It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious from time to time — especially during adolescence, a phase of life filled with change and uncertainty. But sometimes, these feelings of anxiety can become overwhelming and persistent. Everyday tasks can feel difficult, and these anxious thoughts can feed into unhealthy habits. If you’ve been feeling excessively worried, stressed, or panicked, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to seek help. Untreated anxiety isn’t likely to go away on its own and can even worsen over time. Knowing where to turn for help can make all the diffe ..read more

Feeling like you’re constantly on edge, overthinking every little thing, and experiencing physical symptoms like muscle tension or heart palpitations may be signs of anxiety. While it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, worry and fear that interfere with daily life are red flags for a possible anxiety disorder. For teens, it’s especially important to recognize the warning signs of anxiety and seek help if needed. If you’re looking for ways to identify and address your anxiety, read this blog for an overview of anxiety in teens and what treatment options may help. What Causes Anxiety in ..read more

Resilience is a superpower that’s easy to overlook. It’s the ability to bounce back when you’re dealing with adversity, adapt to changing situations, and keep going in the face of hardship. As a teen, life will throw you many curveballs. Whether it’s a failing grade, friendship drama, or family problems, challenges are inevitable. That’s where resilience comes in — it gives you the ability to stay strong and persevere through tough times. Goal-directing strategies, which are specific techniques to help you achieve your goals, can be a big help in increasing your resilience so you can deal with ..read more

Are you struggling with a teenager who seems indifferent to personal hygiene? You’re not alone. Many parents face this issue as their teens transition from childhood to adulthood. Hygiene indifference in teens, a common but often overlooked issue, can stem from various factors, including self-esteem issues, rebellion, and even mental health concerns. Poor hygiene and mental health struggles can be connected, so hygiene problems should not be dismissed as typical teenage behavior. Learn more about the root causes of hygiene indifference to understand and address the concerns your teen may be fa ..read more

If you’re new to Ascend and you’re trying to learn more about what we do behind the scenes, our Day In The Life series is a great place to start. Here, we offer you a look into what happens behind the scenes at our facilities and what you can expect from your time with us. While you might think that everything at Ascend revolves around therapy and facility management, there’s actually a ton of administrative work that goes into what we do, including compliance administration. Discover what our compliance admin, Cristina, does with her day-to-day and how her work ensures our clients thrive! Wha ..read more

For many people, especially teens, seeking help when they are struggling with mental health challenges can be difficult. It can feel overwhelming to reach out for support, let alone consider being admitted to a residential mental health facility. However, this type of care can be a helpful option for those in need of more intensive treatment. While there are some myths and misconceptions about what residential treatment is like, the reality is that these programs can provide a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. Ascend has several teen residential treatment mental health ce ..read more

Note for readers: This post discusses self-harm. Self-harm is a complex and sensitive topic that can be difficult to talk about. Teens who are struggling with self-harm might not understand exactly why they do it, which makes it even harder to cope. However, understanding different self-harm motivations can help teens to identify and address the root causes of their behaviors. While support from therapists and other mental health professionals is the best way to assess and understand self-harm, we can begin to explore a few important insights that can change negative behaviors by recognizing s ..read more

If you’ve been around here long enough, you know all about our staff spotlights, where we showcase a day in the life of one of our team members. If not, welcome! Today, we’re taking a look behind the scenes at what a Strategic Growth Manager does. Meet Noah! He’s our Strategic Growth Manager, and his job is all about building relationships. Whether it’s with the families that come to us for treatment or other facilities and providers in our community, learn how he manages his everyday tasks here. What Is A Strategic Growth Manager? We already mentioned that Noah’s job is about building relatio ..read more

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet many people neglect their mental wellness due to stigma, lack of awareness, or fear of judgment. And while many people are trained in what to do if they see someone in a physical health crisis, like abdominal thrusts if someone is choking or CPR if they’ve stopped breathing, there are few resources available to help people identify and respond to a mental health crisis. That’s where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) comes in. MHFA is an internationally recognized organization that teaches people about the signs of mental health conditions ..read more

Mental health facilities like Ascend provide essential care for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Unfortunately, a shortage of beds in mental health facilities has led to long wait lists before admittance. The lack of beds for teen mental health treatment, in particular, has kept teens from being able to access the care they need, which can make symptoms worse. If you need to know what to expect from worsening mental health concerns or what coping strategies can help you survive, read this blog from our experts. Effects of a Mental Health Facility Bed Shortage on ..read more