I admit it - I am super tired of living in a pandemic. Thankfully, I am fairly well equipped physically, socially, and emotionally to deal with this situation. There are still many days when the seemingly never-ending uncertainty and inability to control what is going...
I recently lost a very close family friend to an accidental drug overdose. He is not the first, but I hope the work I do will ensure that he is the last. I have lost too many friends to mental illness and addiction. I can’t quite put my finger on the cause of this...
Earlier this month I attended the Addressing Youth Suicide conference presented by CHOCChildrens. Sadly, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people ages 10-34. At the conference, a panel member asked the audience to close their eyes and raise their...
By Lauren Gallegos Tis the season to be jolly and enjoy all of those holiday parties. It truly is a magical time of year with celebrations and time spent with family and friends. But for some it can be a tragic time of year. Holiday parties are often flowing with...
The Wellness & Prevention Center is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA),( Services for Behavioral Health, Prevention & Intervention, Mental Health Services Act, Prop 63), to provide community wide education...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...