Blog
Why We Need Gratitude
Earlier this month we asked members of our Facebook group ParentingSouthOCTeens to share their holiday family traditions. It started a wonderful conversation among the group about how holidays bring together families in unique ways. With many of us feeling...
Teens Drink Less When They Know the Facts
Local Schools See Lower Rates of Teen Drinking Thanks to a New Community Education Campaign An Update from Mission Hospital via the Wellness & Prevention Center Alcohol is everywhere: it’s on billboards, in magazines and movies, and in many homes. Seeing...
Do You Know About Wellness & Prevention Center Mental Health Services?
Last month, I had the opportunity to introduce you to our Drug Free Communities Wellness & Prevention Coalition leadership team and the important work that the Wellness & Prevention Center does to lower substance use among our youth. This month, I would like...
Here’s What We’ve Accomplished Over the Last 3 Years
One of the most important responsibilities of the Wellness & Prevention Center staff is our leadership of the Wellness & Prevention Coalition. The Wellness & Prevention (WP) Coalition is part of the Federal Office of National Drug Control Policies Drug...
Summertime and the Importance of Community
I love the joy on teens faces on the last day of school, but this love is tempered by a little bit of fear as our adolescents are set free to roam the beaches, roads and neighborhoods of South Orange county. These carefree days are an important part of teens growth...
How WPC Makes a Difference in our Community
By Lauren Gallegos Two years ago, I had the opportunity to return to work in my hometown of San Clemente as the Director of the Wellness & Prevention Centers Drug Free Communities Coalition. I was familiar with the work the Wellness & Prevention Center was...
Why We Must Talk About Mental Health
A recent study led by the World Health Organization found that 35% of college freshmen in eight countries struggle with mental illness. The two most commonly diagnosed disorders are depression and generalized anxiety. Some researchers suggest that part of this rise is...
Youth Can Lead Community Change
By Amarii Sandoval, Wellness & Prevention Coalition Youth Leadership Member In February of this year I had the opportunity to attend the 29th Annual National Leadership Forum led by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). The Forum was made up of...
Helping Families for Over 5 Years!
The mission of the Wellness & Prevention Center is to help youth and families lead healthy lives. When we founded the nonprofit in 2014, the number of youth with substance use problems and mental health symptoms were on the rise and connecting to resources was...
Under Pressure: Coping With Teen Pressure
I have asked Ashley Granger to write this month’s column as a preview to our January Teen Toolbox panel presentation. The pressures on our teens continue to increase, and sadly suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 11-24, second only to...