Intrusive thoughts are a standard part of the human experience, but for teens, in particular, they can be especially unsettling. While intrusive thoughts are common in those who struggle with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), they can also occur in people without any mental health conditions. There are a number of myths about intrusive thoughts…
Trauma vs. PTSD Traumatic events can happen to anyone at any time. Car accidents, natural disasters, and acts of violence are just some of the forms of trauma that can lead to the onset of PTSD. When trauma occurs, it can have a lasting impact on an individual’s mental and physical health. In some cases,…
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Nearly one in five teens will experience anxiety at some point during their teenage years. Although anxiety is a normal part of development, it can become debilitating if left untreated – disrupting everyday life and making routine tasks even more difficult.…
Mental Health Resources for Teens For teens, opening up about or even just identifying what they’re feeling can be challenging. So many changes are happening in their bodies and minds, and they’re still figuring out who they are and what they believe in. However, one way to advance the conversation about youth mental health is…
When you work at a place like Ascend, it takes a lot of teamwork to get our facilities running smoothly. While we’ve highlighted some of our staff that works in-house in the past, it’s time to take a look at one of our administrative team members that makes just as much of a difference to…
It’s normal to feel anxious or down from time to time. Everyone goes through ups and downs in life. However, when these feelings don’t go away and start to interfere with your daily life, you may be dealing with a disruptive mental illness that requires more in-depth intervention. Mental illness can be hard to come…
Music has always been a form of self-expression and catharsis. But for many teens, modern music feels like it was made just for them. In a time when the world can feel increasingly isolating and overwhelming, music provides a much-needed outlet for teens to express their emotions. Music and mental health can be linked, which…
When it comes to mental health, it’s easy to think of crises in terms of emergency responders swooping in to save the day. However, the standard ways of responding to mental health crises in teens are often insufficient and can even do more harm than good. Revamping crisis management for mental health in teens requires…
When it comes to life at Ascend, we love sharing what happens behind the scenes. As you get to know our staff and how they interact with our clients, you get a better sense of how we help teens and their families heal from mental health concerns that are affecting the entire family system. Every…
Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter your age. For teens, coping with grief and loss can be especially difficult. They may feel isolated and alone, like no one understands what they’re going through. Grief can also manifest itself in unexpected ways, such as angry outbursts and depression. Even things like a breakup…