Take a pause. A real pause.

Stop for a moment, take a breath. Inhale and think of something you are grateful for—let it fill in all the spaces. Exhale and release that gratitude outward. Do that twice more and know that slowing down is OK, even for just a few deep breaths.

There's been a pause on "regular" life, but that doesn't mean everything has just stopped. People have adjusted, businesses have pivoted, and the general flow has changed; life has kept on going so fast that it's almost May.

Keep going, but don't forget to stop so you don't miss a thing—including indicators that mental healthcare is warranted. For behavioral health support, consider virtual or residential healing programs for teens and young adults—link in bio. #MotivationMonday #MondayMotivation #MentalHealthMondays (Photo of Newport Academy Therapist, Suzie) ...

Increases in Gen Z depression are more significant than in any other age group. According to a pre-pandemic study, this may be due to increased screen time and a corresponding rise in sleep deprivation.

What can help relieve depression symptoms?

Physical movement as part of a comprehensive treatment program! According to a March @nytimes article, "A prospective study published in the March issue of the journal The Lancet Psychiatry found that even light activity — and a corresponding decrease in the amount of time that kids spent being sedentary — was linked to better mental health as they got older." Newport Academy and Newport Institute include exercise as part of the complementary programming for their outcomes-driven clinical mental health treatment protocols.

Fitness Program Coordinator, Vince reminds us that acknowledging the darkness is important, but finding the light is inevitable, especially after an invigorating workout! 💪🏽 Read more about #GenZ #depression risks and what can help via the link in our bio.

#WednesdayWellness #WellnessWednesday ...

Don't just stay healthy—stay mentally healthy!

We all have to think about connection in a different way during a pandemic. It can be healthy to reflect on fond memories while maintaining an open mind toward how interpersonal relationships and daily life activities may look different now and going forward.

It's also important to acknowledge all feelings and keep tabs on mental health through all these changes. Try to do it with awareness, empathy, compassion, and love (for yourself!) as you navigate through this experience. But, that doesn't mean you have to do it alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health challenges, you don't have to be embarrassed or go through it by yourself—there is help. For teen and young adult behavioral health treatment, we're here 24/7: 877.599.5339.

#staymentallyhealthy #pandemicmentalhealth #thereishelp #nostigma ...

Graduation ceremonies may be canceled, but celebrating doesn't have to be.

Whether it's for high school or college, wearing the cap and gown is a special day that can mean different things to different individuals, but it commonly is a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Countless numbers of young people won't get a traditional graduation day this year, so our Chief Experience Officer, Carter Barnhart authored an article for @PureWow about how to deal with the disappointment that comes with these cancellations—link in bio to get her guidance.
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Photo of Kacey A., Outpatient Teacher at Newport Academy SoCal who says, "My favorite thing about working at Newport Academy is now being a part of the company and community that once helped me. I love that I was a client of Newport Academy ten years ago and now I can be part of the team that changes clients' lives every day. The team I work with is wonderful and the clients that come through our program are inspiring and keep me motivated daily. They teach me as much as I teach them. I'm lucky and I hope to continue my journey here for a long time."
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Learn more about Outpatient Treatment for teens and young adults by giving us a call at 877.599.5339 to connect directly with a member of our team. ...

Find the way from anxiety into calm!

While acute and situational #anxiety may be a new #mentalhealth challenge for many, individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are all too familiar with the accompanying feelings of worry, fear, and uncertainty—and the resulting physical symptoms and behaviors.

It’s OK if you are struggling with anxiety right now, but know that you can get help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a researched-backed, effective treatment for anxiety for all age groups. #CBT is facilitated by a #behavioralhealth professional and works because it aims to address both perceptions and behaviors.

Here’s how it makes a difference: the anxiety cycle is a feedback loop of thoughts that lead to feelings. Those feelings generate behavior, and the behavior can intensify the thoughts, which circle back and produce more feelings that cause behavior and so on. CBT breaks the cycle by teaching the individual to identify their thoughts and feelings—and the associated physical symptoms and behaviors. They then learn to recognize their triggers. Empowered with this self-knowledge, clients explore tools and coping skills for managing what manifests. This becomes a practice that’s a beacon of light in the darkness of anxiety for many!

To learn more about CBT for teens or young adults, reach out to us at (877) 599-5339 or on newportacademy.com. We offer a full continuum of care including residential and virtual treatment options. Link in bio to learn more about our young adult program, Newport Institute! ...

The reality of #COVID19 is hitting teens especially hard.
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@wired reached out to Newport Healthcare's National Director of Education, Ryan Fedoroff, M.Ed for her expertise on how the pandemic's impact on teenagers may be far greater than the emotional devastation it's wreaking on adults—link in bio or swipe up in our story to read the whole article.
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Writer @null3000 notes, "I was suddenly facing the reality that not only were teens ill-equipped for this crisis, they’re actually in a much worse position than adults. There’s science behind this idea, as @Psych_Today writer @christinecarterphd notes: 'Teenagers and college students have amplified innate, developmental motivations that make them hard to isolate at home. The hormonal changes that come with puberty conspire with adolescent social dynamics to make them highly attuned to social status and peer group.'" Addressing the unique mental health needs of adolescents and young adults is crucial, whether it's during "business as usual" or this #newnormal.
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That's why we've created age-appropriate and developmentally specific #behavioralhealth care for these populations with Newport Academy and Newport Institute evidence-based treatment programs. Call us at (877)599-5339 or go to our website to learn more about teen and young adult #mentalhealthtreatment.
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#teenmentalhealth #adolescentmentalhealth #genzmentalhealth #millenialmentalhealth #mentalhealthmonday #mentalhealthmondays ...

Newport Academy is now serving the mental health needs of female adolescents in the #Seattle area with the same evidence-based, comprehensive, and sustainable #healing approach as our other nationally recognized programs across the country with strict adherence to CDC COVID-19 regulations and via HIPAA-compliant virtual platforms.

Research shows that teens in #WashingtonState aren’t getting the care they need. Six out of 10 young people in Washington State who have #depression and who are most at risk of suicidal thoughts, difficulty in school, and difficulty in relationships with others don’t have access to #mentalhealthtreatment. We want to change that. Link in bio to learn more! ...

The underlying reason teens use drugs and alcohol may be an adolescent mental health challenge. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are just some of the root behavioral health causes of what may manifest as self-medicating or a maladaptive coping skill. It's in times like these that teen mental health crises have the potential to peak, and therefore symptoms like substance abuse are more likely to surface.

But, there is hope! Access to treatment and education allows teens and their families to find their way out of the darkness and into the light of empowerment.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® is a national awareness observance that "links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and @niaaanews are part of the @nihgov." (teens.drugabuse.gov)

Link to in bio to learn more about street names for drugs most abused by teenagers. Remember—knowledge is power and access to treatment is available: (877) 599-5339. ...

Strength for today, hope for tomorrow.

Those words are from @worldbipolarday in honor of its vision to raise awareness and remove the stigma around mental illness.

#worldbipolarday notes that this year's national day is unique in that, "being isolated and cut-off from everyday routines can be challenging for anyone, but it presents unique challenges to those living with a mental illness, where social support systems are an integral part of maintaining wellness." So here are 3 Strategies to Help Manage Your Mental Health During Social Distancing:

1) Ask for help! There are many online and virtual resources available for support. @cdcgov, @namicommunicate, SAMHSA, and @nationalcouncil are reputable sources with aggregate lists you can easily access.

2) Connect with your community safely. This is a time when moderate social media use can be helpful to reduce isolation. You can keep up with your friends and family, and there are many webinars, videos, posts, and blogs that can be a way to stay engaged. Set time limits and make a schedule for use to avoid too much screen time.

3) Stay on top of your self-care, medical and behavioral health needs. Many healthcare and mental health providers have pivoted to virtual sessions, making it safe and convenient to maintain appointments. At Newport Academy, we've made this technology available to our current and potential clients for Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and Outpatient care with a digital, clinically robust program. Link in bio to learn more! ...

When you identify what you're feeling, you can manage it. Therefore, it can be helpful to acknowledge and accept feelings of anxiety right now.

It's also important to recognize that there's a difference between typical stress and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. To learn more—follow the link in our bio.
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(Image: @twentysevenlkld) ...