For peers – Page 2

The portrayal of mental health in the media and wider world has never been favorable, but in recent years the connotations surrounding our community have diverged into two paths: we’ve become monsters and we’ve become jokes. The demonization of mental illness is present largely in the entertainment industry (e.g. in television shows like Criminal Minds)…

With the New Year underway, many of us – teens and parents included – struggle to adapt back to the daily grind of school or work. Add a couple of noble yet impractical New Year’s resolutions and we’ve got a recipe for disaster. It’s ironic that we are better at counting our faults and our…

It seems like every year the holiday season is thrust upon us, only to take over our everyday lives even before the current season has come to a close. Halloween decorations are removed or replaced with wreaths and festive lights while some haven’t even thought about Thanksgiving. We need to slow down as a society,…

Anyone can experience mental health problems. Friends and family can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. Supporting a Friend or Family Member with Mental Health Problems You can help your friend or family member by recognizing the signs of mental health problems and connecting them to professional help. Talking to friends and family about…

Sexual orientation and gender are important aspects of a young person’s identity. Understanding and expressing sexual orientation and gender and developing related identities are typical development tasks that vary across children and youth. For example, some youth may be unsure of their sexual orientation, whereas others have been clear about it since childhood and have…

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) youth and those perceived as LGBT are at an increased risk of being bullied. There are important and unique considerations for strategies to prevent and address bullying of LGBT youth. Creating a Safe Environment for LGBT Youth It is important to build a safe environment for all youth, whether they are…

Bullying can affect everyone—those who are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying. Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide. It is important to talk to kids to determine whether bullying—or something else—is a concern. Kids Who are Bullied Kids who are bullied can…

There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying—either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help. It is important to talk with children who show…

A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that affects someone emotionally. These situations may be natural, like a tornado or earthquake. They can also be caused by other people, like a car accident, crime, or terror attack.How individuals respond to traumatic events is an important area of research for the National Institute…