Communication Tools for Adults and Teens: IFAB’s and OFNR’s

Written By: Mariana Trejo, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program COMMUNICATIONcan be one of the most challenging aspects to our relationships, but one of the most crucial. During adolescence, most teens seek independence from parents or other adults in their lives, while many adults try to stay connected and provide guidance to them. Similarly, […]

Read More

Parenting Stress in Immigrant Families: Challenges and Strengths

Written By: Anjana Srinivasaprasad, Clinical Trainee at ACS, Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program FOR MANY IMMIGRANT PARENTS, raising children in a new country comes with both pride and pressure. They carry the responsibility of preserving cultural traditions while helping their children adapt to an unfamiliar environment. This balancing act can create unique forms of parenting […]

Read More

The Mental Health Boost of Getting Involved in Your Community

Written By: Stephanie Arias, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IN TODAY’S BUSY WORLD, many teens juggle school, activities, and social lives that often take place online or in their individual worlds. After a few years of online interactions, in-person interactions may have become more limited, leading to feelings of isolation for many teenagers […]

Read More

The Importance of School-Based Counseling

Written By: Kendall Keller, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADDRESSING the Growing Mental Health Crisis in California’s Schools Recent data from the 2022 State of Student Mental Wellness Report highlights an urgent and concerning trend in California’s youth mental health. According to the report, 63% of students experienced emotional meltdowns, 43% reported panic […]

Read More

Supporting Teen Victims of Cyberbullying

Written By: Nathan Gennaro, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program AS TEENAGERSfrequently engage with technology and social media, it is important to consider how the use of these tools may affect their mental health. Social media offers teens access to education, opportunities to connect with others, and ways to explore new hobbies. While these […]

Read More

Finding Community Can Improve Mental Health

Written By: Leslee Dominguez, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADOLESCENTS FACElife stressors like academics, relationships, food instability, economic instability, and many more stressful events. Additionally, youth who have marginalized identities have additional stressors that many might notice but do not discuss. These marginalized identities include being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, being […]

Read More

Promoting Good Mental Health in Adolescents Through Sports: A Parent’s Guide

Written By: Sarah Glass, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program ADOLESCENTS INVOLVEDin sports stand to gain more than just physical fitness—they can develop essential life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence. However, for these benefits to truly take hold and foster good mental health, it’s crucial for parents to support their children in ways […]

Read More

How to Support Your Friends in Times of Need

Written By: Catherine Franco, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program SUPPORTING YOUR FRIENDSduring tough times can be essential, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether they’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or personal challenges, knowing how to be there for them is crucial. Here are some tips to help you support your friends. 1. Listen Actively […]

Read More

Navigating Mental Health Challenges as a First-Generation Student

Written By: Dania Coreas Zamora, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IF YOU ARE THEfirst person in your family to be born in this country and are the first person to be able to attend college, then you may have heard of the term “first generation”. For many different cultural communities, being a first-generation […]

Read More

The Impact of Social Media on Teen Social Anxiety: What Families Should Know

Written By: Tracy Kraft, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD,social media has become a vital tool for teenagers to connect with their peers, share their experiences, and express themselves. While it offers benefits such as social support and online companionship, research increasingly shows that social media can contribute to mental […]

Read More