What to Say to Someone Who Is Depressed
When someone we love is struggling with depression, it’s normal to feel unsure about what to say—but silence or distance can unintentionally deepen their pain. Offering gentle words like “I care” or “I’m here for you” may seem small, but to someone feeling isolated, they are lifelines. Empathy doesn’t require perfect phrases—just honest presence. Listening […]
Risk and Protective Factors
Preventing youth violence begins with understanding that no single cause leads a young person to commit or experience violence. Instead, it’s a mix of individual, relationship, community, and societal influences. Risk factors—such as exposure to violence at home, poor academic performance, or associating with delinquent peers—can increase the chances of violent behavior. On the other […]
How to Get Started With Therapy
Beginning therapy is a meaningful act of self-respect—it means you’re choosing to prioritize your mental well-being. While it can feel intimidating at first, just deciding to explore your options is already a major achievement. Therapy looks different for everyone, so think about what setting fits your lifestyle best. If you value privacy and flexibility, virtual […]
Cigars Are a Public Health Problem
Cigars—once seen as a niche luxury—are now aggressively marketed to youth, women, and communities of color through flavored products, low prices, and targeted advertising. The tobacco industry has designed and promoted cigars using flavors like cherry and vanilla to mask harsh tobacco, making them appealing to first-time users. From 2009 to 2020, cigar sales rose […]
Cannabis and Lung Health
Despite popular belief, smoking cannabis is not a safer alternative to tobacco—it still poses serious risks to your lung health. Whether it’s through joints, bongs, blunts, or bowls, cannabis smoke contains many of the same harmful toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. These substances can damage lung tissue, scar small blood vessels, and increase […]
26 Quotes About Letting Go
Quotes aren’t just words—they’re anchors. Whether pulled from ancient proverbs, modern thinkers, or historical legends, inspirational quotes can offer clarity and calm during life’s storms. As Jessi Gholami, LCSW, puts it, they’re “concentrated morsels of hard-won wisdom” that feel like a warm hug when we need it most. Unlike cliché slogans, meaningful quotes can ground […]
The Surprising Link Between Stress and Eczema Flare-Ups
Eczema isn’t just a surface-level condition—it’s deeply connected to your body’s stress response. When you experience stress, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that increases inflammation and suppresses your immune system. This inflammation can trigger or worsen eczema flare-ups, leading to redness, itching, and dry patches. Unfortunately, the visible symptoms often create more stress, which […]
Cannabis Users Face Substantially Higher Risk of Heart Attack
As marijuana becomes legal in more places, new research raises concerns about its impact on heart health—even in young, otherwise healthy individuals. Two recent studies presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 2025 Annual Scientific Session found that cannabis users under 50 were significantly more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and cardiovascular-related […]
Menthol Tobacco Products
Menthol is a compound found naturally in peppermint and similar plants, but it can also be made synthetically. In tobacco products like cigarettes, menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs, which reduces the harshness of the smoke and makes it easier to inhale—an effect that can increase the likelihood of addiction. Menthol […]
About Youth Violence
Youth violence doesn’t just cause immediate harm—it can have lasting consequences on a young person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Exposure to violence during adolescence can disrupt healthy development, impair decision-making, and create challenges with learning. It can also lead to difficulty forming positive connections with peers and trusted adults, as well as make it […]