What is an ESA? | Faith Swick from Life of Faif

Hello, everyone! This blog is all about ESAs. What is an ESA you ask? ESA stands for emotional support animal. This is a pet that provides many things including companionship to a person who suffers from a mental or emotional disability. ESAs are unique in that unlike service animals, certification is not limited to only dogs. ESAs […]

Let’s Talk About Sex(ual Violence) in 13 Reasons Why – Guest Post by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)

Sexual violence is one of the main themes throughout the trending Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. It contributes heavily to Hannah, the main character’s, final decision to end her life. While the show has inspired some difficult conversations both about suicide and rape culture, there seems to be a missing piece to that conversation. How […]

How I Predicted the Twist Ending of 13 Reasons Why

It’s another week of Mental Health month, and we’re continuing our series of blogs about the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. To reiterate, if you have not seen the trending Netflix series, please note: 13 Reasons Why is a massively triggering show, especially for those who are struggling. Please do not watch this show unless you are […]

13 Reasons to Live

It’s week 2 of Mental Health Month, and we’re running a series of blogs about the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. To reiterate, if you have not seen the trending Netflix series, please note: 13 Reasons Why is a massively triggering show, especially for those who are struggling. Please do not watch this show unless […]

13 Real Reasons Why Someone Considers Suicide

Click here to access Talking Points for 13 Reasons Why 13 Reasons Why: What Viewers Should Consider There’s been a lot of talk about the new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which chronicles the events which lead up to a young woman’s suicide. I’ll keep this introduction spoiler-free, but once we hit the numbered list […]

4 Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems to Watch for in Your Teen | Dr. Jeff Nalin, Psy.D.

Teens often deal with serious mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, they tend to avoid reaching out for help due to embarrassment or because they think that other people will not understand. When teens do not receive the treatment they need, they are at risk for other problems such as drug and […]

Bullet Journaling & Mental Health | Faith Swick from Life of Faif

When your doctor or therapist asks how much sleep you’ve gotten do you just sit there and say “ummmm….?” Yeah, me too. I’m terrible at keeping track of self care stuff. Luckily I discovered bullet journaling. I’m going to share some of the things that work for me and some that didn’t. *I get all […]

Love First | Lorah Feldman

“Love first, ask later.” Take a moment to let that sink in. It seems like now, more than ever, there is so much fear, anger, and pain in the world. Wars are being waged overseas. Our sense of security is being threatened. People attempt to take their own lives because they can’t see past the […]

The Groundbreaking Importance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) | by Alexa Moody

Young boy sitting on abandoned steps looking at cell phone

Tonight, January 17th 2017, I had the opportunity to attend a community event hosted by Mission Central and Communities In Schools of PA revolving around a documentary called Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope. This documentary outlined the groundbreaking discovery of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their effects on the health […]

Don’t Reduce My Bright, Witty, Loving Son Who Struggled With Mental Illness To Details Of His Death | Toby Weitzman

Silhouette of a teenage boy in a dark room

After the death of my son, I wrote an article about “The do’s and don’ts” when expressing sympathy to a parent who lost a child.  I saw how uncomfortable people were, how they were a loss for words, and I offered suggestions to families and friends offering condolences. Traveling this unthinkable road I have found […]