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...
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...
Two weeks ago, youth leaders from San Clemente High School attended The Center at Sierra Health Foundation - Youth Suicide Prevention Programs annual convening - Tomorrow Together: Youth Suicide Prevention Program. Wellness & Prevention Center staff accompanied...
This New Year's Eve, as my family always does, we went around the dinner table and shared our New Year's resolutions. A few days before, I felt overwhelmed by the idea of a resolution. I thought of all the things I hope to achieve—personally, professionally, and...
The Wellness & Prevention Center (WPC) is a 501c3 organization founded in 2014 by concerned community members to increase access to mental health services for local teens and families. We began supporting students and their families at San Clemente High School,...
The Wellness & Prevention Center has been supporting young people and their families as they return back to school for seven years, and there are some common concerns that we hear from teens and families each year. Typically, the biggest stressor at the beginning...
In October 2022, the Wellness & Prevention Coalition started a new five year cycle of funding through the Office of National Drug Control Policy Drug-Free Communities grant program. This competitive award will support collaborative work across sectors in the San...
You might picture a zombified teen with dark circles under their eyes, scrolling mindlessly through a social media page as the symbol of today's teen lifestyle. Staying offline can be difficult for any teen as they need to keep up with every trend and stay in the loop...
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...
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...