Social media isn’t inherently harmful, but it can amplify stress, anxiety, and comparing ourselves to others, particularly for youth whose brains are still developing. Since the pandemic, many teens have leaned on social platforms for connection. While that’s understandable, it’s more important than ever to help them balance online interaction with real-life relationships.
The swift approach of Autumn and the ending of summer can be a brutal adjustment. Days are short and cold, evenings are dark and long, and these changes in the weather can bring on symptoms of Seasonal Depressive Disorder. Because of this, it’s important to find enjoyable ways to combat these symptoms and protect your mental health. Here are a few suggestions to help you get excited for the changing season, all while supporting your mental health.
As parents, caregivers, or guardians, the aspect of going back to school is often exciting. While this can be exciting for students, too, anxiety often rears its ugly head. There are simple things parents, caregivers, and/or guardians can do to minimize the anxiety students feel about going back to school.
Caring for a loved one with severe and long-standing mental health issues can be challenging and emotionally draining—especially when traditional treatments fail to bring relief. Mental health is rarely straightforward. If you are navigating this terrain of seeking different solutions, here are a few practical steps to help you move forward.
As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, it’s crucial to understand the difference between discipline and abuse. Effective discipline teaches children right from wrong, but it's essential to recognize when discipline crosses the line into abuse, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on children. Learn ways to implement effective discipline into the home that is calm, consistent, and intentional, not humiliating or hurtful.
Self-Harm can be a difficult subject to talk about, but it's important parents and caretakers are educated on what it is, signs to look for, and the difference between self-harm and suicidal ideation.
You’ve taken the first big step into understanding your child’s mental health. With a diagnosis of depression by a mental health professional, it may not feel like a “congratulatory” moment, but it’s an action you and your child should be proud of – asking for help is the first step in any healing journey. After the diagnosis, it’s key to create a safe, consistent, and supportive home that fosters healing and growth. Here are some actions you can take to start the process.
Love and kindness should go hand in hand, and random acts of kindness are scientifically proven to positively impact yourself and those around you. Making the choice to be kind and focusing on compassion, not just for others but for yourself, can have a huge impact on mental health.
How can hope improve mental health? Studies on the science of hope began in the 1980s, and it was determined that hope is an action-oriented skill that can be learned, versus just something that you “feel.” In order to cultivate positive change in ourselves, in others, or society at large, restoring hope is the vital first step.