Category Archives: mental health

Guest Posts, mental health, parenting

How to Spot Changes in Your Student’s Mental Health

mental health
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Recently released numbers from the CDC show that the number of students suffering from persistent sadness or hopelessness fell from 42% to 40% between 2021 and 2023.

“This may seem like a small shift, but in terms of the numbers we’re talking about, that means roughly 840,000 fewer U.S. students are suffering now than they were in 2021,” says Dr. Michael Olla, a psychiatrist at Valley Spring Recovery, a premier addiction treatment center. 

“However, youth mental health is still an ongoing and major problem in the USA, so it’s important to spot the signs of mental health issues early to effectively intervene. Look out for these five signs of poor mental health in kids, and approach a health professional if you do spot them.”

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college guidance, college planning, college prep, life lessons, life skills, mental health, parenting

Is Your Teen Ready for College? Key Factors to Consider

ready for college
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

As your child approaches the end of high school, the question of whether they’re ready for college looms large. It’s natural to have mixed emotions—pride, excitement, and maybe even a bit of anxiety. College is a significant step toward adulthood, but how can you tell if your teen is prepared to take it? Here are a few key factors to consider when determining if your teen is ready for college.

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college planning, mental health, parenting, senioritis, student health

Helping Your Teen Find Some Balance in their Senior Year

senior year

Your child’s senior year of high school will be their busiest yet. Not only will they be managing applications, and completing their high school exams, but they’ll also be developing and socializing as young adults. There’s a lot going on, which can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety for teens.

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to help keep them on track with school, but you also need to be there to support them during the tough times and help them unwind. Here are some of the ways you can help them find the balance, helping them get to graduation and beyond. 

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college health, mental health, student health

Tackling the Freshman 15 With a New Approach to Fitness

freshman 15

Your new college student probably returned home for the holidays with some unexpected baggage: the freshman 15. It’s a common fact that many freshmen can gain weight due to various factors—poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress eating.

However, as your student begins the new semester at college in 2023, it’s time to take a step back and rethink a new approach to fitness. They may or may not be concerned about their health but it’s a good idea to encourage them to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

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mental health, parenting

Focusing on Your Student’s Mental Health

mental health

A parent’s job is to raise children who can function independently in the adult world. But getting them to that stage can be a challenge. In the modern age, we don’t have a rite of passage, so to speak, so young people often coast into adulthood, without actually ever getting there. What’s more, there are more pressures on mental health than ever before. 

North Kansas City Schools highlights the issue in full. It points out that kids’ mental health was bad before the pandemic because of things like substance abuse, depression, bullying and exam stress. COVID-19 has made that worse by adding to the angst and fear. For many kids, restrictions have been in place for as long as they can remember, and they are wondering whether it will ever change. 

Parents, though, don’t have to sit idly by and watch their children’s mental health deteriorate. Instead, they can take action right now. Here’s what to do:

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