Celebrating National Nonprofit Day: A Call for Support to Continue Changing Lives
Celebrating National Nonprofit Day: A Call for Support to Continue Changing Lives On this National Nonprofit Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact that Western Youth Services has had on our community over the past five decades. For 50 years, we have been dedicated to empowering the youth, providing crucial support […]
Nurturing Young Minds: Celebrating International Self-Care Day
Nurturing Young Minds: Celebrating International Self-Care Day International Self-Care Day is July 24th and Western Youth Services is joyfully joining the global movement to promote self-care and its profound impact on children’s mental health. We believe that nurturing young minds through self-care practices is a powerful way to foster emotional well-being, resilience, and overall happiness. […]
Celebrating Independence Day Mindfully
Celebrating Independence Day Mindfully As we approach the exciting festivities of Independence Day, Western Youth Services recognizes the importance of promoting children’s mental well-being during this celebratory time. While the Fourth of July brings joy and excitement to many, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the noise, flashing lights, and unexpected loud sounds can trigger anxiety […]
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, […]
Coping with Going Back to School
Coping with Going Back to School The events leading up to the back to school season can trigger a prior adverse childhood experience. Behavioral or mental health challenges are not a “phase” or “stage” to be outgrown; for many children and teens they are very real. Trauma Experts say that these events are not singular instances […]
9 Ways to Build Resiliency this Summer
9 Ways to Build Resiliency this Summer Summer is in full swing and many children, teens, and families enjoy leaving the structure of the school year behind them and leaping right into the fun and carefree days of Summer. For some, the change presents a challenge. Structure Feels Safe The wide-open space of Summer can […]
Mental Health Champion – Gene Lyons
Mental Health Champion – Gene Lyons “Sometimes one person can make all the difference in the life of another. One man more than any other made such a difference to me, both personally and professionally, and he positively affected the course of my life in too many ways to enumerate. That man was Eugene Michael […]
Cutting to the Core
Cutting to the Core Nonsuicidal Self-Injury or self-harm, shows up in the form of intentional self-mutilation, often cutting. According to research compiled by The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine the numbers are staggering, 15% of adolescents in the US are afflicted, and the number increases from 17% to 35% to college-aged students. […]