Why We Still Need To Talk About Teen Mental Health
Why We Still Need To Talk About Teen Mental Health We created our series 13 Reasons Why We MUST Talk About Teen Mental Health because when the Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why, aired there was tremendous controversy surrounding it. The show shares the fictional story of a high school student named Hannah Baker, who […]
Hope for Teens Struggling with Depression
Hope for Teens Struggling with Depression Depression in adolescents is more than sadness or moodiness. It is a complex mental health condition that requires compassionate medical care. At Western Youth Services, we support teens and families through the complexities of living with a mental illness. What is depression? Everyone feels sad at some point in […]
How We Can Help Teens with Eating Disorders
How We Can Help Teens with Eating Disorders For adolescents, the mind and body are changing and developing dramatically. For some teens, the social attention of peers is exciting and fun, as they develop their own identities. It can also be a tumultuous transition for some teens that struggle with mental health issues such as […]
Resilience: an Antidote to Embarrassment and Shame
Resilience: an Antidote to Embarrassment and Shame Many emotions occur as teens are developing their sense of self and finding their confidence; some struggle with embarrassment and shame. Research notes that it is during this time of life that our propensity to compare ourselves to others, self-reflect and feel sensitivity toward other people’s opinions is […]
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 […]
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. […]