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 […]
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 […]
Counseling vs. Therapy: Is There A Difference?

While the terms “counseling” and “therapy” are typically used interchangeably when talking about mental health interventions, there are vast differences between the two types of services! While both are treatments for mental health issues that involve interacting with a mental health professional and working through an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, there are key characteristics […]
Beyond High School: How to Manage Mixed Emotions in the Real World

Congratulations on making it to the end of the school year! Chances are you are moving up a grade or will be graduating soon. Quite likely, you are experiencing a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and sadness. Having a combination of feelings about moving on to the next chapter in school or in life […]
Stress: The Good, The Bad, and The Benefits You Never Knew Existed

While it might be difficult to accept, stress is a part of our everyday life. You might think that all types of stress are bad, but that isn’t true! In most cases, we believe that stress is a negative thing that wreaks havoc on our physical and mental health, but it can actually provide us […]
Why Self-Esteem is Critical for Teen Mental Health

What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is defined as your subjective sense of overall personal worth or value. Having a healthy amount of self-esteem can benefit your mental well-being, your motivation, resilience, and more! Having too little or too much self-esteem can be problematic and manifest in various ways. While some of us might think that self-esteem […]
Valentine’s Day Blues: How Is Your Teen Coping?

February and Valentine’s Day usually represent a time of love and everything associated with love. Romance, flowers, jewelry, fine food, and chocolates – these are all good! For your teen, however, this could be a time of feeling isolated, unloved, alone, and just not wanted. Think about it. Your spouse and you are planning something […]
Mental Health vs. Mental Wellness: What Parents Should Know

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] During the month of January, we at A Brighter Day, along with many others, choose to celebrate Mental Wellness Month. Mental Wellness Month is focused on recognizing the importance of attending to our mental health […]