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Please Talk About Mental Health

Please Talk About Mental Health

In the United States, at least one in five adolescents lives with a mental health condition and less than half receive the support they need. Many young people report that they are afraid to ask for help, their concerns are ignored, or that adults tell them it is...

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AIM High Works to Prevent Substance Misuse Among Teens

AIM High Works to Prevent Substance Misuse Among Teens

Substance use prevention has been around for a long time. From the Just Say No campaign of the 80s to the OC Sheriff’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program that provides education to school age youth on the dangers of drugs. What we have learned is that...

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The Pressure to be Perfect

The Pressure to be Perfect

An essay written by Ethan Furlong, Junior at San Clemente High School and President of the Strength in Numbers club   I have a confession to make–this article took me a long time to write. I was afraid of the potential for it to turn out less-than-perfect. This...

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Tis’ the Season for Compassion

Tis’ the Season for Compassion

The holiday season can be hectic, challenging, and sometimes not the picture perfect celebrations we envision. As we still face the challenges of a long pandemic and an uncertain economy, it can seem a little less cheerful. However, taking time to pause and celebrate...

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Fentanyl: A National and Local Public Health Crisis

Fentanyl: A National and Local Public Health Crisis

There has been an alarming rise in the cases of injuries and deaths associated with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, which has become part of a growing public health crisis in our community and across the nation.   Deaths from overdoses reached a staggering 107,622 in...

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Coming Together4Teens

Coming Together4Teens

On October 1, 2022, the Wellness & Prevention Center (WPC) will host Together4Teens at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, CA. This event is planned by youth and local organizations to bring awareness to the pressures that teens face today and to...

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Back to School for Teens

Back to School for Teens

Once again, summer break flew by and here we are again getting our teens back to middle and high school and off to college. I find this a challenging time of year, as we go from easy-going beach days, sleeping in, impromptu meals at varying times of day, to a much...

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Needed: More Mental Health Workers

Needed: More Mental Health Workers

The past several years have had an impact on most people's mental health causing a surge in demand for mental health services. Young people have been impacted as early symptoms of the diseases of mental health were missed during virtual schooling, social interaction...

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