes of burnout.

Functional Medicine looks at the whole person—your lifestyle, environment, nutrition, genetics, and emotional well-being—to design a personalized recovery plan. The goal is to support your body’s natural healing pathways so you can regain energy, clarity, and emotional balance.

Key Areas We Address Together

Adrenal Health: Supporting healthy cortisol rhythms through targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes to restore energy and resilience.
Blood Sugar Balance: Stabilizing blood sugar to prevent energy crashes and mood swings with diet and supplementation.
Gut-Brain Axis: Healing your digestive system to reduce inflammation and improve mental clarity and mood.
Nervous System Regulation: Incorporating mind-body practices such as breathing techniques, meditation, or gentle movement to calm the stress response.
Adaptogenic Herbs: Using natural plant-based supplements like ashwagandha, rhodiola, or holy basil to help your body adapt to stress.

The Road to Recovery

Recovery from burnout is a journey, not a quick fix. Many clients find that making gradual, sustainable changes under guidance yields the best results—feeling less overwhelmed and more empowered every step of the way.

If you’re tired of pushing through exhaustion and ready to reclaim your life, I invite you to begin your healing journey today.

Your Next Step: Personalized Support

Schedule your Initial Functional Health Consultation for only $25.00. We’ll take a detailed look at your unique health picture, including your stressors, symptoms, and lifestyle, to develop a plan tailored to your needs.

Click here to book your session

Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
jrmnurseconsultants.com

March 03 2017

Feelings of Anxiety in Interdepartmental Collaboration

In healthcare, we often see anxiety arise when one department tells another what to do, especially when authority or control comes into question. These moments can quickly create tension and misunderstandings.

One solution I’ve found helpful is simple but powerful: managers should communicate directly with one another before any work begins in another department. When both leaders talk through the plan, they can identify the best time to proceed, avoid conflicts, and ensure the workflow is smooth. This prevents staff from being caught off guard or feeling disrespected.

Too often, situations are addressed reactively — one manager approaching another in frustration after a problem occurs. This only adds to the anxiety and makes collaboration harder. Instead, a proactive conversation can ease emotions and set clear expectations.

I always remind my colleagues: when one department enters another department’s space, they are a guest. Respecting that space fosters trust, reduces stress, and makes teamwork far more effective. In the end, collaboration isn’t about authority — it’s about partnership.

Reference
Miller, K. L., Reeves, S., Zwarenstein, M., Beales, J. D., Kenaszchuk, C., & Conn, L. G. (2008, June 2). Nursing Emotion Work and Interprofessional Collaboration in General Internal Medicine Wards: A Qualitative Study. JAN Original Research, 333–343.

Years of experience in Work Comp, Case Management, Disease Management, Utilization Review and Prior Authorization.

Category Archives: Mental Health and Wellness.