The pandemic has impacted almost everyone’s mental health in some way. American teens are no exception, and many in the public health sector worried how the loss of school, social activities, and milestone events might impact adolescent substance abuse. Reasons substance abuse might decrease. With teens spending more time at home during the pandemic, they have less opportunity to obtain
Read moreFor some teens, standing up for oneself is intimidating. They might worry that they will lose social status or that the other person will be angry or not like them anymore. On the flip side, some teens have no problem standing up for themselves but have trouble responding in a calm, non-confrontational way. They come across as hostile. Neither style
Read moreEvery year since 2013, teens have consistently reported higher levels of stress than adults in the American Psychological Association annual survey. In 2019, teens reported worse mental health and higher levels of anxiety and depression than all other age groups. Then 2020 came and brought a whole new level of stress to youth. Our high schoolers are very stressed! In
Read more2020 might seem like an inappropriate year to be talking about gratitude. So many things have gone wrong this year, and so many people are suffering. However, studies show that people who are grateful, appreciative or thankful are happier, more satisfied, and healthier overall in their lives than people who are not – even during crises! Finding things you are
Read moreThe pandemic has stolen so many rites of passage from our teens – and our families – this year. From school to sports to gathering with friends, our teens have lost so many events that make life special. As we approach the holidays, every American family faces the difficult choice of gathering together as usual with the risk of spreading
Read more“Self-awareness” is the ability to accurately: recognize and identify your emotions, thoughts and values; judge your own performance, strengths and limitations; understand how your feelings and thoughts influence your behavior; and respond to different social situations. The term encompasses quite a bit, but it’s really about being able to see yourself objectively. Research has shown that people with high self-awareness
Read moreFamily members don’t always get along, and brothers and sisters are no exception. Siblings often experience jealousy, competition, and disagreements. However, there is a fine line between normal rivalry and behavior that is abusive. Today’s blog explains how to tell the difference between sibling rivalry and abuse and how to prevent and address abuse. Our society generally expects fights among
Read moreMost parents work really hard to raise their children in the best way that they can. Circumstances can make that job easier or harder, depending on a parent’s own stress level. Right now, the pandemic is making it much, much harder. With job losses, school closures, and political uncertainty, 2020 has made it difficult for anyone to reasonably hold it
Read moreOctober is National Bullying Prevention Month. With so many students learning remotely this school year during the pandemic, bullying is most often taking place online, so today’s blog will focus on how we can prevent cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a real or perceived power imbalance that takes place over digital devices like cell phones,
Read moreGeneration Z (or Gen Z), people born between the years 1995-2012, are digital natives, meaning they’ve been raised with computers, have always had the internet, and grew up with phones in their hands. As our lives have become more digital, this generation of youth has had to deal with privacy issues long before they were ready. Now, due to the
Read moreThe population of the United States is very divided along political lines, and the current political climate is volatile. In addition, there have been widespread protests as a result of inequality, climate change, and many other important issues. Many young people are feeling the call to express their opinion and protest injustices. We are very fortunate that we live in
Read moreHomework has always been disliked by students, but with many American students attending school online, homework encompasses more than ever. Students may feel an overwhelming amount of work simply because it’s all at home. In a normal school year, teachers consider homework a valuable tool. It can reinforce concepts taught in class, provide new information beyond what was explained in
Read moreAs confirmed COVID-19 cases rise across the United States, parents might feel confused by or frustrated with teens who don’t seem to care about the pandemic, ignore recommended safety precautions, or believe the virus isn’t a problem at all. Parents need to remember that it is perfectly natural for adolescents to push boundaries, question authority, and embrace risk – their
Read moreParenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and there’s not one “right” way to do it. However there is scientific evidence that supports one important parenting tip: regardless of your parenting style or your family values, children thrive in households where both parents present a united front. What is a “united front”? The definition of a “united front” is a
Read moreSetting goals is an important skill that can help anyone be more successful in life. Goals can provide direction and purpose in our lives. Learning to set goals takes practice, so it’s a great idea for parents and teachers to teach this skill to teens now to help them to become more successful in adulthood. The beginning of a new
Read moreAs schools begin to reopen or start their school year online, Americans have a wide range of passionate opinions on the subject. There have been medical and educational experts that have weighed in on both sides of the issue. So who is right? No one. For every highly educated expert you put your trust in, there is an equally highly
Read moreThe school year is beginning, but it’s never looked so different. Many schools across the world are turning to online learning as a way to continue our youth’s education during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are very fortunate to have the technology to continue learning online, this format of education creates several challenges. Here is advice from experts on how
Read moreAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 2 million injuries from motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. every year. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. This means that, sadly, there’s a fair possibility your teen could be involved in a car accident before they
Read moreFor those of you with college freshmen headed to school this Fall, packing for a dorm room is a daunting task. Your teen will likely have lots of ideas about what they want to bring, but dorm rooms are very small. Take these tips from current college upperclassmen on what your teen should NOT bring to college: Your high school
Read moreNew college students have always faced an increased risk of illness from the flu, meningitis, mononucleosis and colds. But the COVID-19 pandemic brings a whole new host of worries. Some colleges are keeping instruction online to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but many universities are bringing students back to campus with new health precautions in place. However, when you’re living
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