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31 Mental Health Hacks to Relieve Your Holiday Anxiety

Anxiety. It’s a totally natural, normal, expected response to the dizzying blur of activities that happen each holiday season. Of course, that doesn’t make it any less painful or convenient. But with an arsenal of grounding exercises under your belt, you can bring down your anxiety to a manageable level before the point of no […]

The Holidays and Teen Depression

family get-together around the holidays with parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and teens

Thanksgiving through Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Lots of family, friends, new gifts and toys and winter break at school. So why is this time of the year the worst time for teens with more suicides than any other time? Even at the adult level, depression will run rampant. […]

Veterans Day and Your Teen: What’s the Connection?

Thank You Veterans

At first glance, the significance of Veterans Day and the everyday lives of our teenagers may seem worlds apart, but there’s a poignant connection that might surprise you. A Shared Battle: Hopelessness and Mental Health Statistics reveal a sobering reality: the only demographic experiencing a higher rate of suicide than our nation’s adolescents and young […]

Teen Angst or Genuine Depression?

Teen angst or genuine depression

Hey, super parents! Welcome to the sometimes tumultuous world of parenting teens. If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your teen’s moodiness is just typical teenage behavior (teen angst) or something more serious, you’re not alone. It’s a tightrope that many parents walk, trying to strike a balance between understanding and concern. So, let’s demystify the […]

Walk Your Path: How to Understand and Combat Peer Pressure

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

teen isolation and 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

Group of teenagers

I urge all parents to deeply understand their teens. This involves peeling away their layers of self-protection and grasping what truly motivates them. Often, it also means fostering a non-judgmental environment and seizing opportunities for meaningful dialogues. Providing Access to Teen Mental Health Resources One of my primary aims for A Brighter Day Charity is […]

Neurodiversity in Teens: Our Differences Make Us Who We Are

Neurodiversity

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

animal therapy for teens

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

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 […]