Preventing Teen Suicide: Know the Risk Factors and Warning Signs

The following information appears courtesy of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Department of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services: What You Can Do: Talk to your child about suicide. Don’t be afraid; you will not be “putting ideas into their heads.” Asking for help is the single skill that will protect your child. Help […]

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The Latest in Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Part 4): Adolescents and Depression

THE LATEST (Part 4): Adolescents and Depression Resource: Teen Depression, A Guide for Parents and Teenagers Click on any of the following links to jump to a specific spot in this Help Guide Article: Understanding teen depression Signs and symptoms Effects of teen depression Suicide warning signs in teenagers Helping a depressed teenager Risks of […]

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Latest Trends in Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Part 3): Academic Stress

THE LATEST (Part 3): Adolescents and Stress/Academic Stress Students Who Write About Anxieties Do Better on Tests, Study Says Psychologists at the University of Chicago have discovered a quick and easy way for stressed-out students to avoid choking on a high-stakes test: Take a few minutes right before the exam to write about all those […]

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More Advice for Handling Bullying

Source: Connect with Kids “These are the people who aren’t bullied, and neither are they the bulliers, but they stand by and they really permit these actions to take place; and I believe that that’s one of the major groups that we have to focus on, and get them involved, you know and basically say ‘we’re […]

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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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Palo Alto Weekly Addresses Teen Stress and Academic Pressure

Palo Alto Weekly. September 3, 2010: What Teens Need, Part 1 of 2: A veteran Palo Alto educator reflects on the challenges of high school – and how teachers, students and parents can help “Things have changed and – again, with variations for individual temperament – things have gotten worse, tougher to handle. The summit […]

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