When you decide to enter a treatment program for addiction recovery, there will be numerous service offerings available. For example, there are inpatient programs that require patients to live on site, as well as outpatient programs that allow people to live at home while attending appointments at a facility. Regardless of which setting you choose, most programs provide a combination of services, including support groups, individual and group therapy, and recreational activities like yoga or art therapy.  Another option that has become more popular is the use of medication-assisted treatm ..read more

You’ve probably heard about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in workplaces, schools, and medical offices. The importance of diversity also applies to mental health care, where not all individuals have equal access to quality treatment. As society makes an effort to become more inclusive and to overcome social injustices, the importance of diversity in mental health has taken center stage. Below, learn important facts about the connection between mental health and diversity. Mental Health in BIPOC Communities  DEI efforts must address mental health disparities in BIPOC (Black ..read more

You’ve probably heard people talk about the importance of self-care, both in pop culture, as well as in the mental health field. “Self-care” has become such a popular term in everyday life, but what does it mean? A search for “self-care” in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary reveals a rather simple definition: to care for oneself. This is perhaps too simplified, especially when compared to the Oxford definition, which reads, “The activity of taking care of one’s own health, appearance, or well-being.”  The latter definition suggests a more active role, which aligns better with the mean ..read more

Addiction treatment often involves a combination of medications and behavioral interventions, such as individual and group counseling. While these can be effective for improving coping skills, helping patients get through withdrawal, and overcoming underlying issues contributing to addiction, it’s also important to develop healthy habits to assist with relapse prevention and ongoing recovery. Adjunctive interventions like yoga can play a crucial role in promoting lasting recovery. Learn the details below. The Use of Yoga in Addiction Treatment There are multiple different types of yoga, but in ..read more

If you’ve read recent headlines or turned on the evening news, you’re probably aware of California’s homelessness problem. The rates of homelessness across the state have become so high that reporters have labeled the situation a “crisis.” The latest data show just how bleak the situation is, and in response, Governor Newsom is taking action. His latest proposal involves creating 10,000 new community behavioral health beds and housing units across the state, but before this solution can become a reality, it must receive voter approval. California Homelessness Statistics  Before diving int ..read more

College is an exciting time of life for many students. For the first time, they’re away from parents, and they’re learning what it’s like to make their own decisions, which can include taking some responsibility for their own healthcare and finances. Unfortunately, some students may develop addictions during college. In fact, a recent study found that 39.6% of young adults attending college had a substance use disorder within the previous year.  Among those with a substance use disorder, very few receive treatment, and sustained abstinence is rare. Cost is one barrier to treatment, and ma ..read more

Youth sports come with many benefits, and recent studies show that sports participation has a positive effect on wellbeing, as long as a child’s maturity level is considered, and their training load is appropriate for their age and abilities. While sports can teach important life skills, such as discipline, commitment, and work ethic, there can be a downside to sports participation. When parents and coaches have reasonable expectations, athletics can boost youth mental health, but on the other hand, unreasonable demands and overtraining can damage psychological wellbeing. Mental Health Benefit ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already growing youth mental health crisis, and in the aftermath of the pandemic, it’s becoming clear that parents, policy makers, and mental health advocates need to take action to promote youth mental health. In California, Santa Barbara recently launched the “It’s Okay Not to be Okay” Initiative to do just that. This campaign is getting the conversation started, and hopefully promoting additional action throughout the Santa Barbara area.  The Background of the Campaign  Recently, county officials in Santa Barbara announced the launch of the “It ..read more

With the reduced stigma related to caring for mental health, there has been increased attention paid to strategies that can be helpful for promoting psychological well-being. While self-care seems to be the focus of most recommendations, there are other ways to improve your overall mental health. For some people, practicing forgiveness can alleviate distress and improve mental health functioning.  The Importance of Forgiveness  There have been varying definitions of forgiveness in the psychology literature, but in general, forgiveness refers to replacing negative thoughts and emotion ..read more

Generation Z or “Gen Z” is composed of individuals born between 1997 and 2012, meaning the youngest members of this generation will turn 11 at some point in 2023, and the oldest members will have their 26th birthdays during the year. Given that current high school and college-aged students belong to Generation Z, there has been interest in rates of substance abuse in this cohort. The latest statistics tell both good and bad news; on the one hand, rates of alcohol abuse are declining among teens and young adults. On the other hand, Gen Z seems to be more susceptible than previous generations to ..read more