The Family Check-In Challenge
The “Family Check-In Challenge” is an A Brighter Day initiative designed to encourage open conversations within families as we roll into the new school year. This routine isn’t just a matter of asking how each person’s day was; it’s about setting a time and place where every family member, especially teens, can openly discuss their […]
Walk Your Path: How to Understand and Combat Peer Pressure
Peer pressure at school, a universal phenomenon experienced by teenagers across the globe, plays a considerable role during these formative years. As adolescents strive to carve out their unique identities, these external influences can deeply impact their mental health, choices, and overall well-being. The Faces of Peer Pressure Peer pressure can manifest itself in various […]
Living in the Age of Teen Loneliness
Our teens live in a world of unparalleled entertainment opportunities, yet they still experience disturbing amounts of teen loneliness. Every cell phone they carry doubles as a computer filled with applications, entertainment, and social media platforms. They can watch movie trailers or go to the movies with their friends. They can indulge in unlimited TV, […]
A Silent Epidemic of Teen Mental Health
Instead, we considered the emotional turbulence in teens’ everyday lives, their familial and social dynamics, and the internal battles they fought when alone and vulnerable. At the time, I could scarcely fathom the actual magnitude of the issue. The Startling Reality of Teen Depression and Anxiety Our preliminary research, albeit non-scientific, suggested the problem was […]
Neurodiversity in Teens: Our Differences Make Us Who We Are
The term “neurodiverse” seems to be used everywhere today; social media, tv shows, movies, and more! While there is no single definition of this term, it typically is used to describe the differences in the ways people’s brains work. According to the Child Mind Institute, the term “neurodiversity” was created to help fight the stigma […]
Animal Therapy: Embracing the Healing Powers of Connection
Including animal therapy in psychological treatment is not new, nor is it uncommon. Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals have played a large part in humans’ lives, and the healing benefits and the unique bonds created by interacting with animals have been documented for thousands of years! Today, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) helps people cope […]
Father’s Day: Strengthening Parent-Teen Connections for Emotional Health
Happy Father’s Day to all the dedicated dads celebrating this special occasion, as well as those whose presence is remembered and cherished. Often, holidays such as Father’s Day present terrific opportunities to build stronger connections with our teenagers and truly discover what is circling around their adolescent emotional quotient. Despite the self-centered “me” nature of […]
The Power of Connection and Community
Human connection and community are tools that are often underutilized and not talked about enough. Connecting with other people, both strangers and close friends, can have a positive impact on our physical and mental health that we never anticipated! Being able to connect with others allows us to feel understood, heard, and seen. We are […]
Mental Health Basics
The term “mental health” has gained an immense amount of popularity and attention in recent years and is a hot topic in workplaces, schools, social media, and much more! Navigating this complex term can be overwhelming as it encompasses so many different areas of psychology: mental illnesses, psychological health, emotional well-being, and mental wellness. If […]
We Are Changing Teen Lives Every Day
We are all painfully aware of the epidemic of stress and depression in the lives of our teens. Recent surveys suggest that as high as 50% of all teens have experienced overwhelming stress and/or depression at some point. Left unchecked, depression can lead to the most awful of outcomes: suicide. You can find these disturbing […]
