Most of us recognize the importance of good sleep. Sleep promotes better energy levels, physical health, cognitive skills, and mental well-being. But what exactly constitutes “good” sleep? And what happens when we don’t get the right amount? For teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18, the “right” amount of sleep is around 8 to […]

Mental illness is rife throughout the globe, as millions of people struggle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other difficult conditions. Yet, despite how common it is, mental illness is not commonly understood. Mental illnesses are health conditions that affect a person’s mood, behavior, and thought patterns. They are chronic conditions that disrupt one’s […]

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. It’s a harrowing reality that devastates families, friends, and communities every day. Too often, young people do not have the tools they need to cope with negative feelings—and make the choice to end their life. This leaves many […]

Recovery is a process of change in which a person aims to improve their health, take control of their lives, and reach their fullest potential. However, this is a working definition of recovery. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine, there is not one single definition of recovery for people with a […]

Recovery is a broad term, as it can apply to recovery from an illness, a relationship, a job, an addiction… The list goes on. For the purposes of this article, we are discussing recovery from mental health and substance use disorders – an important topic that is especially relevant this month. The Substance Abuse and […]

September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time in which the nation comes together to recognize the harrowing realities of suicide and spread awareness about this highly stigmatized topic. All month long, mental health advocates and allies (like us) work to educate others about the signs and effects of suicide, to discuss suicide prevention measures, […]

The National Institute on Mental Health estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, amounting to 57.8 million people in 2021. Within these startling statistics lies an essential distinction between “any mental illness” (AMI) and “serious mental illness” (SMI).  This difference in categorization causes many people to wonder: What […]

If there’s a teen in your home, you’re likely no stranger to the complex landscape of adolescent development, which can be dramatic, to say the least. Teenagers are constantly trying on new identities, shifting interests, experimenting with new friends and social groups, and even changing their appearance with new hair or clothes to understand who […]

In a world where teens and young adults often experiment, with both substances and experiences, recreational drug use has become a concern for many parents. There is a fine line between recreational drug use and addiction, and it can be especially difficult for parents to spot the difference. While some individuals engage in drug use […]

Adolescence is a time of growth, exploration, and self-discovery, but for some teenagers, it can also be marked by challenging behaviors that go beyond typical teenage rebellion. This article delves into the world of adolescent conduct disorder, shedding light on its impact on teenagers and families.   The following sections will provide insights into what teen […]