Understanding Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Understanding Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse High school is an exciting time filled with new experiences. Adolescents are hardwired to take risks and try out “adult” behaviors. It makes sense that almost 70 percent of high school seniors have tried alcohol, and 50 percent have taken an illegal drug such as marijuana. There is a […]
Understanding Teen Loneliness and Social Isolation
Understanding Teen Loneliness and Social Isolation One of the joys and horrors for adolescents is navigating the many transitions they experience in a very short period of time. There are transitions and changes to educational environments we can all remember, such as moving from middle school to high school and then on to college or […]
Creating Resilient Holiday Traditions
Creating Resilient Holiday Traditions Although there are many holidays throughout the year, the concentration of days that are celebrated in November and December can make this a challenging season for those living with a mental health concern. What is meant to be the happiest time of the year, for some is filled with unrealistic expectations of […]
Kindness is Contagious
Kindness is Contagious Scientific American published an article titled “Kindness Contagion – Witnessing kindness inspires kindness, causing it to spread like a virus.” The article shares the details of research they conducted on positive conformity. How people will model the behavior of others and if they see them “doing good” they will follow suit. Sometimes this […]
Teenage Anxiety a Rapidly Growing Mental Health Concern
Teenage Anxiety a Rapidly Growing Mental Health Concern A recent article in the NY Times titled: Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety? sheds light on how anxiety is the most common mental-health disorder affecting nearly one-third of both adolescents and adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. “Anxiety is […]
The Impact of Childhood Domestic Violence
The Impact of Childhood Domestic Violence Let’s start with statistics of Childhood Domestic Violence, which are heartbreaking. A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that every year an estimated 3.3 million to 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence in their home. ChildStats.gov indicates that there are 73.8 million […]
Create a Culture of Bullying Prevention
Create a Culture of Bullying Prevention October is Bullying Prevention Month, a good time to remember that bullying happens every day and in many different places. We all MUST keep our eyes and ears open for various types of bullying behavior and how they are impacting the young people in our lives. The first step […]
Stop the Silence and Stigma of Suicide
Stop the Silence and Stigma of Suicide The most powerful tool that we have in preventing suicide is showing care, compassion, and empathy to those contemplating it. Stop the Stigma of Suicide Take, for example, the raw and real stories shared on the website Live Through This which contains a collection of portraits and stories […]
13 Reasons Why We MUST Talk About Teen Mental Health
13 Reasons Why We MUST Talk About Teen Mental Health Last year, the New York Times reported that the suicide rate in the United States had hit a 30 year high, particularly affecting adolescent girls. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young adults ages 15-24, and reports state that most teens who […]
13 Reasons Why – Actions for a Positive Outcome
13 Reasons Why – Actions for a Positive Outcome The Netflix original series entitled, 13 Reasons Why is trending on social media, in schools, and at the dinner table. The popular series is based on the bestselling young adult book written by Jay Asher in 2007. Perhaps you or a teen you know watched it. […]