Just like computers, we all sometimes need to shut down for a short time so that we can “reboot.” Summer days are coming to an end and the hectic schedules of school, work and extracurricular activities are gearing up. In this transitional time, you may find it hard to take care of yourself and stay focused and motivated. Here are three tips to help you reboot, with resourc ..

The transition to adulthood can be lengthy and difficult for all young adults—not just those with mental health disabilities. As our society has become more complex, the adult milestones of completing high school and/or starting college, finding a job that pays a living wage, and leaving the family home often are not achieved until age 30 or later. For young adults wi ..

Note – This article has been adapted to include the Maryland Helpline information in addition to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/) between ages 10 and 24. To acknowledge September as National Suicide Prevention Month, MCF has j ..

Like other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, substance use disorders can be successfully managed with proper treatment, yet less than 10% of people in need of treatment receive it. September, recognized as National Recovery Month (https://www.recoverymonth.gov/), offers an opportunity for each of us to help raise awareness and understanding of substan ..

Carroll County experienced a significant decline in opioid overdose deaths and non-fatal overdoses over the period January – June 2018 versus January – June 2019. Opioid-related deaths decreased from 33 during the first half of 2018 to 13 during the first half of 2019 (a decline of 60%), and non-fatal opioid overdoses decreased from 293 to 194 (a decline of 33%). This is pa ..

According to Johns Hopkins pediatrician Michael Crocetti, M.D., M.P.H., teens need 9 to 9½ hours of sleep per night. “Teenagers are going through a second developmental stage of cognitive maturation…Additional sleep supports their developing brain, as well as physical growth spurts.” Yet most teens are getting much less than 9 to 9 ½ hours of sleep each night. Wh ..

As a Family Peer Support Specialist, I often work with families who have children who have challenges in school. I understand that the start of a school year can be particularly stressful, so I want to share some of the tips that have helped my family and those that I work with. These tips range from attitude adjustments to finding resources to practicing packing lunches! T ..

Marijuana has been used, both legally and illegally for many years, but there are still many misconceptions about it—especially when it comes to its use by teens. The legalization of marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use has been growing rapidly across the country, so it’s critical that parents arm themselves with the latest information. Take the 5-questio ..

Bullying. Depression and anxiety. Raising suicide rates. Social media. Mass shootings. Today’s students are grappling with a wide range of issues inside the classroom and beyond. In a powerful movement led by high school students, lawmakers in Utah and Oregon have recently recognized the importance of the mental health of their students by allowing them to take mental healt ..

In the midst of the opioid tragedy, it is important to not lose sight of another common addiction—alcohol. It is estimated that alcohol causes about 88,000 deaths annually and is the third leading preventable cause of death in the US. Because alcohol consumption is legal for those over age 21, we sometimes forget the serious consequences of alcohol abuse. Ther ..