Teens, we get it. Social media is an essential part of your life. Especially during this pandemic, when a virtual connection is the only way you can stay in touch with friends. “Okay,” you’re thinking, “Where’s the ‘but’?” We’re not here to argue against unlimited screen time – your parents have that covered. We’re also not here to warn you about talking to strangers online, which we’ve already discussed. And
Marijuana is popular among teens. According to the most recent Monitoring the Future Survey, 45 percent of high school seniors said they’d tried marijuana at least once, and around six percent of them use marijuana every day. That’s about one in every 16 students. The advent of new e-cigarettes, such as the Juul, which looks like a flash drive, contributes to the problem. In 2018, 60 percent more teens started
by Toby LaPlant Political engagement isn’t just for people above the voting age. Some of the most vocal and respected leaders of efforts to change public policy on education, climate change, LGBTQ rights, and more are people in their teens. Young people like Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, and Gavin Grimm have addressed governments, organized protests, and founded programs to create the changes their generation want to see in the world.
Since 2004, wellness advocates across the U.S. have recognized October as National Emotional Wellness Month. This year, we encourage you to join us as we take this time to raise awareness about the importance of emotional wellness, monitor our emotional wellness, and share what we know about emotional wellness to help our friends, colleagues, and loved ones. More than any October over the past decade, we need to understand what
Moving is traumatic – and not just for children. It’s stressful for everyone: adults, adolescents, and even the elderly. In fact, in terms of trauma, moving is one of the most significant life stressors, coming only after death and divorce, according to University Hospitals of Northeastern Ohio. Like any other trauma, moving can cause mental health and emotional issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. Read our article
Recent statistics suggest that a growing number of adolescents struggle with alcohol or substance use disorder. The numbers are alarming: 1.3 million adolescents aged 12-17, and 5.8 million young adults aged 18-25, met the clinical criteria for alcohol use disorder. And, even more worryingly, there is a significant treatment gap for this age group, with only 5.8% of the first group, and only 8% of the second, receiving treatment. This
Most people understand the bullying, exclusion, and violence that LGBTQ youth sometimes face from straight and/or non-LGBTQ people in their wider community. But something many people don’t know is that the pressure to look and act certain ways that teens experience from their LGBTQ peers can be just as damaging to their wellbeing. As television, film, and celebrity culture include more LGBTQ people, the media still sometimes falls into the trap
For teenagers, a solid group of friends can enrich life and make the ups and downs of adolescence a fun, shared experience. Friends can help teens manage school, romance, family troubles, sports, and everything else that goes along with being a teen. But not all teens make friends easily, and sometimes life events interrupt friendships and force teens to start all over. Perhaps that’s the case with your adolescent child.
Aunts and uncles can be like a second set of parents. Lots of kids have that cool aunt or fun-loving uncle who spoils you, takes you on outings, or loves telling stories about when you were in diapers. And lots of kids can think of a favorite aunt or uncle they feel comfortable confiding in. Which is why, today, we’ll issue an important reminder for teens. If you ever feel
You know those safety speeches flight attendants give before takeoff? “In case of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks above your seat will deploy. Put your mask on first and then assist your child or other passengers” The reason is simple: you can’t take care of your child – or anyone else – if you can’t breathe. The message of this metaphor? To be a good parent, you have
