Youth Mental Health
Signs of Child Abuse or Neglect
Child abuse or child maltreatment is physical, sexual, and/or psychological maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent or a caregiver. Child abuse may include any act or failure to act by a parent or a caregiver that results in actual or potential harm to a child, and can occur in…
Read MoreMarijuana Use and Youth: A Parent's Guide
Marijuana (Cannabis) is the most commonly used drug by young people 15 to 30 years old. Although it has serious risks associated with its usage, people often times think marijuana is harmless. Marijuana impacts the development of teens. Because the bodies and brains of young people are still developing, marijuana has a higher risk of harming…
Read MorePossible Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Parents may think a child is lying if they talk about sexual abuse, especially if it involves someone the family trusts. Children can make up stories about many things but they rarely make up stories or lie about sexual matters. If a child tells you someone is harming them: listen to them. It takes a…
Read MoreChild Sexual Abuse: How to Protect Your Kids?
Child sexual abuse is when an adult or older or stronger child persuades, tricks or forces a child into sexual activity. It includes sexual acts, inappropriate touching, showing the child pornography or sexual acts, or involving them in prostitution. Threats may be used to keep the child silent. Children may be scared that they will…
Read MoreTeenage Moods: What you need to know?
Your child some days might be cheerful and excited, and other times he might seem sad, down, flat or low. These moods are a normal part of life for young people in the same way it is normal for adults. You might notice your child feeling more ups and downs than he used to, or his…
Read MoreWhat Constitutes Bullying, Harassment, Violence and e-Crime?
Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical or social behavior that causes physical or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying of any…
Read MoreProblem-solving with Teenagers
Problem-solving is an important life skill for teenagers to learn. You can help your child develop this skill by using problem-solving at home. Everybody needs to solve problems every day. But we are not born with the skills we need to do this – we have to develop them. Often you can solve problems by…
Read MoreHelp your Teenager to Deal with Depression
Help your teenager to set realistic goals Encourage your teenager to set realistic goals. Also, help them to think of different ways in which they can achieve their goals and to select the best one. Set an example for your teenager by showing them how to do things that need to be done, even tasks…
Read MoreUps and Downs: Cycles of Adolescent Moods
Ups and downs are a normal part of our lives, adolescent included. Adolescents have a lot going on physically, emotionally and socially, which helps to explain why they might be having more moods than before. Some days your child might be cheerful and excited, while other days he might seem flat, low or sad. This…
Read MoreReduce your Child’s Risk of Developing Depression and Clinical Anxiety
During adolescence, a lot of changes are occurring in a person’s behavior, thinking and emotions, as the brain is still developing. This can make it difficult to know whether a change is due to depression or clinical anxiety, or is part of normal adolescent development; during adolescence, people experience stronger emotions and are more inclined…
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