Warning signs that a teen is in danger for suicide

Source: BostonGlobe.com By Jan Brogan   Dr. Barry N. Feldman, director of psychiatric programs in public safety at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and an educator in suicide risk and prevention at high schools across the state, uses the acronym FACTS as a tool to outline the warning signs for teenage suicide. F — Feelings […]

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When a Teen Needs Help, Now They Can Text For It

By Monica Ippolito MFTI Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment/After-School Counseling Program Intern Parents, have you noticed the way that your teens communicate with their friends and family?  If you have spent anytime on a middle or high school campus or seen a group of teens standing around at the movie theater, mall or amusement park then you have […]

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Sexual Assualt and Online Bullying Turn Deadly for One Saratoga Teen Girl

A unesscesary tragedy occurred September 10, 2012, when 15 yr old Saratoga High School student Audrie Pott took her own life after suffering sexual assault and online humiliation at the hands of her attackers. Her parents had no knowledge of the assault on their 15-year-old daughter at the time she took her life but learned […]

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September 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.  ~Norman B. Rice The International Association for Suicide Prevention invites the world to light a candle in support of suicide prevention, suicide survivors and in memory of lost loved ones. Join your friends and neighbors in lighting a candle […]

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National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week-Speak Up for Your Child’s Mental Health

May 6-12 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week organized by the Child Mind Institute and supported by a number of adolescent health and substance abuse organizations. The following is a message from the president of the Child Mind institute, Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist. Why is it important to […]

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How to Spot the First Signs of Teen Depression

Recently About.com posted a really helpful post about the “First Signs of Teen Depression.” The post was written by About.com’s resident teen health expert Denise Witmer. Here is the beginning of Denise’s post. Many times parents of teens who have tried to or have committed suicide struggle with the idea that there were signs of […]

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Facebook

On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, Facebook announced their latest service that uses social media to provide crisis support for those  contemplating suicide or posting indicators that they may hurt themselves or someone else.  Adolescent Counseling Services is pleased to see that Facebook has partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and […]

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Palo Alto Mayor Discusses Teen Mental Health

Teen mental health has gone beyond school walls and its importance is being emphasized by local city officials to the rest of the community. On August 29th, Palo Alto Mayor Sid Espinosa, spoke with The Campanile about the academic pressures Palo Alto teens face. Mayor Espinosa stressed the importance of Project Safety Net (which ACS is actively […]

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Teen Anonymity of Online Environment Leads to Perverse Discourse

Even wonder how your teen could possibly spend so much time online? Maybe your teen’s witty nature comes alive on Facebook, maybe your teen feels more comfortable discussing personal issues when its not in person,  whatever it may be, it may also be likely that your child is engaging in in discourse that you may find […]

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Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight

Suffering with a mental illness can seem like an uphill battle, but with the right resources and tools those small battles can  be won, one day at a time.  In this article, Marsha M. Lineham, a psychologist at the University of Washington, bravely disscusses her personal struggle with severe mental illness. Diagonosed with Borderline Pesonality Disorder, Dr.lineham shares where she has come today […]

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