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The Impact of Leisure Activities on Mental Well-Being in Children and Adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Trauma
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare, complex genetic syndrome estimated to impact one in 10,000 to 30,000 individuals worldwide (National Library of Medicine [NLM], 2020). PWS is generated by a genetic mutation on Chromosome 15, causing a wide range of cognitive and physical disabilities (NLM,...
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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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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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Understanding Trauma-Informed Care for Young Children and Families in the Shelter
Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is one of the premier and largest community-based social services agencies in New York State. Its mission is to “drive scalable solutions to transform the lives of people with disabilities, people in poverty, and people facing homelessness: solutions that...
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The Kids Are Not Alright: How Seismic Changes in the Childhood Experience Have Undermined the Health of a Generation
Our nation’s youth are in crisis. Such a sweeping characterization of an entire demographic would ordinarily border on hyperbole, but as Robert F. Kennedy proclaimed when he announced his candidacy for the Presidency nearly 60 years ago, “These are not ordinary times.” In October 2021, the...
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Empowering Families, Supporting Youth: CEC Health Care’s Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model in Glen Cove
CEC Health Care in Glen Cove, NY, offers comprehensive behavioral health services to children through an integrated approach, combining resources from the CEC Article 31 (OMH) Clinic, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), and the Community Mental Health Promotion and Support...
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Suicide Prevention and Response: Fostering Trust and Safety in Vulnerable Communities
Suicide carries grief and mourning and encompasses assumptions, histories, and fantasies. It holds the dialectic of abbreviated narratives and hope-filled storylines for those who survive. 2022 U.S. data from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) indicates that 1.6 million adults...
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From Harm to Healing: How Family Dynamics Shape Hazing Recovery
When a family member experiences hazing, the recovery process often reverberates beyond the individual, particularly affecting parents. Parents frequently struggle with guilt, feelings of failure, and shame. This can shape family dynamics, influencing how they provide support—or fail to do so....
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How to Approach Treating Older Adults with Complex Mental and Physical Care Needs
Roughly 14% of adults over age 60 (WHO, 2023) live with a mental health condition. As the geriatric population continues to grow (Urban Institute, n.d.), so do its rates of mental distress, depression, and drug deaths (Wilson, 2024). The behavioral health industry must prepare for treating more...
