Fostering Inclusivity: Recognizing National Minority Mental Health Month
Fostering Inclusivity: Recognizing National Minority Mental Health Month As we come together to celebrate National Minority Mental Health Month, Western Youth Services extends its unwavering support to all individuals and communities affected by mental health disparities. This annual observance provides an opportunity to acknowledge the historical and ongoing struggles faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and […]
Honoring Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Resilience, and Equality
Honoring Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Resilience, and Equality Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, holds profound historical significance as a celebration of freedom and equality. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their emancipation, marking the end of slavery in the United States. In this blog […]
Mental Health Awareness in Action
Mental Health Awareness in Action Mental health awareness and education are paramount to our daily work. Throughout the pandemic, two things kept rising to the top (1) mindfulness and (2) people want to learn more about mental health. This article includes some of the mindfulness techniques that we use with our clients, in our programs, […]
The Heartbeat Goes On
The Heartbeat Goes On Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting all of our lives. Stress, fear, and anxiety are heightened; we want you to know that help is available and you are not alone. Western Youth Services (WYS) has been part of the heartbeat of the Orange County, California community since 1972 and we are here […]
Understanding Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Understanding Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse High school is an exciting time filled with new experiences. Adolescents are hardwired to take risks and try out “adult” behaviors. It makes sense that almost 70 percent of high school seniors have tried alcohol, and 50 percent have taken an illegal drug such as marijuana. There is a […]
Understanding Teen Loneliness and Social Isolation
Understanding Teen Loneliness and Social Isolation One of the joys and horrors for adolescents is navigating the many transitions they experience in a very short period of time. There are transitions and changes to educational environments we can all remember, such as moving from middle school to high school and then on to college or […]
Teenage Anxiety a Rapidly Growing Mental Health Concern
Teenage Anxiety a Rapidly Growing Mental Health Concern A recent article in the NY Times titled: Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety? sheds light on how anxiety is the most common mental-health disorder affecting nearly one-third of both adolescents and adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. “Anxiety is […]
13 Reasons Why We MUST Talk About Teen Mental Health
13 Reasons Why We MUST Talk About Teen Mental Health Last year, the New York Times reported that the suicide rate in the United States had hit a 30 year high, particularly affecting adolescent girls. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young adults ages 15-24, and reports state that most teens who […]
Take the Anxiety Out of the Back to School Season
Take the Anxiety Out of the Back to School Season As we prepare for the back to school season, we know from experience that preparation is more than school supplies and shopping. This is a stressful time for families and children, but even more so for those who experience behavioral or mental health concerns. To […]
Mental Health Issues Are Real, Even For Kids
Mental Health Issues Are Real, Even For Kids One in five children, nearly 15 million nationally, face mental health issues. In Orange County alone, mental illness affects 150,000 kids. Warning signs such as changes in eating or sleeping habits, self-doubt, anxiety, depression or emotional issues at school are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Thanks to the […]