According to a recent longitudinal study, the gap between male and female youth suicide rates is narrowing. Historically, there has been a significant gender difference in completed and attempted suicides that has been associated with the types of methods chosen, with boys opting for more...
The Mayo Clinic is starting a new study on delayed sleep phase disorder in teens, claiming “the majority of high school and middle school students are chronically sleep-deprived.” While some school districts have acknowledged the link between sleep deprivation and teen mental health issues, it...
A recent study by Oxford University researchers suggested that the amount of time children spend on social media only has a small effect on their happiness. They believe that the link between social media and teen mental health is not inconclusive but rather inconsistent depending...
Nancy Reagan rolled out her “Just Say No” campaign, which was followed by the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in the 80s. Although their efforts in preventing teen drug use were well-intentioned, their abstinence models have been criticized for oversimplifying the problem and being...
The suicide rate among teenagers has more than doubled in the past decade and is not showing signs of slowing down. While many parents are concerned that their children could become statistics, a recent study in the journal Pediatrics reported that fifty percent of parents...
Teenagers who start drinking young may argue that drinking alcohol is normalized socially by people who are of legal drinking age. Teenagers are more likely to drink for different reasons than adults and tend to drink more heavily with the intention of getting drunk. One...
Nutrition plays a critical role in our ability to function. Mood and food are two elements that work together for success. The brain is working 24/7 to make keep us functioning properly. The brain regulates mood, thoughts, movements, breathing, heartbeat, and senses. In order for...
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth. The subject is not something that is hushed from social media. Suicide memes are becoming more popular on social media. While the intention of these memes has been questioned, it is thought that they are...
Watching someone you love struggle with an eating disorder can be extremely painful. It can be frustrating knowing the “simple’ solution is within reach, but you just can’t touch it. Eating disorders are not just physical, they’re mental too. Individuals have many internal conflicts that...
Sleep is a critical component necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Overtime, studies have shown that sleep problems increases the likelihood and intensity of suicidal thoughts or actions. The teenage years present themselves as a time in which staying up late/pulling an all-nighter has no...