Graduation balloons fill living rooms and college dorms echo with the sounds of packing tape. It’s the start of summer, and for many young people, this time signifies the start of big life transitions. Amidst the bittersweet goodbyes and nostalgic reflections, a sense of anticipation fills the air. Change is hard but it also opens […]
When I was 11, I was diagnosed with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). At the time, I didn’t know how to handle it. I started medication and went to therapy, but what helped the most was having a supportive family and community around me. I didn’t realize how lucky I […]
My alarm clock sounds and I wake up feeling drained. I can’t remember what’s on my schedule for the day and I can barely focus on any of my tasks. I go through the motions and feel unmotivated in everything I do. This was the mental state of survival mode that I lived in for […]
For some people, the idea of spring or summertime coming is a welcome joy, but others may dread the hotter months of the year. They may even experience feelings of depression or sadness during the spring or summer months, which can be symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sometimes referred to as seasonal depression or […]
School is inevitably a stressful time for teens. Balancing school work, extracurriculars, and a social life poses many stressors. To find out more about the stress that teens experience, I interviewed 12 high school students from grades 8 through 12 about their mental health, stress levels, and what affects them. The students interviewed were from […]
TW: Sexual violence, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, depression, and PTSD. April marks the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year, the focus of awareness is on building connected communities to help us “reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.” By focusing on connection within our communities, we can promote safety and look […]
As young adults, we’re expected to keep up with so many different aspects of life that the importance of sleep can slip off our radars. For me, it was a struggle to balance college classes, homework, friends, a part-time job, and extracurriculars. That’s not to mention the added stress of living away from “home” for […]
CW: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, homicidal urges, mentions of depression and anxiety. Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The following explains my experience with OCD. When you hear the term “OCD”, you may think of lining everything up in order or keeping your room extremely clean. You may even picture Jack Nicholson’s character in […]
We live in a world where communication reigns supreme. Every word we choose to express holds the capacity to heal or to harm, so it’s important we exercise this power with great care. It is critical to recognize the significance of our language and embrace a person-centered approach in our daily interactions. You may be […]
CW: Eating disorders This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) takes place from February 26th to March 3rd with the theme of “healing in community.” EDAW is an annual campaign that focuses on educating the public about eating disorders and provides information, hope, visibility, and support to those affected by eating disorders. According to the […]