Blog
Healthy Expectations for Teens: Finding the Balance Between Motivation and Pressure
At lunchtime a few times each month, I watch teens stream into our Strength In Numbers club meetings — some rushing in from a test, others from practice, and a few just looking for a place to breathe. Across the three high schools I support, each club has nearly 60...
Advancing Smoke-Free Spaces in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano
Across Southern California, tobacco-related concerns continue to affect residents’ daily lives. Increased exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke in homes and public spaces, along with rising youth use of e-cigarettes, vapes, and flavored tobacco products, has...
Navigating Youth Substance Use Pressure During the Holidays
As we approach the holiday season and youth head into winter break, it’s important to learn ways to navigate substance use prevention during this time. While the holidays are often associated with joy, celebration, and time with loved ones, they can also bring...
Navigating Grief and Loss During the Holidays By Deisy Kim, LPCC, Bilingual Therapist, Wellness & Prevention Center
The holiday season is here, and many of us are fortunate to be surrounded by loved ones, good food, and holiday cheer. The season almost seems to demand that we feel joyful and merry, but the holidays can also bring forth painful memories and emotions. Holidays hold...
Youth Substance Use Trends: What Parents and Communities Need to Know
As we enter Substance Use Prevention Month, and prepare for Red Ribbon Week in our schools, we want to share information about current drug trends among youth. Our goal is to give parents and community members helpful information and tips for talking with the young...
allcove San Juan Capistrano opens doors to youth 12-25
The doors are open, the mission is strong, and the vision is youth-led: allcove San Juan Capistrano has officially launched! On September 3rd, the Wellness and Prevention Center celebrated the opening of its newest initiative — allcove, a welcoming drop-in center for...
Helping Stop Underage Drinking in Orange County
In Orange County, many kids, even middle schoolers, say it's easy or very easy to get alcohol. Briana J, age 17 states - “Underage drinking is everywhere—it’s easy to get and even middle schoolers have access. At school, you can tell when someone’s been drinking by...
Another Year of Impact at the Wellness & Prevention Center
The Wellness & Prevention Center is a local non-profit providing prevention education and clinical mental health education to youth and families in southern Orange County. As we wrap up our 11th year serving the community, we would like to share some of the...
"Never A Bother" Campaign Leaves Lasting Impact on Youth Suicide Prevention in South Orange County and Beyond Over the past two years, the Wellness & Prevention Center has proudly participated in a powerful statewide initiative aimed at reducing youth suicide: the...
Youth Mental Health – Help Us Raise Awareness and Build Hope
In the 2023–2024 school year, 23% of 7th grade students in Capistrano Unified reported feeling so sad or helpless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some of their normal activities. By 11th grade, this number rises to 28% (California...
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