Depression Resources for Northern Virginia Youth
The World Health Organization has designated October 10th as World Mental Health Day to raise awareness of and increase support in response to mental health issues. It occurs during Mental Illness Awareness Week, which takes place this year from October 6th through 12th. If there …
Feelings are mentionable and manageable. Do not worry about having negative emotions. Taking the time to process your feelings will help you get into a happier frame of mind faster and more easily. Being aware of your mental state also will allow you to figure …
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide often is the result of an untreated mental health condition. Eight out of ten teenagers who are considering suicide will write, draw, do or say something that a “gatekeeper” in their lives will notice. Being suddenly cheerful after …
This month is the 20th anniversary of National Recovery Month, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration every September to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and to celebrate the individuals who recover from them. …
From mid-adolescence onward, girls are more than twice as likely as boys to develop a mood disorder, like anxiety or depression. By the time family members and others notice a teenager’s anhedonia or lack of interest in most things, she typically has been depressed for …
Mental illness affects all members of a family. When one child is in crisis, the resulting stress can leave parents exhausted and other siblings feeling overlooked. Many brothers and sisters of individuals with mental health issues hide their own feelings and painful emotions, which can …
As college students return to campus, it is important to remember that alcohol use is associated with poor academic performance, sexual assaults and violence. In addition, those with depression or other mental health conditions have a greater chance of developing an alcohol use disorder or …
Many people believe that volunteering will increase their stress level, adding extra obligations and consuming their downtime. However, it actually can be one of the most self-serving things an individual does. Volunteering has been linked to improvements in depressive symptoms and feelings of optimism and …
If you have health insurance, contact your provider for referrals to in-network providers. Ask about the payment structure for specialized services provided by psychologists and psychiatrists. (The latter are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.) If you have to pay out-of-pocket, determine whether you will …
When caring for an individual with a mental health issue, relatives need to work cooperatively. Family meetings allow all members to discuss issues in a safe environment and can foster positive behavior like compromising and expressing appreciation. While teenagers might find it difficult to imagine, …