Young Adult Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Resources

We’re dedicated to empowering young adults to build the skills and healthy habits they need to thrive. To that end, we’ve compiled a robust library of articles and research to inform and inspire our readers as they work toward greater happiness, health, and meaning in life.
Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest resources delivered to your inbox.

Mental Health
Featured 768x491 Glimmers

What Are Glimmers and Why Are They Good for You?

Reading Time: 7 minutesHas a beautiful sunset ever taken your breath away? Are there moments when you stop what you’re doing to delight in a child’s smile, the taste of your favorite fruit, or the brilliance of sunshine glinting on fresh snow? If so, you’ve experienced glimmers. If you paused to notice the pleasure you were experiencing and […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x holiday boundaries

5 Tips for Setting Boundaries Around Holiday Gatherings

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe holidays are full of fun, festivity, and… awkward conversations with relatives. Bringing everyone together is sometimes a recipe for tension, even conflict, and you may find yourself wanting to hide under the table or find something besides marshmallows to set on fire. Creating boundaries before holiday gatherings can help you navigate moments where values […]
CO-Occurring
Featured x ()

How to Drink Less During the Holidays

Reading Time: 7 minutesFor many people, particularly young adults, holiday celebrations don’t feel complete without a festive drink—or maybe two or three. Whether it’s a holiday meal with family or a New Year’s Eve cocktail party, seasonal events are often inseparable from alcohol consumption. Stress can also play a role in holiday drinking. Coming home for the holidays […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x Healthy Habits

7 Healthy Habits to Hold Onto During the Holidays

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration. But for young adults balancing independence, family dynamics, mental health, and the pressures of a packed calendar, this time of year can also bring heightened stress.  Routines get disrupted. Sleep becomes irregular. Academic or job-related workloads often spike before year-end deadlines. […]
Mental Health
NI Depressed At Night Featured Image JPEG

Why Do I Feel Depressed at Night?

Reading Time: 7 minutesDo you wish you knew how to stop feeling sad at night? If so, you’re not alone. The chat boards light up post-midnight with comments from people overcome by feelings of depression at night. “The silence of every night is a reminder of how alone I feel,” says one Reddit user. “I’m trapped in my […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x ChosenFamily

The Power of Chosen Family, and How to Find It

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe often hear how important family is, especially during the holidays, when every media platform depicts a wholesome, perfectly put-together family portrait. But for most people, it’s not this idealized image. Instead, almost 1 in 4 adults is stressed about family conflicts during the holidays. This can easily lead to strained relationships and even cutting ties altogether.   […]
Family Connection
NI Website Resources Holiday Regression Feature 768x491 1

Holiday Regression in Young Adults: What It Is and How to Avoid It 

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhen you’re home for the holidays, do you find yourself acting like a moody teenager again, getting irritated at every word your parents say? Maybe being back home makes you want to push your parents’ buttons, just because you can. Or you might find that no matter how much has changed since you lived at […]
Mental Health
Featured x Pre party Anxiety

How to Cope with Pre-Party Anxiety

Reading Time: 7 minutesThe holiday season is full of gatherings and parties with friends, family, and coworkers. While everyone else seems to be looking forward to all the socializing, you might be dreading it.  Unease or distress that starts days or even weeks before an event isn’t just shyness or introversion. It might be pre-party anxiety, a form […]
CO-Occurring
NI Resources Hangziety Feature 768x491 1

Hangxiety: The Link Between Alcohol and Anxiety

Reading Time: 7 minutesYou might not know what it’s called, but you may have experienced it: a sense of impending doom and feelings of shame and worry the morning after a night of drinking. These emotions are paired with physical symptoms, like shakiness and nausea. This uncomfortable state is known as hangxiety (sometimes spelled hangziety or hanxiety). Also […]
Mental Health
NI Website Image Resources AnxietySpiral x Feature

Understanding Anxiety Spirals and How to Stop Them

Reading Time: 12 minutesYou sit at your desk, staring at an upcoming assignment. What begins as a simple worry of “I might not finish on time” quickly turns into, “If I miss this deadline, I’ll fail the class. I’ll get kicked out of school. I’ll disappoint everyone.” Your heart races, your breathing gets shallow, and the original concern […]
Empowering Young Adults
NI Website Image Resources ArguingText x Feature

The Pros and Cons of Arguing by Text

Reading Time: 6 minutesCommunication is at the heart of healthy friendships and romantic relationships. And texting with loved ones can support that goal, from checking in to coordinate meet-ups to sharing memes and photos. But arguing by text is often a different story. While texting provides an easy way to connect, it’s not always the best option for […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 1

Mental Health Masking: What It Means and How to Recognize It

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe all mask our true feelings at times to hide our vulnerability. Even though we may be worried about money, angry at a friend, blue from a break-up, or exhausted with work, we still answer “Fine” or “Good” when people ask how we are. People with mental health issues, however, may routinely hide their true […]
Mental Health
Featured x SPAM

Preventing Suicide Among Young Adults: Statistics and Strategies

Reading Time: 6 minutesYoung adults are struggling with their mental health at historically high rates. Almost 14 percent of adults ages 18–25 have serious thoughts of suicide, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Furthermore, the suicide rate for ages 10 to 24 years old increased by 57 percent in the […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x what to say

10 Things to Say to Someone with Depression 

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhen someone you care about is navigating the symptoms of depression, it’s natural to feel unsure about what to do or say. You don’t want to say the wrong thing, but staying silent doesn’t feel right either. Watching a loved one cope with a complex disorder can be heartbreaking, especially when you’re not sure how […]
Mental Health
Featured Physical Symptoms Anxiety

10 Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Reading Time: 7 minutesAnxiety is a full-body experience. It often presents through physical symptoms, such as a tight chest, upset stomach, racing heart, or shaky hands. These sensations can be confusing and frightening, making the anxious feelings worse.   The connection between anxiety and physical discomfort is real. And understanding the mind-body connection can help people recognize what’s happening […]
CO-Occurring
NI Website Image Resources DMTUse x Feature

The Latest Research on Young Adult DMT Use

Reading Time: 6 minutesPsychedelic drugs like DMT have been around for a long time, but their popularity has increased in recent years. In fact, last year 10 percent of young adults tried a hallucinogenic drug like DMT—a record high among this age group. Why are so many young adults using DMT and other psychedelics? Some, especially college students, […]
Mental Health
Featured x Types of Anxiety

Types of Anxiety

Reading Time: 7 minutesAnxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States. Understanding what causes anxiety and how it is treated can help you find the path to recovery. You don’t have to be held hostage to overwhelming symptoms; you can learn how to manage anxiety and resolve the underlying issues that may be […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x Work Anxiety

Overcoming Work Anxiety: Strategies for a Healthier Mindset 

Reading Time: 6 minutesIf you work in a high-stress environment and feel on edge during your workday, chances are you’ve experienced work anxiety. Work anxiety can feel like racing thoughts during your commute, constant worrying about deadlines, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues. This type of anxiety is different from feeling occasionally stressed at work. It’s […]
Mental Health
NI Website Image Resources MentalHealthImpactEnvironment x Feature

How Does Your Physical Environment Affect You and Your Mental Health?

Reading Time: 6 minutesAs college students head to campus, videos and images of elaborately decorated dorm rooms have begun to sprout up across TikTok and Instagram. The Washington Post recently reported that students and parents are spending thousands of dollars to outfit their rooms, sometimes even hiring professional interior decorators to transform the bare-bones spaces. But what’s the […]
Mental Health
NI Loneliness Featured Image JPEG

Loneliness and Depression in Young Adults

Reading Time: 7 minutesEmerging adults are the loneliest generation, despite being more social and more plugged-in than other age groups. Loneliness peaks between the ages of 18 and 29, according to a new research review. And 1 in every 3 young adults reports feeling lonely. Moreover, loneliness increases the risk of mental health conditions—creating an epidemic of loneliness […]
CO-Occurring
Featured x Eating Disorders College

Eating Disorders in College Students: Risk Factors, Signs, and 5 Ways to Help

Reading Time: 8 minutesCollege is a time of growth, independence, and new beginnings. However, for many young adults, it also comes with overwhelming pressure, emotional strain, and a deep sense of uncertainty. As a result, some students turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like disordered eating. They might start restricting foods, bingeing late at night while studying, or obsessing over […]
Mental Health
Featured x SummerScaries

The Summer Scaries: 7 Tips for Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Summer

Reading Time: 7 minutesEver hear of the Sunday scaries—that creeping sense of dread that comes over you on Sunday night, as school or work looms closer? For young adults preparing for college or the workplace, summer can feel like an anxious Sunday night times 100. The “summer scaries” can be triggered by high expectations for the future, worry about […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x Slowmaxxing

10 Ways to Slowmaxx Your Life 

Reading Time: 7 minutesA new TikTok trend, slowmaxxing, has been gaining traction recently. And while it’s popular on social media, in some ways it represents the opposite of the fast-moving, never-ending social media scroll. At its core, slowmaxxing means intentionally slowing down during everyday tasks. It’s about choosing to prioritize being present, in small, manageable ways. And it’s […]
Mental Health
High Functioning Depression x

What Is High-Functioning Depression? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Reading Time: 6 minutesYou’re able to stay on top of your coursework or job responsibilities. You show up on time to your obligations, stay organized, and look totally put together. There’s no way you could be depressed, right? Not true. High-functioning depression is a condition in which a depressed person is able to mask their symptoms and handle […]
Mental Health
NI Website Image Resources LoveIslandInsights Feature x

5 Mental Health Insights from ‘Love Island USA’

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhether you’re a Love Island superfan or you’ve never seen an episode, the reality dating show has likely wormed its way into your consciousness over the last couple of months. Season 7 of the US version of the franchise has been one of the most talked-about shows this year—everywhere from TikTok to the New York Times. The season […]
Mental Health
NI Website Image Resources CrashingOut x Feature

10 Signs You’re About to Crash Out

Reading Time: 6 minutesIf you’ve been on social media lately, you might’ve noticed a trending phrase: “crashing out.” Whether it’s someone rage-quitting their job, destroying property in a fit of anger, or spiraling into a breakdown, the term has become shorthand for totally losing control. Crashing out is often talked about in a jokey or casual way, but […]
Mental Health
Featured x Burden

How to Stop Feeling Like a Burden

Reading Time: 7 minutesFeeling like a burden is a deeply common and painful experience, especially for young adults. According to the American Psychological Association, 71 percent of people aged 18–35 don’t talk about their stress because they worry about being a burden to others. Feeling like a burden to family members, friends, partners, or others can make it […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x Feeling Left Out

What to Do When You’re Feeling Left Out  

Reading Time: 6 minutesFeeling left out, excluded, or rejected can be incredibly painful. We all experience it at one time or another, but it still hurts. On the worst days, it can seem like everyone else is doing well, having fun, or enjoying life—without you.   But feeling left out may be less about your relationships with others, and […]
Empowering Young Adults
NI Website Image Resources EarlyAdulthoodChallenges x Feature

The Biggest Young Adult Challenges for Gen Z

Reading Time: 6 minutesEmerging adults, defined as those between the ages of 18 and 29, are often more susceptible to mental health issues. That’s because they’re still establishing their personal identity, finding a direction in life, and forming relationships. But young adults today are facing challenges now that young adults just 10 years ago weren’t up against, from […]
Mental Health
Featured x Male Suicide

The Truth About Suicide in Young Men

Reading Time: 9 minutesWhen we think about mental health, it’s easy to overlook the struggles that young males face. Society often portrays men as tough, unemotional, and invincible. But the truth is, many young adult males are silently battling feelings of hopelessness and despair. Suicides among young men have increased at alarmingly high rate. In fact, men are […]
Mental Health
NI YA Struggling Featured Image JPEG

10 Signs Your Young Adult Is Struggling

Reading Time: 9 minutesParent intuition is real. Parents usually have a gut feeling when something isn’t right with their child, even when that child is a young adult who’s not living at home anymore. And those instincts are often accurate. However, because young adulthood is such a tumultuous time, parents sometimes recognize the signs that a young adult […]
Mental Health
Featured x Tired

Why Am I Tired All the Time? The Link Between Mental Health and Fatigue

Reading Time: 7 minutesIf you feel exhausted all the time, even after a full night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Millions of young adults struggle with ongoing fatigue, low energy, and a persistent sense of exhaustion that can’t be fixed with coffee or rest. And often, the root cause isn’t just physical. Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, […]
Mental Health
Featured x

The Emotional Rollercoaster: What Bipolar Disorder Feels Like

Reading Time: 7 minutesYoung adulthood should be a time of exploration and growth, but for those living with bipolar disorder, every day can feel like an unpredictable rollercoaster. The intense highs of mania can quickly shift to the crushing lows of depression, creating a whirlwind of emotions that can be downright debilitating. Living with bipolar disorder can severely […]
Mental Health
NI Post College Featured Image JPEG

Post-College Depression: Why It’s So Common and How to Cope

Reading Time: 7 minutesCollege commencement—“the first day of the rest of your life.” After four long years, countless cram sessions, and too many all-nighters, you’ve finally made it. There’s nothing quite like that moment when you throw your cap in the air. But completing this stage of life can increase a graduate’s likelihood of experiencing what’s known as […]
Mental Health
NI Website Resources Languishing x Feature

7 Ways Young Adults Can Move from Languishing to Flourishing

Reading Time: 5 minutesMental health isn’t simply “good” or “bad”—it’s a spectrum that encompasses a wide range of experiences and symptoms. On one end of that spectrum is depression, characterized by feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. On the other end is flourishing: a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning. And in the middle is what’s known as languishing—when […]
Mental Health
Featured x Adoption

The Mental Health Effects of Being Adopted

Reading Time: 6 minutesYoung adulthood is an important time of identity formation. And for young people who are adopted, that process can sometimes be more complicated. Many adoptees struggle with uncertainty about who they are, in terms of their biological lineage, adoptive parents, childhood experiences, cultural history, and/or ethnic identity. However, with compassion and support, adoptees can develop […]
Mental Health
NI Overwhelmed Featured Image JPEG

7 Tips for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Reading Time: 8 minutesFor young adults, life is often overwhelming. There are many reasons for feeling overwhelmed during these formative years. Academic pressure, financial concerns, relationship issues, work responsibilities, fear about the environment and politics … not to mention the ongoing challenge of establishing your identity and sense of self as a young adult.  It’s easy to feel overwhelmed sometimes when there’s so […]
Mental Health
Perfectionism OCD

What Is Perfectionism OCD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe all know people who are hyper-focused on making sure things are done properly—whether they’re writing a research paper, sending an email, washing a dish, or ordering in a restaurant. There’s nothing wrong with trying to do your best. But people who feel tormented by their perfectionistic thoughts and behavior may be suffering from a […]
Mental Health
Featured x Relationship Depression

What Is Relationship Depression?

Reading Time: 7 minutesRelationships aren’t always smooth sailing. As with most important parts of life, long-term relationships often involve ups and downs, periods of uncertainty, and hurt feelings. But if you find yourself feeling sad and hopeless about how a relationship is going, on more days than not, you may be experiencing relationship depression.   It’s important to know […]
Treatment
NH Outcomes Website ResourceImages Graphics x

Download Our Report to Learn How Treatment Works

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWant to learn more about how Newport treatment works? Download our new Science of Healing report to find out how our clinical model supports young adults to heal from anxiety, depression, traumatic distress, OCD, and other conditions. Plus, learn how our treatment supports family relationships, as well as young people’s ability to function at work […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x spring cleaning

6 Ways to ‘Spring Clean’ Your Mind for Better Mental Health 

Reading Time: 7 minutesSpring is full of symbolism, from renewal and rebirth to growth and new beginnings. There’s a new energy in the air and desire to give our space a refresh, which is why “spring cleaning” has become a customary ritual in our homes. It feels good to remove the clutter and get organized.  The same principle […]
Mental Health
Featured x Thoughts

7 Kinds of Thoughts You Shouldn’t Dismiss

Reading Time: 5 minutesOur brains never stop turning. And while some of our thoughts are necessary and important, others aren’t worth focusing on. However, there are some kinds of thoughts that you should always pay attention to, because they may be telling you that you need mental health support. Read on to learn seven kinds of thoughts you […]
Mental Health
Featured x Mental Exhaustion

Signs You May Have Mental Exhaustion

Reading Time: 6 minutesDoes it feel like basic tasks are taking an overwhelming effort to complete? Do you have trouble remembering things or understanding information? Are you struggling to find motivation or energy to function normally in your life? You may be dealing with mental exhaustion. As a young adult, you’re juggling a lot of new responsibilities and […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 Sad

Why Does Everything Make Me Sad?

Reading Time: 9 minutesSadness is a normal human emotion. There’s nothing unusual about feeling sad if something bad happens. It’s a natural reaction to difficult situations and experiences. However, if you have sad feelings most of the time—or if your sadness doesn’t go away—you may be depressed. It’s important to understand the difference between the two. What You’ll […]
Mental Health
Featured x Misophonia

Misophonia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Reading Time: 6 minutesFor people with misophonia, certain sounds aren’t just irritating—they can elicit intense feelings of anger and distress. It can ruin relationships, lead to isolation and avoidance, and take a massive toll on a person’s functioning.
Treatment
Featured x NM

Young Adult Mental Health in New Mexico: Statistics and Treatment Options 

Reading Time: 6 minutesMental health struggles among youth and adults are a persistent concern in New Mexico. In fact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, New Mexico has higher average rates of mental health issues than the US average. This includes young adult mental health issues like anxiety and depression, drug overdoses, and death by suicide. Additionally, many young adults […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 1

What’s Underneath Anger, and 5 Anger Management Techniques for Young Adults

Reading Time: 9 minutesDo you ever feel like you just can’t take it anymore? Life, relationships, the pressures of work or school, the intense emotions battling inside you—it’s all too much to handle. You can’t see a way forward or a way out. When that sense of being overwhelmed and out of control gets too big, it can […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x polyamory

Polyamory and Mental Health: How Non-Monogamy Impacts Young Adults

Reading Time: 7 minutesMost of us envision monogamous relationships when we think of romantic love. Among young adults, though, paradigms are changing. Monogamy isn’t a thing of the past, but polyamory is growing in popularity. But does polyamory increase mental health or erode it? Polyamorous relationships may seem more complicated—and they can be. But many young adults believe they […]
Mental Health
Featured x college anxiety

Why Are College Students So Anxious?

Reading Time: 8 minutesThe college years can be one of the most exciting times of a young adult’s life. But they can also be one of the most stressful. Juggling classes, work, friendships, romantic relationships, and other responsibilities can seem overwhelming at times, leading to what’s often referred to as college anxiety. As a result, over a third […]
Treatment
Featured 768x491 PandemicSkip

6 Reasons Why Young Adults Don’t Seek Treatment for Mental Health

Reading Time: 8 minutesYoung adults are struggling with mental health issues more than any other age group. As a result, their generation has been instrumental in reducing stigma around mental health conditions and treatment. In fact, young adults have opened the door for open conversations about mental health—in the media, among policymakers, and in universities and workplaces. And […]
Treatment
NI Virginia Featured Image JPEG

Addressing the Virginia Mental Healthcare Shortage for Young Adults

Reading Time: 4 minutesAcross the country, emerging adults are struggling with their mental health more than any other age group. And huge numbers of these young people are unable to access care. Virginia is one of the many states that continues to struggle with a shortage of mental health treatment centers and providers for people in their 20s and […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x MentalFitness

10 Ways to Improve Your Mental Fitness in 2025

Reading Time: 6 minutesIt’s that time of year. Everyone is hitting the gym, resolving to get fit in the new year. While being physically fit is important for wellness and longevity, our mental fitness is just as important. By actively incorporating certain practices into our daily routine, we can sharpen our minds and build the resilience necessary to […]
Empowering Young Adults
NI Website Image Resources SituationalAnxiety x

What Is a Quarter-Life Crisis?

Reading Time: 7 minutesWe’re all familiar with the term “midlife crisis.” It’s a period of turmoil and soul-searching that many middle-aged people experience. That time is a long way off for young adults. But they may go through their own critical period, known as a quarter-life crisis. What is a quarter-life crisis? It’s when young people, as they […]
Mental Health
NI Digital Detox Update Featured Image JPEG

8 Tips for How to Do a Digital Detox in 2025

Reading Time: 7 minutesWe are constantly plugged in to the virtual world. Our daily lives consist of regularly checking emails, responding to texts from friends, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, and getting news alerts. Since the pandemic, we’ve become used to socializing, going to school, and meeting with colleagues online as well. That makes the question “What […]
Mental Health
NY Resilience Featured 768x491

How to Build Emotional Resilience Instead of Making New Year’s Resolutions

Reading Time: 7 minutesIt’s that time again—time to crack open a brand new year and get started on all the goals we’ve been procrastinating. Making New Year’s resolutions is a great way to start … right? Nope, not according to researchers and mental health experts. Their recommendation is to learn how to build emotional resilience instead. Why focus […]
Treatment
NorCal resource

Our California Mental Health Treatment Centers for Young Adults

Reading Time: 5 minutesNearly half of all young adults in California and around the country are experiencing anxiety and depression, according to new research. This age group is struggling more than any other demographic. However, there are not enough California mental health treatment centers or providers to address this crisis among young people. In fact, California has one of […]
Mental Health
NI Resources HolidayTreatment Feature

8 Holiday Stress-Management Tips for Young Adults

Reading Time: 7 minutesThe holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for most people, the holiday season is definitely not the jolliest time of the year. Young people in particular find the holidays stressful: A Healthline survey found that 65 percent of Gen Z were stressed out by the holiday season, a […]
Treatment
Featured x Texas

How to Access Young Adult Mental Health Treatment in Texas 

Reading Time: 6 minutesNavigating mental health challenges can feel overwhelming, especially when local treatment options are limited. If you’re a young adult in Texas struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use, finding the right kind of support matters. But with a shortage of young adult mental health treatment in Texas, many young adults and their families in […]
Mental Health
NI Narcissistic Parents Featured Image JPEG

Depression in College Students: New Statistics and Research

Reading Time: 6 minutesCollege is typically one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life—and also one of the most stressful. Positive experiences of connection, learning, and independence are counterbalanced by academic and social pressures. On top of that, college students are facing the challenges of being away from home for the first time. As a […]
CO-Occurring
HolidayEating 768x491

5 Ways to Build a More Relaxed Relationship with Food

Reading Time: 6 minutesFood is often at the center of social life. For young adults, socializing tends to revolve around dinner parties or brunch out on Sundays. And that can be incredibly stressful for young people with disordered eating behaviors and poor body image—which includes more than half of college students. A difficult relationship with food creates ongoing […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x ghosting

The Mental Health Effects of Ghosting

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe all know ghosting feels bad. It’s rejection plus confusion—a formula for self-doubt and overthinking. But why does ghosting have such a strong negative impact, even when the “ghoster” is someone you barely knew? Being ghosted can bring back to life old ideas we have about ourselves that we thought were long dead and buried. […]
CO-Occurring
Sunday Scaries Featured 768x491

How to Cope with the Sunday Scaries

Reading Time: 6 minutesYou may not know it has a name, but you’ve probably experienced it—that creeping sense of dread that comes over you on Sunday night, as the prospect of going back to school or work looms closer. It’s called the Sunday scaries, and young adults are more prone to it than other age groups, according to […]
Mental Health
Resouces Grief Featured 768x491

Grief in Young Adults: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhen we talk about grief and grieving, we usually talk about losing a loved one, or ending a relationship. But grief can be triggered by other losses as well. You can feel grief after an election, if your candidate lost. Or you can grieve for a job you left, a friendship that ended, or even […]
Family Connection
Featured x ParentExpectations

What to Do When Your Parents Don’t Approve of Your Career Path

Reading Time: 6 minutesFor young adults, the path to independence can sometimes feel like a tightrope walk between honoring family traditions and values and pursuing your own passions. They’re making important life decisions, such as whether to go to college, selecting a major, and deciding on a career path. And that can be even harder when they feel […]
Mental Health
Zombie Scrolling Featured V2 768x491

8 Danger Signs of Zombie Scrolling and How to Protect Yourself

Reading Time: 6 minutesTheir eyes are sunken, their skin is ashen, and they communicate with grunts rather than words. Only their thumbs move, endlessly, flicking up and down on the glowing rectangles clutched in their hands. Just a small part of their brain still works, and that part is entirely devoted to the images flashing before them, one […]
Empowering Young Adults
NI Website Image Resources Roommates x Feature

The Complete Guide to Protecting Your Mental Health When You’re Living with Roommates

Reading Time: 9 minutesMoving out of your parents’ home and into a dormitory or apartment is a huge rite of passage. Most young adults covet the newfound freedom and independence that living on their own brings. For many, though, dorm or apartment living often means living with roommates. There are advantages to sharing a home with others, but there […]
Mental Health
Featured x

The Mental Health Impact of Politics: 8 Ways to Cope

Reading Time: 5 minutesFear. Hopelessness. Anger. Hatred. Exhaustion. Political events at home and abroad, like election season, the war in Gaza, and related protests and marches, can catalyze a wide range of emotions and reactions. And with social media and streaming platforms bringing us nonstop coverage of these events as they unfold, the mental health impact of politics […]
Mental Health
Featured x MH temp check

The Ultimate Mental Health Temperature Check for Young Adults

Reading Time: 8 minutesYoung adulthood is full of milestones and transitions. You’re finally graduating from your small-town high school and moving to a new city. Or maybe you’ve found the love of your life—or you’re ready to start looking. Sounds like only good things, right? But these pivotal life transitions, along with a sense of pressure about the future, […]
Mental Health
NI Website Resources QuarterlifeCrisis 768x491 Feature

Situational Anxiety in Young Adults: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Cope

Reading Time: 6 minutesSituational anxiety is just what it sounds like—anxiety triggered by a specific situation. It’s why your stomach might be tied in knots on your first day of college or a new job. Or why your heart races on a first date. You can even experience situational anxiety related to a presidential election.  Just about everyone […]
Empowering Young Adults

Body Doubling: How It Works and Who Can Benefit

Reading Time: 6 minutesEveryone has difficulty focusing sometimes. But some people struggle with getting things done more than others, especially when they’re alone. When someone’s with them, however, they have an easier time taking the steps needed to start and finish a project.  Having a witness when you’re engaged in a task can be helpful, especially for those […]
CO-Occurring
Drink Less College Featured 768x491 1

How to Drink Less in College

Reading Time: 10 minutesFor many college students, drinking alcohol is a central part of college life, not to mention a central part of early adulthood. Drinking can feel like a liberating and exciting activity for young adults branching out on their own. But excessive drinking as a young adult can have dangerous consequences, in both the short and […]
Empowering Young Adults
NI Website Image Resources BenefitSingle x

5 Mental Health Benefits of Being Single in Young Adulthood

Reading Time: 7 minutesThe journey into young adulthood is a transformative one. It’s an introduction to “the real world,” free from the restraints of parent rules and expectations. It’s a time for personal growth and self-discovery. For some young adults, that may include exploring romantic relationships. But that isn’t the only way to grow. Young people can also take advantage […]
Mental Health
NI College MH Featured Image JPEG

A College Mental Health Checklist for Students

Reading Time: 8 minutesCollege can be one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life—and one of the most stressful. Being away from home for the first time, without the support of family, is both freeing and frightening.
Mental Health
Cosmetic surgery in young adults - young woman looks in mirror

The Mental Health Impact of Cosmetic Surgery in Young Adults: Pros and Cons

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhen you think of plastic surgery, you probably imagine middle-aged people going under the knife to turn back the clock. However, cosmetic surgery in young adults is becoming increasingly common. And getting plastic surgery has mental health consequences for Millennials and Gen Z—both good and bad.  Key Takeaways Why More Young Adults Are Getting Plastic […]
Mental Health
NI Political Events Featured Image JPEG

The Link Between Young Adult Breakups and Suicidal Behavior

Reading Time: 7 minutesRomantic breakups are painful regardless of your age. The longer and more central the relationship has been, the deeper the heartache. But when young adults end relationships with a significant other, they suffer more than their parents might expect. Some young people experience a full-blown crisis after a bad breakup. In fact, research has uncovered […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x SummerBodyimage

5 Ways to Improve Body Image This Summer

Reading Time: 8 minutesFor many young people, summer is the most anticipated time of year. Longer days, beach vacations, and adventures with friends. But for young adults who struggle with body image, summertime can trigger feelings of anxiety, depression, and avoidance. Hot weather means less clothing, more skin, and no more hiding under bulky sweaters. Overcoming a poor […]
CO-Occurring
NI Trauma Dumping Featured Image NEW JPEG

What Is Trauma Dumping? Examples, Signs, and Effects

Reading Time: 8 minutesIf you’ve ever watched a reality dating show, you’ve probably seen an example of trauma dumping. It’s that moment during a date when someone opens up about an intense and distressing event in their personal history.
Mental Health
x SM Narcissism

Social Media Narcissism: Are the Apps Creating Narcissists?

Reading Time: 6 minutesNarcissism is defined as a fixation with oneself and one’s physical appearance or public image. Many young adults could be described as narcissistic. That’s because they’re at a stage of life when they are establishing their identity and figuring out who they are in relationship to others. But is narcissism on the rise among young […]
Mental Health
Featured x ROCD

What Is Relationship OCD? Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

Reading Time: 6 minutesTo understand what relationship OCD looks like, cast your mind back to the classic film The Notebook, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. In the movie, Rachel McAdams’ character, Allie, grapples with making the biggest decision of her life.
Treatment
Male Stats Featured 768x491

Mental Illness in Men: Signs, Common Disorders, and Help

Reading Time: 7 minutesMen are less likely than women to be diagnosed with any of the most common mental health disorders. And those who have received a diagnosis are less likely to seek treatment. Yet nearly four times as many men as women die by suicide. Why don’t men receive the diagnoses and care they need to heal […]
Mental Health
Gaslighting Featured 768x491

Identifying Gaslighting: Signs, Examples, and Seeking Help

Reading Time: 10 minutesWith more young people talking openly about mental health, gaslighting has become an increasingly common topic among this age group over the last few years. Gaslighting and other forms of emotional abuse have been depicted in films and TV and discussed on reality shows like The Bachelorette. Gaslighting was even chosen as the 2022 Word […]
Mental Health
SummerRedFlags resource

How to Tell If a Young Adult Needs Summer Treatment for Mental Health: 10 Red Flags

Reading Time: 5 minutesIs your young adult child home for the summer between college semesters? Or maybe you just took a summer vacation together and observed new behaviors that are troubling you? Summer is often a time when parents or other relatives notice potential warning signs that a young adult may be struggling with their mental health. While […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured x DisconnectedYouth

Disconnected Youth: Who They Are and What Parents Can Do

Reading Time: 6 minutesYoung adulthood is a time of emerging independence. Even if they’re not pursuing higher education, young adulthood is a time to begin career-building and develop financial self-sufficiency. But some young adults aren’t employed, and they aren’t enrolled in school, either. They’re called disconnected youth, and they’re part of a growing trend. Key Takeaways Who Are the […]
CO-Occurring
Featured x orthorexia

Orthorexia in Young Adults: When Healthy Eating Isn’t Healthy

Reading Time: 6 minutesBeing health conscious is usually a good thing. We’ve all been told that eating vegetables is good for us. But young adults who have an obsessive focus on healthy eating may be suffering from orthorexia.  Ironically, orthorexia in young adults can potentially damage health and well-being. And the disorder is more common in college students than in […]
CO-Occurring
Featured 768x491 Ketamine

Ketamine Use in Young Adults: Statistics, Side Effects, and Treatment

Reading Time: 5 minutesKetamine was a popular party drug found in dance clubs in the 1990s. Today, illicit use of the drug appears to be increasing among young adults. One of the greatest risks to young adult users is that most illegally obtained ketamine is sold in powder form. That means it could be laced with deadly drugs […]
Mental Health
Echoism Featured 768x491 1

Echoism: 12 Signs You Might Be an Echoist

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhile some people draw attention to themselves the moment they enter a room, others shrink from the limelight. Echoists fall into the latter group. They’ll go to the ends of the earth to ensure that all eyes and ears aren’t on them. If you’re overly modest, agreeable, and suppress your own needs to seek love and approval, you could […]
Mental Health
Short vs Long Featured 768x491

How Long Should a Young Adult Stay in Inpatient Care for Mental Health?

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhen a young adult needs more support than weekly therapy or outpatient care can provide, inpatient care for mental health may be the solution. Inpatient mental healthcare is often the most effective solution for young people struggling with mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and/or co-occurring issues, like substance abuse and eating disorders. […]
Mental Health
NI Website Resources Money 768x491 Feature

How Financial Stress Affects Young Adult Mental Health

Reading Time: 6 minutesStress is a fact of life that affects the old as well as the young. And there’s a lot to be stressed about in today’s world. But for young adults, money is at the top of the list—and financial worries are impacting their mental health. Young adult financial stress is catalyzed by a variety of […]
Family Connection
Featured 768x491 involvedparents

How Involved Should Parents Be with Their Young Adult Child’s Life?

Reading Time: 8 minutesTimes have changed. Parenting has, too. Thirty years ago, Generation X’s parents didn’t always know where their kids were after school. Without smart phones or computers, many Gen X kids played outside or hung out with peers IRL. And their parents often didn’t have an understanding of their inner lives. By the time they reached […]
Treatment
Featured 768x491 ERP

How Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy Addresses OCD in Young Adults

Reading Time: 7 minutesYoung adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle with a range of symptoms including distressing and intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. One of the most effective approaches for treating OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP therapy works by interrupting the OCD cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Young adults learn to tolerate discomfort without […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 RSD

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: 10 Signs You Might Have RSD and 5 Ways to Manage It

Reading Time: 5 minutesNobody likes being rejected. Whether you’re ghosted by a romantic partner, passed over for a promotion, or left out of a friend get-together, it hurts. However, people with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) experience rejection as intense emotional pain. For them, being rejected is as painful as a physical sensation of being struck or wounded. Moreover, people […]
Mental Health
Online Dating Featured 768x491

What Young Adults Want Out of Dating in 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhat really matters in life? That’s a question that young adults often ask themselves as they build identities and lives separate from their family of origin. In today’s political, economically, and environmentally unstable world, it feels more important than ever to focus on the things that bring us joy. And for most people, making real […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 Rock Bottom

Hitting Rock Bottom: What It Means and Where to Go from Here 

Reading Time: 7 minutesHitting rock bottom is a term that refers to the lowest point of a person’s life. It’s traditionally used in the context of substance use disorder, to describe the moment when the disorder has caused an individual to lose everything that’s important to them. However, people with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health issues […]
Mental Health
NI Website Resources Image FearofHarmingOthers 768x491 1

What Is Harm OCD? Fear of Hurting Others 

Reading Time: 5 minutesEven if you’re not a violent person, you’ve likely experienced violent thoughts. But knowing you’d never act on them, you quickly forgot about them and moved on. However, some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are plagued by thoughts of hurting others or themselves. This manifestation of the disorder is known as harm OCD. To cope […]
CO-Occurring
ni resources vaping featured 768x491 1

How Vaping Affects Mental Health

Reading Time: 7 minutesResearch shows that vaping is harmful to mental health as well as physical health. New studies show the links between vaping and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and eating disorders. However, one-third of young people believe that vaping nicotine is no worse than drinking a cup of coffee, and most don’t realize vaping […]
CO-Occurring
Featured 768x491 BrainRot

Brain Rot: The Impact on Young Adult Mental Health

Reading Time: 6 minutesWe’ve all experienced that foggy feeling after a late night and little sleep. It’s hard to focus. Productivity wanes. We can feel agitated, anxious, negative, even depressed. If drinking or drug use was involved the night before, we might feel even more lethargic and disoriented. These days, many of us experience these feelings, even when […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured 768x491 SelfAcceptanceToolkit

Download Your Self-Acceptance Toolkit

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMake this the year to just be you.  This year, we invite you to make a different kind of resolution: to minimize stress and striving, and maximize joy and meaning.  Instead of making resolutions … resolve to accept yourself as you are.  Instead of setting big, aspirational goals … focus on small steps that you […]
Mental Health
NI Dont Seek Featured Image JPEG

What Is the Pandemic Skip, and How Is It Affecting Young Adults?

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat is the pandemic skip? It’s a sense among many young adults of having skipped an important period of social and emotional development due to shutdowns, social distancing, and remote learning and/or work. Three years after the height of the pandemic, despite normal life having fully resumed, some young adults feel their mental age and […]
Treatment
ni resources holidaystress feature

5 Reasons Why Treatment Is Important for Young Adults During the Holidays

Reading Time: 5 minutesFor young adults, the holidays are typically about catching up on sleep, going out with friends, and spending time with family. Entering or remaining in treatment for mental health conditions doesn’t usually look like an appealing option, even when they know they need help. However, treatment is important even during the holidays—and can be life […]
Empowering Young Adults
CuffingSeason Featured 768x491 1

Cuffing Season: Is it Good or Bad for Mental Health?

Reading Time: 6 minutesIt’s that time again: Daylight is short. A chill is in the air. Parties and holiday events abound. Families gather and celebrate. For some, it’s the “most wonderful time of the year.” But for many young people, late autumn into winter is anything but wonderful. Unpartnered young adults can feel more alone when temperatures drop […]
CO-Occurring
Selfharm resource

5 Strategies for Preventing Self-Harm Relapse

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhy do young people self-harm and how they can find self-harm recovery? Since self-harm typically starts in early to mid-adolescence, many young adults who struggle with this behavior may have been in treatment before, were able to stop, and then had a self-harm relapse during a period of emotional distress. Preventing self-harm relapse starts with […]
Empowering Young Adults
Featured Hope Fatigue 1

Hope Fatigue: What It Is and 8 Ways to Overcome It

Reading Time: 7 minutesYoung adults today have a lot on their plates. In addition to personal challenges, like academic pressures, work conflicts, relationship issues, and the ongoing work of adulting, they’re also taking on the weight of the larger world. The constant influx of information keeps young adults glued to devastating national and global events, from mass shootings […]
Mental Health
ObsessiveThoughts Featured 768x491 1

How to Stop Obsessive and Intrusive Thoughts

Reading Time: 7 minutesIt happens to all of us at one time or another. We might be standing on a bridge and imagine jumping off. Perhaps we’re driving and suddenly think about crashing into the car ahead. We may even have a sudden mental flash of harming someone we love. Since we have about 6,000 thoughts per day, […]
Empowering Young Adults
SelfSilencing Featured 768x491 1

Why Young Women Self-Silence, and How It Impacts Mental Health

Reading Time: 8 minutesSelf-silencing often starts with trying to do the right thing. Even though you’re exhausted and want to stay in, you put on a happy face and go to the party because that’s what your boyfriend wants. Instead of rocking the boat, you go along with things you don’t really agree with. Rather than voice a […]
Empowering Young Adults
Comparison Featured 768x491 1

Escaping the Comparison Trap: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Reading Time: 8 minutesIt’s natural to compare yourself to others. It’s part of how we define and understand ourselves. But while everyone plays the comparison game to some extent, young adults are more susceptible. They compare themselves to others in all kinds of ways: grade point averages, job titles, income, physical appearance, dating success, vacations taken, parties attended, […]
Mental Health
Rumination Featured 768x491 1

How to Stop Ruminating: 7 Evidence-Based Tips for Young Adults

Reading Time: 8 minutesAre you constantly replaying awkward conversations in your head, regretting past mistakes, or worrying about how you might avoid potentially difficult situations in the future? Then you’re not just thinking. You’re ruminating.  We all have experiences and fears that gnaw at us. It’s natural to look back on what we could have said or done […]
CO-Occurring
LeanDrug Featured 768x491 1

Lean Drug: Side Effects, Dangers, and Treatment Options

Reading Time: 4 minutesLean, also known as Purple Drank, Sizzurp, Texas Tea, Purple Tonic, and Dirty Sprite, is a substance that is made by combining an opioid such as codeine with alcohol, cough syrup, soda, or candy. Young people started using lean in the 1960s. In the 1990s, it became popular again through the hip-hop and EDM culture. […]
Treatment
OCD Featured 768x491 1

OCD in Young Adults: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Reading Time: 8 minutesYoung adults sometimes refer to themselves as being “OCD” when they are super organized or get nervous about germs. However, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is more than wanting to keep your room neat or avoid getting sick.  OCD is a diagnosable mental health condition with symptoms including intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses, along with compulsive behaviors […]
Empowering Young Adults
Life Skills Featured 768x491 1

5 Life Skills Young Adults Need to Thrive

Reading Time: 7 minutesYoung adulthood is a time for growth, exploration, and new experiences. Cultivating necessary life skills can help your young adult flourish and grow into themselves while gaining tools to succeed in their relationships, the workplace, and at home.  There are five main categories of young adult life skills that help them navigate independent living and maintain […]
Mental Health
NI Resources MentalHealthGreekLife 768x491 feature

How Does Greek Life Affect Mental Health? The Pros and Cons

Reading Time: 7 minutesIs Greek life good or bad for college students’ mental health? Overall, there are both benefits and drawbacks to joining a sorority or fraternity. Greek organizations (so called because of the Greek letters used for their names) can create a sense of belonging and support. But they can also involve traumatic hazing practices and foster […]
Family Connection
Featured 768x491 Communicate

How to Communicate Better with Your Grown Child

Reading Time: 9 minutesIt’s common knowledge that talking to teens isn’t easy. They tend to push back, shut down, or give a one-word answer to every question. But parents often expect that when their kids cross over into young adulthood, all that will change. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.  Communicating with your grown child can take some […]
CO-Occurring
NI Resources HallucinogenUse Feature 768x491 1

Hallucinogen Use in Young Adults: New Stats and Research

Reading Time: 6 minutesHallucinogen use in young adults is at an all-time high. The number of people in this age group who use drugs such as PCP, peyote, and psilocybin has doubled over the past decade. As a result, young adult substance use and mental health disorders related to hallucinogens are also increasing. Many young adults don’t realize […]
Mental Health
Featured Disrespectful Child 768x491

How Do You Deal with a Disrespectful Grown Child?

Reading Time: 7 minutesParenting is a tough job. No matter how well you do it, you still make mistakes. As your children grow, you hope they understand that even though you were an imperfect parent, you’ve always loved them and did your best to raise them well. But even so, sometimes you may find yourself dealing with a […]
Mental Health
ChronicMH Featured 768x491 1

10 Ways to Manage a Chronic Mental Health Condition

Reading Time: 7 minutesMost people think of a chronic illness as an ongoing physical health problem, like diabetes, heart disease, or multiple sclerosis. But chronic mental health problems are also common. And just as chronic physical illnesses must be managed, it’s equally necessary to manage a chronic mental health condition. Managing a chronic mental illness can be taxing, […]
Mental Health
FearofAbandonment Resource

Fear of Abandonment in Young Adults: What It Means and How to Heal

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe all worry sometimes about losing a loved one or being left by a romantic partner. But for some young adults, fear of abandonment is a constant concern. They never stop feeling afraid that they may be left out, left behind, or rejected—not only by a partner or family member, but also by friends, acquaintances, […]
Treatment
Male Drinking Featured 768x491

The Latest Research on Young Men and Binge Drinking

Reading Time: 5 minutesMore than one-third of male college students engage in binge drinking. Even though college-aged men and women use alcohol in roughly equal numbers, binge drinking is still more common among young men. Why do so many young men binge drink? Psychology, biology, and socialization contribute to this dangerous and potentially addictive behavior. Untreated trauma, anxiety, […]
Treatment
Childhood Trauma Refresh Featured 768x491

5 Ways Childhood Trauma Impacts Young Adults

Reading Time: 9 minutesWhat happens to us in our first 10 years or so of life will affect every single decade that follows. During this incredibly rapid period of growth and development, our bodies, brains, and personalities are imprinted by our early experiences. That’s why childhood trauma can have such a significant impact on our mental and physical […]
Mental Health
LatinxMH resource

Hispanic and Latino Young Adult Mental Health: Statistics and Research

Reading Time: 8 minutesHispanic and Latino young adults in the United States experience increased rates of mental health conditions. In fact, one survey found that just over half of this group report symptoms of depression and anxiety. What’s driving this high risk of mental health issues? Hispanic and Latino youth face a variety of stressors, including the traumatic […]
Mental Health
NI Resources AsianMH 768x491 feature

The Facts About Asian American Mental Health and Suicide Rates

Reading Time: 4 minutesNew research reveals that the youth mental health crisis is taking a heavy toll on the Asian American community. Statistics from the CDC show that suicide is the first leading cause of death for Asian American young adults—accounting for one-third of the deaths among Asian Americans aged 20–24. This is the only racial group within […]
CO-Occurring
Stimulants Misuse Featured 768x491

What Are Stimulants, and Which Ones Are Young Adults Abusing?

Reading Time: 5 minutesYoung adults are under enormous stress. Between academic pressure, workplace stressors, social anxiety, and struggles with self-worth and mental health, they often feel as if they’re underwater all the time. They don’t have enough hours in the day to fit everything in, and they never get enough sleep. Stimulant drugs seem to offer a way […]
Treatment
Featured SummerTreatment

5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Best Time for Young Adults to Access Care

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen is the best time to access care for mental health challenges? There’s a simple answer to that question: as soon as possible, because the longer a mental health issue remains untreated, the more serious it can become. That said, for young adults and their families who have been considering treatment, summer is often the […]
CO-Occurring
LGBTQ Featured 768x491

LGBTQ Youth Mental Health: New Research and Statistics

Reading Time: 5 minutesYoung adults have been hit harder than any other age group by the psychological, political, economic, and social repercussions of the last two years. And within this demographic, young people who identify as LGBTQ have been even more drastically impacted. A new Trevor Project survey on LGBTQ youth mental health found that 64 percent of […]
CO-Occurring
Featured MaladaptiveDaydreaming

What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?

Reading Time: 8 minutesDo you ever find yourself gazing out the window and daydreaming while sitting at your desk at work or in the classroom? Maybe you’ve imagined landing the perfect job, marrying your sweetheart, dining with a celebrity, taking a tropical vacation, winning the lottery … Or maybe you imagine yourself confronting a difficult boss or taking […]
Mental Health
Featured StressAnxiety

What’s the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety?

Reading Time: 6 minutesYour heart pounds harder, your stomach tightens into a knot, you imagine the worst possible outcomes. Most people understand what it’s like to experience stress and anxiety, physically and mentally. But the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Understanding the signs of anxiety versus […]
Mental Health
Resouces Mind Body Connection Featured 768x491

Recovery from Trauma and the Mind-Body Connection

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe mind-body connection is a powerful force. The mind and body are designed to be allies, working in sync to maximize our physical and mental health. But sometimes they work against each other. Like most relationships, the mind-body connection can be complicated. Our memories, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological […]
Mental Health
FriendTherapist resource

Your Friends Aren’t Your Therapists: How to Set Boundaries

Reading Time: 10 minutesGood friends are one of life’s greatest gifts. At the best of times, they’re a source of laughter and joy. At the worst of times, they’re a source of solace and emotional support. It’s wonderful to have people you feel safe venting to and sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings. When you’re struggling, it can […]
Mental Health
Concern For Friend Featured 768x491

How to Help a Friend Who’s Struggling with Their Mental Health

Reading Time: 8 minutesMore young adults than ever before are talking openly about mental health. Discussions are happening in person and on social media, at home and in the workplace. “Young people are advocating for their needs and for the needs of others who are suffering,” says Newport Executive Director Leigh McInnis, LPC. “They’re speaking their feelings out […]
Mental Health
Unconditional Love Featured 768x491

Parental Estrangement: Can the Family Heal After Adult Children Divorce Their Parents?

Reading Time: 8 minutesMost people understand what it’s like to have difficult, uncomfortable, or stressful family dynamics. Plenty of young adult children find spending time with parents or other family members draining and emotional. In these situations, they often try to maintain connection with their families while creating space. But in other cases, adult children end up disowning […]
Mental Health
NI Reference ResilienceToolkit 768x491 1

Learn How to Build Resilience Every Day, One Day at a Time

Reading Time: 2 minutesResilience is the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity and stress. Having resilience doesn’t mean we avoid sadness, disappointment, or failure. But people who are resilient bounce back more easily from roadblocks. Positive psychologists have identified a number of traits and behaviors that are associated with resilience, including: Download the toolkit to get […]
Mental Health
BareMinimumMondays featured

Are ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ Good for Mental Health?

Reading Time: 7 minutesA new self-care trend is changing the way younger workers start their week. Instead of jumping in with both feet to attack their to-do lists, Gen Z employees are practicing what’s known as Bare Minimum Mondays.  What is Bare Minimum Monday exactly? It’s pretty much what it sounds like: doing the bare minimum at work […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 2 1

PMDD in Young Adults: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms and Treatment

Reading Time: 6 minutesDo you experience depressive symptoms that are particularly intense one week of the month and seem nonexistent a couple weeks later? If so, you might be suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD in young adults. PMDD is an endocrine disorder experienced by some people who menstruate. It usually begins a week or more before menstruation […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 2

‘I Hate My Life’: 10 Ways to Start Feeling Better

Reading Time: 8 minutesWe’ve all been stuck in a low mood at one point or another. Our energy plummets, we lose interest in the outside world, and accomplishing the smallest things feels like a challenge. But if you find yourself wondering, “Why do I hate my life?” day in and day out, it could be a sign of […]
Mental Health
Climate Change Featured 768x491

How Climate Change Anxiety Affects Young Adults

Reading Time: 6 minutesYoung adults will inherit a world that is deeply impacted by climate change. Thus, a large portion of this generation feels both hopeless and helpless about the future of the planet. As a result, young adults often experience what’s known as climate change anxiety, climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety. Mental health experts agree that climate change […]
Mental Health
Featured 768x491 1 1

How Do You Know If You’re Having a Nervous Breakdown?

Reading Time: 8 minutesIf you’re unable to function in daily life because you’re so overwhelmed by stress, fury, fear, or despair, you may be having what clinicians once referred to as a nervous breakdown. While the term is no longer used by mental health professionals today, it still describes a variety of legitimate mental health disorders. Today, we […]
Mental Health
PsychologicalSafety resource

What Is Psychological Safety for Young Adults?

Reading Time: 8 minutesAs young people mature, leave home, and begin to carve out their own lives, they forge new relationships of all types. For those relationships to flourish, psychological safety is a must. Psychological safety means trusting you can share ideas, concerns, and feelings with others without risk of humiliation or rejection. Psychological safety is foundational to […]
CO-Occurring
Featured 768x491 borg

What Is Borg Drinking, the Latest TikTok Trend?

Reading Time: 5 minutesThe world of TikTok can be a mystifying and bizarre place. Trends sweep through the social media app like wildfire. Some of these trends—like dance challenges and lip sync videos—are cute and funny. But many of the trends, are mystifying, bizarre, and even, like the recent borg trend, dangerous. Remember the Tide Pod challenge? This […]
Treatment
NI StrengthsBased Resource featured

Empowering Young Adults with a Strengths-Based Approach

Reading Time: 4 minutesAll too often, our culture prompts adolescents and young adults to focus on their failures rather than their successes. Well-meaning parents, teachers, clinicians, and other helpers and mentors tend to focus on what’s going wrong in a young person’s life rather than encouraging them to explore their unique gifts. As a result, a young person’s […]
Mental Health
NI Feeling Numb Featured Image JPEG

What It Means When You’re Feeling Emotionally Numb

Reading Time: 7 minutesYou might have seen the phrase “feeling emotionally numb” on a list of common symptoms of various mental health disorders. But what does that really mean? Feeling numb inside is different for every individual.
Mental Health
NI Resources YoungAdultMentalHealth Feature 768x491 1

Common Questions About Young Adult Mental Health Answered

Reading Time: 6 minutesThese days, young adults are speaking up more about their mental health. They’re attending therapy more than older generations. They’re opening up to their friends, families, bosses, coworkers, and professors about their mental health struggles. As we come to understand more and more what’s at the root of young adult mental health issues, it’s imperative […]
CO-Occurring
Featured 768x491 ProcessAddictions

The Most Common Process Addictions in Young Adults

Reading Time: 8 minutesIs there anything wrong about using fun, distracting activities to relieve stress—like gaming, gambling, shopping, and scrolling through social media? Not when those activities are done in moderation. But if they become compulsive and start to take over your mind and your life, you may be struggling with a process addiction, also known as a […]
CO-Occurring
Alcohol Woman Featured 768x491

Alcoholism in Women: Signs, Causes, and Consequences

Reading Time: 5 minutesAlcoholism in women is increasing as a growing number of young women turn to alcohol to cope with mental health issues. As rates of anxiety and depression rise among young adult women, alcohol misuse is also going up—along with related health risks. Recent surveys show that levels of stress, anxiety, worry, sadness and anger among […]
CO-Occurring
NI Image Resources ToxicProductivity Feature

Toxic Productivity in Young Adults: The Mental Health Causes and Consequences

Reading Time: 6 minutesWe live in a culture that prides itself on hard work and productivity. Neither of those things is inherently bad. But when you’re driven to be productive nonstop at the expense of your physical and mental health, you’re likely experiencing toxic productivity. Setting realistic goals and working to accomplish them produces satisfaction and increases feelings […]
Mental Health
Manifestation Featured 768x491

Is Manifestation Bad for Mental Health?

Reading Time: 10 minutesPositive manifestation techniques like “Lucky Girl Syndrome” have become increasingly popular among young people. The idea of manifesting change is that we can control what happens and make our dreams come true by putting good thoughts and energy out into the world. In a nutshell, manifestation is the belief that we can change and shape […]
Mental Health
NI Image Resources HyperIndependenceTrauma Feature

What Is Hyper-Independence Trauma in Young Adults?

Reading Time: 6 minutesIn the United States, most parents raise their children to be independent and self-sufficient. Young adults are expected to go to school or work, set career goals, build strong relationships outside the family, and maintain their commitments. Taken together, these life goals represent an appropriate level of adult independence. But independence can sometimes be taken […]
Mental Health
NI PanicDisorders Image Featured 768x491 1

Panic Disorders in Young Adults and 7 Ways to Prevent Panic Attacks

Reading Time: 10 minutesIt might start with a tightening in your chest that makes it hard to breathe. Then your entire body begins to shake. Your heart pounds faster and faster. You feel like you’re going to die. What’s happening? These are the symptoms associated with a panic attack—the primary symptom of panic disorders in young adults.  Young […]
Mental Health
NI Leave of Absence Featured Image JPEG

When to Take a Mental Health Leave of Absence from College or Work

Reading Time: 10 minutesStepping away from college or a job can be a tough decision to make. It’s natural for young people to want to push through and succeed, whether that means getting a good GPA or making themselves invaluable to their team at work. But when a young adult is dealing with a mental health issue, white-knuckling […]
Mental Health
NI Self Esteem Featured Image JPEG

How to Develop a Sense of Self and Build Self-Worth in Young Adulthood

Reading Time: 8 minutesAs young people launch from their families of origin into the “real world,” their lives transform. Many move into their own living spaces, develop romantic relationships, start careers, and begin managing their finances—all symbols of adulthood. How they feel about themselves as they take these steps affects the choices they make. Young people with a […]
Treatment
NI SoCalResource Image Featured 768x491 1

The Shortage of Young Adult Mental Health Facilities in Southern California

Reading Time: 5 minutesNearly half of all young adults in California and around the country are experiencing anxiety and depression, according to new research. This age group (18–25) is struggling more than any other demographic. However, there are not enough providers or mental health facilities in Southern California to address this crisis among young people. In fact, the region […]
CO-Occurring
NI Pathological Liar Featured Image Final JPEG

10 Pathological Liar Signs and How to Cope with a Habitual Liar

Reading Time: 8 minutesMost of us lie once in a while. We’ve all told a white lie to protect someone’s feelings, or stretched the truth a little to avoid a conflict or get out of something we don’t want to do. Lying isn’t ideal in any situation. But when it becomes a habit, and other pathological liar signs […]
Mental Health
NI Pathological Liar Featured Image NEW JPEG

How Having a Narcissistic Parent Impacts Young Adult Mental Health

Reading Time: 9 minutesParents have an enormous effect on their children. They not only pass along genetic traits, but they help shape the way their children perceive and navigate the world from early childhood all the way into adulthood. Because no parent is perfect, all children grow up with parents who make mistakes—and some of those mistakes have […]
CO-Occurring
NI Adult Child Syndrome Featured Image JPEG

Identifying and Healing Adult Child Syndrome

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat is an adult child? As defined within the context of mental health, an adult child is someone who grew up in a dysfunctional family environment that prevented them from fully maturing emotionally. Adult child syndrome is characterized by an inability to navigate adult decisions and relationships due to the long-term impact of childhood trauma.  […]
CO-Occurring

What Is Failure to Launch Syndrome in Young Adults?

Reading Time: 8 minutesThe pandemic forced many emerging adults to take a few steps backward on their path to maturity. College students who had recently left the nest returned home. New graduates lost jobs or struggled to find one. Dating and romantic relationships stalled. From the outside, the early pandemic time for young adults resembled what’s known as […]
Mental Health
NI Personality Disorders Featured Image JPEG

What Is Histrionic Personality Disorder and How Is It Treated?

Reading Time: 7 minutesHistrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition characterized by over-dramatizing feelings and situations. People with HPD tend to overreact emotionally and have poor impulse control. Because they struggle with their self-esteem, they constantly seek attention and affirmation.
Mental Health
NI Hidden Depression Featured Image JPEG FINAL

What Is Hidden Depression in Young Adults?

Reading Time: 7 minutesHidden depression can be hidden from others—or it can be hidden from ourselves. A young adult with hidden depression may deliberately conceal how they’re feeling for fear of how they’ll be perceived. Or they may think that the feelings will resolve themselves if they can just “fake it ‘til they make it.” But in other […]
Mental Health
Academic Pressure Featured 768x491

The Mental Health Toll of Academic Pressure

Reading Time: 5 minutesAcademic pressure on young adults has reached intense levels. The stress of getting into the right college, making good grades, and landing the best internships—all in preparation for success in the workplace—takes an enormous toll on young adult mental health. Too often, academic success comes at the expense of young adults’ social and emotional development. […]
CO-Occurring
NI Fentanyl Featured Image JPEG

How the Fentanyl Epidemic Threatens Young Adults

Reading Time: 4 minutesAddiction and deaths due to the synthetic opioid fentanyl are increasingly prevalent among young people. Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are now the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths in the United States. And the dangers of fentanyl are multiplied by the proliferation of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills that look like Percocet, oxycodone, and […]
Mental Health
How To Nevigate Featured 768x491 1

5 Strategies to Help Young Adults Navigate Change

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhether they’re heading into their freshman year at college, getting ready for a new dorm and new schedule, or preparing for a new job, many young adults are anticipating change as summer heads inexorably toward fall. Those professional or educational changes might come with relocation to a new city, as well as changes to social […]
Mental Health
NI Anxious Avoidant Featured Image JPEG 1

What Are Avoidant and Anxious Preoccupied Attachment Styles?

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat does attachment mean, in the context of mental health? Attachment is trusting that we can count on another person for a sense of safety, connection, and belonging. It’s rooted in our experiences with our primary caregivers in infancy, long before we developed conscious awareness. And it sets the stage for how we approach our […]
Mental Health
Resouces Risk Featured 768x491

5 DBT Tools to Help Young Adults Assess Risk and Make Better Decisions

Reading Time: 5 minutesTaking risks can help young adults overcome fear, achieve their goals, and make new connections with others and with their own strengths and passions. On the other hand, risky behaviors such as substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and other dangerous or unhealthy habits, can endanger emerging adults’ mental and physical health. Because the brain’s prefrontal […]
Mental Health
NI Trauma Featured Image JPEG

Big T vs. Little t Trauma in Young Adults: Is There a Difference?

Reading Time: 6 minutesDoes trauma come in different sizes? In the mental health field, traumatic experiences are sometimes categorized as big T vs. little t trauma. The idea is that some traumatic events are more intense and severe than others.  Regardless of how they are labeled, however, all types of trauma can have negative effects on young adults. […]
CO-Occurring

The Truth About Male Body Image Issues

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe stigma around male body image issues often prevents young men from speaking honestly about their experiences and seeking treatment for related mental health challenges.
Mental Health
Workplace Featured 768x491

Well-Being in the Workplace: What Young Professionals Really Want Out of Work

Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat do we really want from our jobs, besides a paycheck? That’s a question that millions of people have been reconsidering over the past two years—especially young professionals. As awareness and discussion of mental health grows, fewer young adults are willing to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their job. And there’s no doubt […]
CO-Occurring
codependency post featured image

Codependency Disorder in Young Adults

Reading Time: 7 minutesCodependency disorder is a type of dysfunctional relationship in which one or both people experiences an unhealthy level of reliance on the other. A codependent person may feel they are worthless without the other person.
Mental Health
Not Ready To Adult Featured 768x491 1

Fear of Adulting: I’m 21 But I Still Don’t Feel Like an Adult

Reading Time: 8 minutesTurning 21 can feel like crossing a line in the sand between adolescence and adulthood. In the United States, turning 21 not only grants young people permission to legally drink and smoke, it also marks the official transition to adulthood, and all the responsibilities and expectations that go along with that. For some young people, […]
Mental Health
NI High Functioning Anxiety Featured Image JPEG

High-Functioning Anxiety: What It Is and How to Cope

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhen we think about anxiety, we usually think about being paralyzed with fear and worry, to the point of being unable to deal with everyday tasks. However, anxiety doesn’t always manifest that way. In fact, young adults with high-functioning anxiety are often overachievers who appear to be succeeding in every aspect of life. But on […]
Mental Health
YA Brain Featured 768x491 1

Is the Young Adult Brain Wired for Narcissism?

Reading Time: 7 minutesBy the time we reach age 10, our brains have grown to their full size. But that doesn’t mean they’ve finished developing. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for weighing consequences vs. instant gratification, making thoughtful decisions, and managing emotions, doesn’t fully mature until the mid-20s, and possibly even later. Moreover, the prefrontal cortex, in […]
Mental Health
NI Tall Poppy Featured Image JPEG

Tall Poppy Syndrome: When You Get Cut Down for Standing Out

Reading Time: 6 minutesGetting recognized for your accomplishments should be cause for celebration. So why does it sometimes feel like your successes have made you the target of criticism, gossip, or downright sabotage? You may be experiencing the social phenomenon known as “Tall Poppy Syndrome.”  Young adults are particularly vulnerable to Tall Poppy Syndrome. Competition for grades and […]
CO-Occurring
NI Resource Post Featured Image

Common Types of Party Drugs Young Adults Abuse During Spring Break

Reading Time: 6 minutesUse of a variety of common types of party drugs has reached record levels among young adults. In particular, use of the party drugs marijuana and hallucinogens is at historically high levels, according to a recent Monitoring the Future (MTF) study. Young adults use party drugs to enhance social experiences and feel more intense emotions […]
Mental Health
NI Stress Featured Image JPEG FINAL

The Effects of Stress on College Students

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe effects of stress on college students are taking an increasingly heavy toll. With the typical stressors of college multiplied by the pandemic, nine out of 10 students believe there is a mental health crisis on college campuses, according to a recent survey.  Each semester brings new challenges and uncertainties alongside academic demands. Anxiety about […]
Mental Health
ni cancel culture feature

How Cancel Culture Psychology and Toxic Tribalism Impact Young Adult Mental Health

Reading Time: 6 minutesHuman beings are wired for connection. Having strong communities in which members looked out for each kept our ancestors alive, and connection is still key to our well-being. We want to feel a sense of belonging within a group of people who share our values—whether that’s Cubs fans, a gaming community, or Swifties (Taylor Swift […]
CO-Occurring
NI SocialMediaFilters Featured Image JPEG FINAL 1

Do You Use a Filter Every Time You Post?

Reading Time: 6 minutesIf you answered yes to that question, you’re not alone. Who doesn’t want whiter teeth, brighter skin, more symmetrical features? Social media filters let us have that and more, so we can keep up with all the other filter-using selfie-takers in our feeds. How could there be anything wrong with that?  It’s a natural impulse […]
Mental Health
NI Resources Connection Featured 768x491

Creating Authentic Relationships and Connections

Reading Time: 7 minutesAuthentic relationships—close, supportive, and nurturing connections—are essential to mental health. Research shows that the quality of our relationships is directly linked to our happiness, well-being, and self-esteem. Unfortunately, early childhood trauma can impede our ability to create and maintain healthy, authentic relationships. When the parent-child bond is disrupted early in life, we carry the psychological […]
Mental Health
NI Olympic Athletes Resilience Hero JPEG FINAL 1

What We Can Learn from Olympic Athletes About Building Resilience Through Sports

Reading Time: 6 minutesOlympic athletes sometimes seem almost superhuman. Despite immense pressure and the millions of eyes upon them, they remain focused, calm, and collected as they push their bodies to achieve at the highest levels imaginable. In order to become the best at what they do, they’ve had to build both physical and mental resilience through sports. […]
Mental Health
ni youngadult worrying hero 768x491 1

The Effects of Worrying on Young Adult Mental Health

Reading Time: 5 minutesToday’s young adults face an unprecedented degree of fear and uncertainty as they launch their lives. Globally, there’s the fear of viral contagion, economic insecurity, social disruption, and climate change. Individually, they face financial worries, disrupted plans, and personal losses, both large and small. What are the effects of worrying on mental health over time? […]
Mental Health
Resouces Sleep2 Featured 768x491

The Mental Health Effects of Sleep Deprivation in College Students

Reading Time: 4 minutesCollege and sleep deprivation are known to go hand in hand. But pulling all-nighters doesn’t just leave young people yawning in class—it may also significantly reduce their well-being. Sleep deprivation in college students and other young adults may be contributing to the current mental health crisis among this age group. Sleep Deprivation in College Students: […]
Mental Health
MN Featured Female 768x491

A Growing Need for Minnesota Treatment Centers for Young Adults

Reading Time: 4 minutesLike their peers around the country, Minnesota’s young adult population is experiencing the long-term negative mental health repercussions of the pandemic. New research shows the one out of every three adults in the North Star State experienced a mental health condition last year. This mental health crisis is exacerbated by a shortage of Minnesota treatment […]
Mental Health
Tools In Therapy Featured 768x491

The 5 Most Powerful Young Adult Tools Learned in Therapy

Reading Time: 4 minutesMany young adults enter therapy at a crisis point, when they are struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or another mental health issue. Treatment can support them to address underlying trauma and attachment wounds, so they can return to their lives stronger and more resilient. Moreover, the benefits of therapy go beyond the short term. […]
Mental Health
Pandemic Agoraphobia Featured 768x491

Fear of Leaving the House? It Might Be Pandemic Agoraphobia

Reading Time: 4 minutesIf you’ve been experiencing a new or heightened fear of leaving the house, you’re not alone. After a year and a half of constantly changing guidelines around daily activities, it’s not easy to determine what’s safe to do in the outside world. As new COVID variants like Delta and Mu are identified, normal behaviors like […]
Treatment
Rap Featured 768x491

Do Rap Songs About Mental Health Help Reduce Stigma?

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen we think about hip hop artists, we don’t usually think about anxious or depressed rappers. Rap artists have a reputation as being tough and invulnerable. But some rap stars are changing that perception—and helping to reduce stigma—by writing rap songs about mental health. In fact, a recent study found that the number of rap […]
Treatment
Cocaine Featured 768x491

The Dangers of Casual Cocaine Use

Reading Time: 6 minutesIs there really such a thing as casual cocaine use? Because of cocaine’s powerful impact on brain functioning, it is highly addictive both psychologically and physiologically. Young adults who use the drug occasionally with friends may not be aware of the dangers of cocaine, including both short- and long-term effects of cocaine on the body […]
CO-Occurring
Abusive Relationship Featured 768x491

How to Know If You Are in an Abusive Relationship

Reading Time: 6 minutesNot all abusive relationships are physically violent. In fact, emotional abuse within relationships is even more common than physical abuse. And it’s harder to recognize, because it can masquerade as an intense form of love and devotion. An abusive relationship often seems incredibly passionate and romantic at first, and then gradually descends into manipulation and […]
Mental Health
Carl Nassib Featured 768x491 1

5 Ways Young Men Can Cultivate Healthy Masculinity

Reading Time: 7 minutesWhat does it mean to be a “real man”? It means speaking and living your truth, whatever that may be. But that’s far easier said than done in a culture where men feel pressured to adhere to outdated and damaging stereotypes of masculinity. Despite how far we’ve come in dismantling male gender norms over the […]
Mental Health
Social Anxiety Featured 768x491

5 Steps for Overcoming Social Anxiety After COVID Isolation

Reading Time: 6 minutesAs much as we all want to get back to “normal” life post-COVID, that doesn’t mean re-entry will be easy. After more than a year of social distancing and limited activities outside the home, many people are feeling anxious about what it will be like to spend more time with friends, in groups, and out […]
CO-Occurring
Gender Identity Featured 768x491

Gender Differences in Emotional Health and Neurobiology

Reading Time: 5 minutesWomen are diagnosed with PTSD twice as often as men, while men are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their psychological pain. These are just two of the many gender differences in emotional health that research has uncovered. Scientists and mental health experts ascribe these disparities to a number of factors, including […]
CO-Occurring
Drug Legalization 2 Featured 768x491

The Effects of Drug Legalization

Reading Time: 5 minutesWith an increasing number of states legalizing marijuana and other drugs, the debate continues on whether the negative effects of drug decriminalization outweigh the positives. Researchers, policymakers, and public health officials provide arguments on both sides. For mental health experts, however, the most relevant question is how drug legalization will impact rates of substance abuse […]
Mental Health
Pillars Featured 768x491

The Three Pillars of Mental Health for Young Adults

Reading Time: 3 minutesA new study has identified the top three health behaviors that support emotional well-being in young adults. These pillars of mental health clearly illustrate the power of the mind-body connection, and offer a road map for how to stay healthy in your 20s, both mentally and physically. Published in December 2020 in the journal Frontiers […]
Treatment

Marijuana Addiction Rehab for Young Adults

Reading Time: 5 minutesYoung adults are more likely than any other age group to smoke marijuana. While cigarette smoking among this demographic has declined and alcohol use has remained level, more young adults are vaping or smoking marijuana than ever before. As a result, the need for marijuana addiction rehab is also on the rise. In addition, the […]
Mental Health
Featured x ()

What Unconditional Love Does and Doesn’t Mean

Reading Time: 6 minutesWe all want to be loved unconditionally—to be loved despite not being perfect. True unconditional love, whether it’s between family members, friends, or romantic partners, supports us to be our best self. When we know we are unconditionally loved, we can go out into the world with confidence and a sense of security. Furthermore, research […]
Treatment

What to Expect in a Sober Living Home for Young Adults

Reading Time: 6 minutesA sober living community can be a great solution for young adults who are in recovery. In a supportive and caring sober living home, young people can build strong connections with peers while learning to live independently. When researching how to choose a sober living home, it’s helpful to have an understanding of what to […]
Treatment

The Role of Empathy in DBT Work

Reading Time: 5 minutesby Leigh McInnis, LPC, Newport Executive Director The nature of a healthy, harmonious relationship is that it is mutually beneficial. Both individuals feel assured that they are worthy of being heard, voicing their opinions, and having their wants and needs considered. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) offers the tools to allow this ideal to become a […]
Mental Health

The Journey of Healing the Inner Child

Reading Time: 5 minutesBy Kristin Wilson, MA, LPC, Vice President of Clinical Outreach Within each of us, whether we are aware of it or not, is an inner child—with all the emotions and vulnerabilities of our younger selves. This inner child represents our capacity for innocence, wonder, awe, joy, sensitivity, and playfulness, and it also holds our accumulated […]
Mental Health

How Family and Loved Ones Can Protect Against Compassion Fatigue

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe term “compassion fatigue” has traditionally been used to describe a common experience for first responders, medical providers, and those in the helping professions. Sometimes known as secondary trauma, it occurs when those who are routinely exposed to others’ trauma begin to experience some of the same symptoms. However, compassion fatigue doesn’t just impact frontline […]
Mental Health

How Young Adults Build Executive Functioning Skills

Reading Time: 4 minutesAs adults, we rely on a set of cognitive proficiencies collectively known as executive functioning skills. These capabilities help us to navigate life’s challenges, persevere in the face of stress, and meet our full potential. They dictate our capacity to make healthy choices, allow us to focus on important tasks so that we can complete […]
Treatment

The Benefits of Young Adult Group Therapy

Reading Time: 3 minutesEven if they haven’t had personal experience with mental healthcare, most people are familiar with the one-on-one setup of an individual therapy session. This traditional talk therapy format offers a safe space to process the highs and lows of the healing process with a trusted clinician who can offer guidance and support. However, group therapy […]
Treatment
Malebody Featured 768x491

The Role of Self-Compassion in Trauma-Focused Care

Reading Time: 4 minutesEver since psychologist Carl Rogers introduced the concept of unconditional positive regard, mental health professionals have been looking for ways to leverage the quality of the therapeutic relationship to shape outcomes. But research shows that it isn’t just the interpersonal dynamic between patient and provider that counts. The amount of compassion a person has for […]
Mental Health

6 Daily Self-Care Practices for Young Adults

Reading Time: 5 minutesFor young adults, self-care isn’t always a priority. The pressures of college and/or starting a job can make basic self-care seem more like a luxury than a necessity. But making a commitment to incorporate self-care practices into your daily routine can create a positive difference not just now, but for the rest of your life. […]
Mental Health

Self-Care for Activists: 8 Practices for Young Adults

Reading Time: 4 minutesYoung activists are speaking out about today’s most pressing social issues. Recent polls show a high level of engagement among young adult and teen activists regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, systemic racism, and police brutality. Furthermore, today’s young adults believe that they are making a difference: In a survey conducted in June 2020 by […]
Treatment
NI Resources Familytherapy 768x491 1

How Family Counseling Fosters Connection

Reading Time: 4 minutesSeparating from family in order to create an independent life is an important part of becoming a young adult. However, family relationships—both past and present—continue to have an enormous influence on young adult mental health even after they leave home. That’s why family counseling is one of the most powerful healing approaches for young adults […]
CO-Occurring

Are Cigarettes a Gateway Drug?

Reading Time: 6 minutesResearch shows that alcohol and marijuana can serve as “gateways” to using harder drugs. But there’s another gateway drug that young adults should be aware of: nicotine. Smoking cigarettes or using e-cigarettes in your late teens and early 20s creates changes in the brain and body that can make young people more apt to experiment […]
Mental Health
10 foods everyday featured image

Top 10 Foods to Support Healthy Brain Function

Reading Time: 6 minutesThe food we eat has a powerful impact on our mental health. Therefore, a nutritious diet that supports young adult well-being includes a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats—foods you should eat everyday.