Hiking has some serious health benefits, not just for physical health but mental too. Studies show that walking in nature could lead to lower risk of depression. Exercise in general improves mental health, with evidence showing that it can reduce anxiety, depression, and negative mood. So, we decided to put together a list of the best hiking trails in Malibu, so that you and your family can work on your mental health with a killer view. Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area With more than 500 miles of public trails running across the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s sure to be a trail for anyo ..read more

TikTok has been a blessing and a curse when it comes to mental health awareness. There has never been as much information on mental illness online as there is now, which means there’s also never been as much misinformation. With the rise of mental health disorder awareness, came the rise of self-diagnoses. And the latest viral mental illness? Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). DID, previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a rare psychiatric disorder affecting only 1.5% of the entire world’s population. So how is it possible that so many TikTok accounts are popping up left and r ..read more

Having to talk to your teenager about drugs is tricky, on both ends. Teenagers are learning to come into their identities, which means their evolving mindsets can clash with parental boundaries. Parents must guide their child to make good decisions, while still providing a safe place to talk about difficult topics.  So how do you establish limits with your child without pushing them away, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol? Start an Ongoing Conversation Talking to teens about alcohol and drugs should never be a one-and-done conversation. As your child grows up, their attitudes ..read more

We all have thoughts or ideas that enter our minds that are stressful, distressing, or unpleasant. In most cases, when this occurs, we can recognize such thoughts as meaningless, and they disappear as quickly as they appeared, never to reappear. For someone who lives with frequent, recurring intrusive thoughts, the ability to push them aside is different. For some, worrisome and unwanted thoughts occur daily (or several times each day), leading to difficulties with many aspects of their daily lives. Understanding Intrusive Thoughts Intrusive thoughts are wanted ideas and images that are often ..read more

Controlling your anger can be an incredible struggle. Most parents have been there at least once. What seems to be a harmless conversation with your teen quickly spirals out of control. Suddenly harsh words are said, and your teen stomps out of the room before slamming the door, putting the punctuation on what is the end of a confusing and unintentionally angry conversation. It is difficult for adults and teens alike to control the emotions that accompany anger. However, giving in to those emotions will often make the problem worse rather than providing any form of beneficial solution. For tee ..read more

Mood disorders primarily affect one’s emotions. Most mood disorders involve periods of extreme sadness, extreme happiness, or both. In some cases, your team may alternate between periods of elation and periods of extremely low mood. Certain mood disorders also involve other moods or emotions, such as irritability and anger. What are Mood Disorders? The term mood disorder is a broad term mental health professionals use to describe all types of depression and bipolar disorders. Mood disorders can occur in people of all ages and demographics. However, although they can occur in children, teens, a ..read more

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive, highly-disruptive patterns of thinking, mood, and behavior related to others. These patterns can lead to significant personal and social challenges. Although some conditions are more common than others, recent studies suggest up to 20% of teens have a personality disorder.  What are Personality Disorders? Personality disorders are a group of  10 mental health conditions characterized by inflexible and unhealthy thinking, feeling, and behavioral patterns. A teen living with a personality disorder ..read more

For parents concerned about their child’s relationship with drugs, emotions generally run high. How do you know if your teen is using? How do you talk to them about your concerns? Some parents choose to avoid the conversation entirely because they do not know how to cope with what their child may say. Unfortunately, avoiding or denying your teen has a toxic relationship with drugs is a potentially dangerous path. Not only will it likely enable them to continue using, but it will also delay getting them the addiction treatment help they need to overcome an addiction. Many studies show that earl ..read more

When you hear the word “bully,” the first images that often come to mind are those of a child being pushed around or harassed by another peer. Others may think of bullying that occurs in the form of online harassment on social media or other forms of virtual communication. Regardless of the type or form, bullying can have severe and sometimes lifelong effects on those who are on the receiving end. While we cannot force all youth and teens to get along and like one another, there are things that parents, caretakers, and other adults can do to reduce the prevalence of bullying. The first step is ..read more

If a friend or a member of your family has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention-deficit disorder (ADD), you are likely familiar with the prescription medication Adderall. Adderall first received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1996. In the nearly 30 years since, it has been used for individuals of most age groups to help alleviate and minimize the intrusive nature of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention-deficit disorder (ADD) symptoms. When taken as directed by a medical or mental health provider, Adderall is considered safe and e ..read more