Mental health, as the name suggests, is our health mentally, which is to say, has to do with our brain. And just like our bodies, our brains are constantly changing and growing, particularly in childhood and adolescence. Continue reading Understanding the Teenage Brain
The blog post includes mentions of abuse and suicide. Please read with caution if any of these items triggers or upsets you.
Adverse childhood experiences (shortened to ACE), are stressful and traumatic events that have occurred in one’s lives during their childhood, from birth to 18. The more frequently that children experience ACEs, the more likely they are to experience toxic stress, an extreme form of stress that can have drastically negative effects that can lead to lifelong health problems. While they sound, and are, extreme, having ACEs is not unusual. According to the Center for Youth Wellness, nearly 35 million children in the US are affected by ACEs, 1 in 4 adults have at least one ACE, and 1 in 8 adults have at least four. Continue reading What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Many studies have pointed out that adolescents have low numbers when it comes to seeking treatment for their mental health despite the growing rate of mental illness diagnoses. There are many barriers that prevent them from seeking treatment, and can be both voluntary and involuntary: issues such as lack of transportation and funds can make it impossible for adolescents to physically get there in the first place, and some may have anxiety to make that first phone call or send that first email to schedule an appointment. Continue reading Incorporating Telehealth into Mental Health Treatment
The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives.
Recently, I have learned an interesting fact about myself in therapy. I do not speak up for myself enough, and as a result, my mental health has suffered. Continue reading How Speaking Up Can Improve Your Mental Health
Stop, Breathe and Think, like other mindfulness apps, helps those take a few minutes out of their day to check in with themselves, and as the title suggests, stop, breathe, and think. Unlike most apps is that it’s incredibly customizable, taking in how you’re feeling and building activities that they think is best for you. Continue reading An App to Consider: Stop, Breathe & Think
Mentioning the terms “trigger warnings” and “content warnings” can have very different reactions depending on who you ask. Some feel that having these warnings are necessary and a way for those who are vulnerable or sensitive to specific items to feel comfortable in common spaces. Some, on the other hand, feel that providing these warnings are a way of coddling and sheltering people – specifically students on college campuses. They may argue that having people encounter the material they want to avoid can work as exposure therapy, thus, seeing this information will reduce their negative reactions. Continue reading Using Trigger and Content Warnings Online
Given the benefits of walking outside on mental health, it seems like the natural next step (no pun intended) to take the self-care practice to a more professional level. Walk-and-talk therapy has professionals literally take their sessions outside, where they have the same conversations with their patients as they would regularly, but with the added benefit of (ideally) fresh air, movement, and a more relaxed environment. Continue reading Walk-and-Talk Therapy
The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives.
Many teenagers with mental illnesses feel like they aren’t “normal” and that they are alone in their struggle. There are so many YouTubers and singers that have spoke a lot about their struggles with mental health, and I feel as though knowing of celebrities that talk openly about their own personal struggles can help teenagers suffering with similar things. Continue reading Celebrities With Mental Illnesses
Summer is officially in full swing. Even though the season formally started on Friday, it may feel like it’s been that way for a while now if your child recently finished the school year or noticed just how hot and muggy it’s been. Continue reading Staying Cool to Help Your Mood
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives (shortened to AIAN) make up nearly 3 million people in the United States today. The proportion of AIAN youth in the community is higher than that of the total American population: while 24% of the total population is under 18, 32% of AIAN are under 18, with the average age being 26 compared to the total average of 37. More than 40% of AIAN are under 24, too.