Cultivating Mental Wellbeing through Gratitude: National Gratitude Month
November is not only the season of falling leaves and cozy sweaters, but also the time to celebrate National Gratitude Month. This month, dedicated to fostering a culture of thankfulness, serves as a timely reminder of the significant impact gratitude can have on mental wellbeing, particularly among young individuals. In this blog post, we will […]
Navigating Grief on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day: Tips for Youth
Every year, International Survivors of Suicide Day, observed on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, provides an opportunity to come together and remember those we have lost to suicide. It’s a day to honor their lives and offer support to the survivors left behind. In this blog post, we address the grief experienced by the youth and […]
Honoring Veterans and Supporting Their Children: A Tribute on Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who have served our country, sacrificing so much for the greater good (1). But it’s also a moment to shed light on the often unsung heroes—their children. The impact of military service on the mental health of veterans is profound, and the effects […]
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 Teachers Can Improve Youth Mental Health and Well-Being
How Teachers Can Improve Youth Mental Health and Well-Being Teachers and school administration are well positioned to identify students that exhibit early warning signs of an emerging mental health condition. Educators make a significant and lasting difference in the lives of these children. Empathy, active listening, and kindness are all important for maintaining a mentally healthy […]
9 Ways to Strengthen Resiliency and Prevent Instances of Mental Illness in Youth
9 Ways to Strengthen Resiliency and Prevent Instances of Mental Illness There are certain factors, including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect and family dysfunction that increase the likelihood of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As we have witnessed and experienced, these childhood adversities can have a […]
How to Overcome Emotional Neglect in Childhood
How to Overcome Emotional Neglect in Childhood Family relationships are complex and there are a wide range of issues that fall under the label of family dysfunction. Most people associate it with big events, such as witnessing domestic violence, living through divorce or separation of a parent/caregiver, addictive behaviors, domestic abuse, and/or mental health concerns […]
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 […]
Coping with Going Back to School
Coping with Going Back to School The events leading up to the back to school season can trigger a prior adverse childhood experience. Behavioral or mental health challenges are not a “phase” or “stage” to be outgrown; for many children and teens they are very real. Trauma Experts say that these events are not singular instances […]