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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Cost of Child Abuse
The Cost of Child Abuse April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families released the 26th edition of the 2015 Child Maltreatment Report in January 2017. As a parent, mental health professional, and human being, child abuse and the lasting […]
Cutting to the Core
Cutting to the Core Nonsuicidal Self-Injury or self-harm, shows up in the form of intentional self-mutilation, often cutting. According to research compiled by The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine the numbers are staggering, 15% of adolescents in the US are afflicted, and the number increases from 17% to 35% to college-aged students. […]
ACEs – From Adversity to Resiliency
ACEs – From Adversity to Resiliency Recently, we attended a local Rotary Club event and shared a bit of what we do at Western Youth Services (WYS). A man approached our booth and told us that his children were WYS clients 15 years ago. He said his entire life has been turned around as a […]
Have you heard of the Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACE Study?
Have you heard of the Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACE Study? Western Youth Services (WYS) has been a hub for Children’s Mental Health in Orange County, California since October 1972, treating children, youth and families facing trauma and stress. While we were aware that the study existed, it was not until we watched Dr. Nadine […]
The Trauma of Bullying
The Trauma of Bullying Western Youth Services (WYS) has worked with children and families in Orange County, California since 1972. Through the years we have witnessed the many faces of bullying and the effects of the trauma that it causes in a child’s life. Although October is National Bullying Prevention Month, we support the prevention […]
Invisible Barriers Hold Kids Back
Invisible Barriers Hold Kids Back At Western Youth Services (WYS), we often talk about mental illness is an invisible barrier to success. Mental and behavioral health concerns are often the result of a child who has had one or more adverse experiences or trauma. The signs of trauma are not always visible, no bruises, […]