Navigating Family Breakups: How Separation and Divorce Impact Children and the Path to Resilience

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Family separations, including divorce or uncoupling, can be tumultuous and bring significant changes for every member of the family, particularly children. While the immediate effects can be challenging, there is growing evidence that children can not only cope but thrive with the right support. This blog post delves into how family breakups impact children, the benefits of various forms of professional support, and recent research that highlights hopeful outcomes and strategies for fostering resilience. The Impact of Separation and Divorce on Children Children’s experiences during family separations can vary: Emotional and Psychological Effects: Children might experience a spectrum of emotions such as sadness, anger, confusion, or even relief. Their understanding of the situation varies by age, and they might struggle with feelings of abandonment or guilt. Behavioral Adjustments: Emotional strain often leads to behavioral …

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10 Online Therapy Options for Adults with Childhood Trauma

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Childhood Trauma Childhood trauma refers to experiences that cause significant distress or harm during a child’s developmental years. These experiences can profoundly affect a child’s emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, potentially influencing their behavior and development into adulthood. Childhood trauma refers to distressing or harmful experiences that occur during a child’s developmental years and can have lasting effects on their well-being. In places like Los Angeles, California, and specifically areas such as West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood, childhood trauma can manifest through various forms including abuse, neglect, or exposure to household dysfunction. In these communities, childhood trauma might be influenced by factors unique to these environments. For instance, children in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood might face trauma related to high expectations or family pressures, while those in other parts of Los Angeles might experience trauma related to socioeconomic disparities or community violence. One framework for understanding …

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8 ways to support #ShadesofMentalHealth, July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

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By  Janel Teʻo, M.A., Ashley Barnes, M.S., Dominique Hall What is Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month? Celebrating Minority Mental Health Awareness Month can ensure anti-discrimination in mental health care for all individuals. Anyone should be able to seek help without hardships and fear of judgment, regardless of their cultural and social background. By raising awareness, we can provide an inclusive mental health space that supports diverse experiences and well-being for everyone.  Everyone deserves culturally competent mental health care that acknowledges and respects the intersection of their identity and experiences. #ShadesofMentalHealth Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was first recognized and nationally declared in July of 2008. This was sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group.  Bebe Moore Campbell was a Black American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. She used her voice to address the profound impact of racism, …

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Social Media and Mental Health Concerns in 2024

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Social Media Social media is a form of internet-based communication that allows people to create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. It can include text, visuals, personal messages, and other content, such as videos. Social media often features user-generated content that encourages engagement through likes, shares, comments, and discussion. Uses for social media include: Connecting with others: People can use social media to build relationships, have conversations, and connect with their audience. Sharing Information: People can use social media to share ideas, personal messages, and other content. Marketing: Brands and creators can use social media marketing to sell products or services, connect with their audience, and build their brand. Creating Content: People can use social media to create web content, such as blogs and podcast Some popular social media platforms include: TikTok Facebook Instagram Snapchat YouTube While social media can be …

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? Each year on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed to spread awareness of elder abuse and neglect with efforts to prevent it. A major goal of World Elder Abuse Day is to provide education pertaining to the social, cultural, demographic, and economic situations that impact elder abuse and neglect.  Elder abuse. An elder is anyone age 65 or older and elder abuse describes any intentional act or failure to act that causes a risk of harm to an older adult (CDC, 2024). A sad truth about elder abuse and neglect is that it often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or person the elder trusts. Elder abuse is a serious problem in the United States with about 1 in 10 older adults over the age of 60 having experienced some form of it (CDC, 2024).  …

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