Reflections And Insights From The Team

In nurturing parenting classes, parents and children are actively involved in improving individual behaviors and the family dynamic!

Undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions can be debilitating for adults and children. October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, which highlights the importance of mental health screenings.

Did you know that 82 percent, or four out of five, pharmacy-filled prescriptions are opioids? Or that 2 million Americans over the age of 12 (6 percent) abuse prescriptions in a year? The prescription drug epidemic is one of America's most pressing public health problems. We want to help you learn to spot signs of prescription medicine abuse among friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. If we can see the signs, we can help stop addiction before it starts!

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Your safety is your top priority when it comes to escaping domestic violence, so you need to take all of the necessary steps for protecting yourself and getting away from an abusive environment. Here are the steps for building a personal safety and escape plan.

If you’ve been feeling like your anger is out of control lately—first, you’re not alone; the ongoing stresses of the pandemic have shortened everyone’s fuse—the good news is that you can learn to manage your anger appropriately. Research shows that increasing your self-awareness can help manage anger.

The substance abuse epidemic has grown at an alarming rate, and we see terrifying numbers of overdose-related deaths: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths are at an all-time high.

Sober living houses, which have existed in the U.S. in some form since the 1940s, are alcohol- and drug-free living environments that offer social support to individuals who feel they’d be most successful with some structure, peer support and a feeling of living at home.

Residential substance abuse treatment programs provide an environment where individuals can focus on healing from their addictions and learn skills to live soberly as they transition back into society.

Bullying is a genuine problem that impacts students of all ages in schools, at home, on the playground and on campus—anywhere they go to socialize. Bullying behavior can take the forms of physical, mental and emotional abuse. In the most severe cases, bullying leads to self-harm or suicide for some students who have been targeted for an extended period of time.

Historically, self-harm was associated with physical pain such as excessive headbanging, cutting, burning or scratching to the point of drawing blood. But there’s a new form of self-harm on the rise in this digital age, and it’s becoming alarmingly more common. In a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, researchers surveyed students aged 12-17. They discovered that 6 percent have participated in digital self-harm activities, including posting something mean about themselves online anonymously.

With schools reopening for in-person learning, it’s understandable that many parents and students may feel anxious about going back to school. Healthy routines can help your students stay productive and positive, particularly during this time of heightened anxiety. Daily patterns of actions not only help kids develop life skills but also help them feel safe.

Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying by peers can threaten your students’ emotional and physical health and make their schools feel like unsafe environments. And while there’s heightened awareness of the prevalence of bullying in schools and online spaces these days, many students still struggle with reporting bullying—whether they experience it personally or witness the incidents.

The economic recession and enforced quarantines, lockdowns and social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted people’s mental health. People worldwide have reported disturbed sleep patterns, increased substance use and alcohol consumption, fear of job loss, feelings of isolation and increased symptoms of existing mental illness.

In the United States, one in five people experiences a mental health condition, regardless of race. But minorities experience a very different level of access to and quality of mental health care.

For some, even the act of planning a vacation or getaway can elevate their mood. If you’re in the early days of a recovery journey, though, you may be struggling with the idea of a vacation because you worry about the risk of relapse. Here are a few tips to help you travel confidently while supporting your recovery.

Expectations and commitments can exert both positive and negative influences on your life and health. You’ve heard the phrase “rise to expectations.” Stretching and growing to meet a bar set by yourself or others—whether it’s a personal or professional accomplishment—can be powerful and positive motivation. But it can be demoralizing if you lack the tools or resources necessary—or are being measured against unrealistic parameters.

When you engage in activities that positively impact your emotional and physical well-being, you naturally lower your risk for mental health issues and increase your ability to deal with life’s daily challenges as well as physical and psychological health concerns. Because how you define self-care may be different from others, it’s up to you to discover the practices that best support your mental health.

Paying attention to your physical health and recognizing emotional patterns are self-care techniques that mental health professionals recommend to help improve mental health. Let’s examine how you can use common self-care techniques to live life to the fullest.

Thanks to advances in technology, we have more ways to help prevent people from taking their own lives.

Losing someone you love to suicide is devastating and overwhelming. And sadly, the stigma around suicide can make coping with your grief even more complicated. You may struggle with processing your loss and wishing to understand the events that led up to the suicide.We know that there’s no easy answer, nor is there just one solution when it comes to dealing with a loved one’s suicide. Here a few healthy ways to begin your journey of healing.

In 2019 47,511 individuals died by suicide in the United States—and there were approximately 1.38 million suicide attempts. Here’s what survivors of attempted suicide wish you knew.

About 12 million adults in the U.S. struggle with sex addicton. Often referred to as hypersexuality; sex addiction is described as a preoccupation with sexual urges and fantasies. From work to relationships and even health, hypersexuality can negatively impact aspects of an individual’s life. Let's explore some of the impacts that sex addiction can have on family bonds.

Positive family dynamics are crucial to helping families resolve conflict, work through life’s challenges, communicate effectively and work as a team.

It’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of keeping half-full bottles of old pills, particularly narcotic painkillers, at home. The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019.

Maintaining functional family relationships is key to emotional, behavioral and psychological health and well-being.

Our family relationships provide the foundation for communication, attachment, self-worth and boundaries. The bonds we maintain with family members become our maps for how we treat others and interact.

The stigma surrounding mental illness causes a heavy burden on both the people with mental health conditions and those who love them. When individuals with

The decision to get help and commit to treatment and recovery ultimately falls on the person struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD). However, as

Unfortunately, abuse in teenage relationships is far too common. And it’s not exclusive to teen girls; teen boys can also be victims of abusive behavior.

Physical abuse inflicted on a romantic partner can leave bruises, cuts and scars, making it abundantly clear that violence has occurred in a relationship. But

From physical suffering to hopelessness and mental illness, many different factors and reasons may lead a person to have suicidal ideation. But it’s one thing

Narcan is one of three FDA-approved formulations of naloxone, an opioid antagonist used to treat opioid addiction and as a rescue medicine for opioid overdose.

If you have a loved one battling a mental health issue and a substance abuse disorder like alcoholism, drug addiction or both, they may have

To say that 2020 was a year like no other would be an understatement. But even with the pandemic, lockdown and social distancing, most people

If you’re fed up with all those hangovers, headaches and mood swings caused by alcohol or other substance abuse, and you’re wondering whether giving up on bad habits could have positive effects on your life, know that you’re not alone in this. The number of people interested in the “Sober Curious”movement is on the rise, so let’s take a look at what it means and how it can affect your life.

The holiday season encourages us to turn our thoughts toward gratitude, generosity and compassion, as tradition brings us to the table with our friends and family. Yet, the holidays are also a time of stressful situations, chaotic schedules and potential recklessness. For those in recovery, such issues are amplified. But there are ways to celebrate holidays safely, comfortably and joyously. Here are some tips on how to do it properly:

The holiday season is usually associated with fun traditions, especially those that revolve around food. However, for someone struggling with an eating disorder, the holidays can be especially stressful and challenging. Here are our best tips to help you enjoy the holidays with less stress:

The holiday season is often stressful for everyone, but it can be especially challenging for those in recovery. However, there is a way to navigate holiday stress, avoid relapse and enjoy the celebratory season with your loved ones. Here’s how to do it:

When you think of homelessness, do you picture older individuals living on the streets?The reality of homelessness is broader than you think. Even before the spread of the COVID-19 virus, America was experiencing an economic crisis that led many people, including students, to end up on the streets.

Many of us look forward to winter holidays and celebrations, yet this time of year is also one of the deadliest: more people drink excessively and take (illegal) substances than at other times of the year. This is also the time when addicts may ignore their alcohol or drug problems rather than draw attention to their disorder or feel left out at any party, family gatherings and other festivities.

During these challenging times, you may be feeling many different emotions: you may be stressed, saddened, or angered as a reaction to events of the past few months or recent days.

It can be really upsetting to see someone you care about, or even a stranger, being hurt or abused. Unfortunately, it’s all too common in the U.S.: On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. During one year, that’s more than 10 million women and men facing abuse. Incidents of domestic violence tend to increase during the holiday season. You can take steps to help:

Financial worries, anxiety, isolation, grief, changes, pressures at home and work and an ongoing sense of uncertainty have become hallmarks of 2020. It’s been a tough year for most of us—and we’re probably not at our best in terms of mental or physical health. The stress and isolation have also increased substance use—or the pressure to use.

Domestic violence and cybersecurity are two issues that are more connected than you might think. Stay safe by following these valuable tech safety tips.

Intimate partner abuse happens when one person uses physical or psychological means to control their partner’s thoughts, beliefs or actions. This type of abuse has real consequences, including physical, sexual, emotional and financial harm.