A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 3): Talking With Your Children Effectively

A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 3): Talking With Your Children Effectively As soon as your child begins to talk, the questions come: “Why is the grass green?” “What’s wrong with that man sitting in the park?” If you show your child that you’re ready to give answers at any time, even if the topics […]

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A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 2): Laying the Groundwork

A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 2): Laying the Groundwork We, as parents, are the most important role models in our children’s lives. What we say and do about drugs matters a lot when it comes to the choices our children make. We can: set a positive example and get involved in our children’s lives; […]

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A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 1): It Could Be Your Child

A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (Part 1): Introduction When most parents talk about drugs, they voice some of their greatest fears and concerns. And their apprehension is well justified:  Drug addiction can destroy your relationships and family life and can harm or even kill you. Unfortunately, as the general public began to feel that the […]

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Staying Close to Your Teen

Creating Together Time Simply being in the same place at the same time with a teen can be a struggle. Teens have countless enticing ways to spend time without you — from their peers to the mall to any of their multiple screens — but there are many activities you can share, as well as ways […]

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Teaching Mindfulness to Teens

Written by Amoreena Berg, LMFT, Site Director for Adolescent Counseling Services. Starting simple is the best way to be successful with teaching mindfulness to kids. For example, an adult who begins learning meditation may start off with 15 minutes of meditation a day, for a child it would be better to start off with 5 […]

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Overbooked, Under Stress

Most doctors agree that stress contributes to nearly every known disease or condition.   Today’s lifestyles and work habits, including long hours, increased commitments and less down time, make managing stress a trying task. Our teenagers are overbooked, overwhelmed and yet driven to succeed.  Primary sources of tension include academic pressure, relationship difficulties with peers, conflicts […]

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Monday, October 4, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Better Screening Urged for Self-Injury in Teens “Not all kids who intentionally cut or burn themselves meet ‘classic profile,’ expert says.” Click here to read the rest of this article from HealthDay News. Community Works to Address Mental Health Issues “Caltrain officials have joined with local organizations and support groups to address the five young […]

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Communicating With Your Teen

Most parents will agree that communication with their child is an important part of their relationship. Being able to communicate with your child will create a healthy bond within the family and allow for an environment in which your child will thrive. Somewhere around age 13, however, this communication may become challenging. Developmentally, children change […]

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