It’s not easy to identify mental illness in another person. Even in adults, it’s difficult to know where to draw the line between strange behavior and mental illness. This is even more true in teenagers. Many parents find themselves wondering “do I have an out-of-control teenager or is this a mental health condition?” First of all, you aren’t alone. The fact that you’re here reading this now shows that you are ready to do whatever it takes to get your… Continue Reading
Alternatives to Self-Harm: Coping Strategies for Adolescents
Dealing with negative emotions and traumatic situations isn’t easy – especially for teenagers. Teens are halfway between adults and children. They’re still learning to live in their own skin while managing to cope with new situations and experiences. Why are teens and self-harm so connected? Accessibility probably has a lot to do with it. Adults don’t always cope with negative emotions in healthy ways either – sometimes they turn to alcohol and drugs, lash out, or resort to self-destructive behaviors…. Continue Reading
How to Talk to a Child about Tragic Events
On Sunday 5 November, a lone gunman opened fire on worshippers at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. The perpetrator was eventually stopped but not before he had gunned down least 26 people, including children. Five days earlier, on 31 October, innocent people in New York were the target of an attack when a local man drove a rental truck down a crowded bicycle path close to the World… Continue Reading
The 5 Most Common Signs of Bullying and How to Stop It
Bullying has been around since the beginning of time. Bullying is destructive and dangerous behavior that can leave physical scars as well as mental. Those who have been bullied can suffer from PTSD and other mental illnesses. If your child is being bullied at school or even online, you may not even know it. Often those that are bullied will feel ashamed and may be embarrassed to talk about it with their parents. Silence only makes the shame worse and… Continue Reading