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Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Substance Use in Adolescents
Adolescence is a critical period of development, and exposure to trauma during this stage can impact mental health and behavior. Research consistently shows a strong connection between trauma and substance use among adolescents, with trauma often acting as a risk factor for developing substance use...
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Young Adult Access Centers: A Massachusetts Model for Supporting Young Adults with Behavioral Health Challenges
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Young Adult Access Centers are unique community spaces that serve young adults with mental health and co-occurring behavioral health concerns and support them with their transition to adulthood. These 10 Access Centers are tailored to young people...
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Creating a Continuum of Care: Addressing Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth & Young Adults in New York and Beyond
The mental health landscape for youth and young adults in the United States is at a critical inflection point. According to the World Economic Forum, the world’s 1.2 billion young people, representing 16% of the global population, are facing a generational mental health crisis of unprecedented...
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Parenting with Mental Illness: Breaking the Silence and Navigating the Challenges
Mental illness affects millions of individuals worldwide, with an estimated 20% of adults in the United States experiencing a mental health disorder each year (NIMH, 2022). Among them, many are parents tasked with the responsibility of raising children while managing their own mental health. While...
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Helping Teens with Eating Disorders: Balancing Treatment and Academic Success
For adolescents struggling with eating disorders, the pursuit of recovery often comes at a difficult cost: disruption to their education. The rigid structure of traditional schooling rarely accommodates the complex needs of students undergoing treatment, forcing many families to make an impossible...
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Embracing Healing: The Transformative Power of Trauma-Informed Care for Families
In recent years, the field of child welfare has witnessed a significant shift towards trauma-informed care (TIC), recognizing the profound impact of adverse experiences on children and families. This approach is revolutionizing how we support families in healing and thriving after facing adversity....
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Does Listening to the Family Violate HIPAA? What Clinicians Need to Know When Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults
Over time, good clinicians frequently come to similar conclusions. One of those conclusions is that family involvement in treatment can help the person in therapy find deeper and healthier relationships with important people in their lives. While it is not always possible to “fix what is...
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Digital Well-Being: Managing Screen Time and Promoting Healthy Tech Habits in Families
From setting morning alarms to random late-night scrolling, screens have become our irreplaceable companions in daily life. For work, education, or entertainment, devices take over our routines. Recent Average Screen Time statistics by Exploding Topics show that the average person spends...
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Addressing Mental Health Disparities Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Mental health challenges among LGBTQ+ youth have been an ongoing concern for human services organizations. This group faces higher rates of bullying, discrimination, and mistreatment than many other populations. As a result, they are more vulnerable to conditions such as anxiety and...
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Justice Peer Support: On the Trauma of (and Resilience from) Incarceration
Editorial Note: Given the recent NYS correction officers' strike, this article is especially timely. The strike, driven by concerns over staffing shortages and solitary confinement reforms, has coincided with the tragic deaths of nine incarcerated men (so far). This context underscores the urgency...
