NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI Utah’s mission is to ensure the dignity and improve the lives of those who live with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy. NAMI Utah County offers the following FREE programs: Connections Support Group – Twice monthly for individuals living with a mental health condition Family Support Group – Twice monthly for families … Continue reading Free NAMI Classes
Starting a conversation about drugs with children can be difficult and awkward. However, communication between parents and children about this difficult topic is one of the most important protective and preventative factors. It may seem early, but starting these conversations with elementary school children is appropriate. Youth can experiment with drugs and alcohol even in elementary school, and it’s a great time to start clearly … Continue reading Talking to Your Kids About Drugs
Teens today face a lot of challenges. When teens are struggling, they are more likely to make poor choices that will affect their future negatively, such as misusing drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, when a teen feels good, they thrive! As parent’s, grandparents, teachers and mentors, we can do a lot to help protect our teens against some of those challenges. Check out … Continue reading Protect Your Teens
Handling big, negative emotions can be challenging. When you become overwhelmed by sadness, worry, or anger, there are some things you can do to help you get through that moment. One strategy is called the Four A’s. This simple tool can help in many different situations. The Four A’s Lynda Silva, Ph.D. Awareness Try to notice the emotion when it is just starting—when the ‘wave’ … Continue reading How to Regulate Overwhelming Emotions
According to the Oxford Dictionary, stress is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Though we typically talk about stress negatively, not all stress is bad. Eu-stress, or good stress, is stress from positive things. Like going to a party for example, may be fun and exciting, but it can still cause strain on energy levels, … Continue reading Understanding The Signs of Stress
What is a risk factor? A risk factor is a condition that increases the likelihood of a problem behavior. Let’s use the example of heart problems, what are the risk factors? Diet, smoking, family history, not exercising, and high cholesterol. All of those things increase our risk for having a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. The more you have the more you are at … Continue reading Risk Factors
Hi my name is Ozzy Mac, This is my story of Substance Abuse and finding new hobbies. So a little about me: I grew up in American Fork. I am the oldest of three, I have two younger sisters. My family life was a little different. My mom worked a lot at the Utah State Prison and my dad was in and out of the … Continue reading Healthy Hobbies
A “norm” is a value, belief or behavior considered by a group of people to be acceptable. Most often it is unwritten and learned by interacting and observation of other people. Most cultural groups or communities follow these same norms so we come to believe that is the standard way of behaving, therefore we shape our own behavior accordingly. Norms teach us what acceptable behavior … Continue reading Most Don’t
Bullying is defined as … “an intentional act that causes harm to others, and may involve verbal harassment, verbal or non-verbal threats, physical assault, stalking, or other methods of coercion such as manipulation, blackmail, or extortion. It is aggressive behavior that intends to hurt, threaten or frighten another person. An imbalance of power between the aggressor and the victim is often involved. Bullying occurs in … Continue reading Prevent Bullying
We all want our kids to make good choices. For instance, most parents want their kids to try hard in school, or refrain from using drugs. The Social Development Strategy is a highly intuitive model that can help us influence our kids behavior. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or youth group leader, these skills are applicable and adaptable across the board. 1. Opportunities The … Continue reading Social Development Strategy