Why Do Teens Cut Themselves?

upset teen girl wears long sleeves to conceal cutting scars

Why do teens cut themselves? Cutting and other types of self-harm are dangerous behaviors that have many potential causes. Risk factors include having certain mental illnesses, struggling with overwhelming stress, and feeling that their life is spinning out of control.  At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we approach complex concerns such as cutting from a compassionate,…

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Top 5 Challenges Middle School Students Face

middle school building

Adolescence is a time of growth, transition, and experimentation. It also frequently involves missteps, regrets, and unforeseen challenges. There’s no way to predict what your child’s experience will involve, but when you’re aware of the more common challenges middle school students face you’ll be better prepared to provide meaningful guidance and support. At Hillcrest Adolescent…

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How IEPs & 504 Plans Can Help Support Mental Health In School

teacher shares mental health IEP with teen

Individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 plans are designed to prevent young people from being denied an appropriate education on the basis of various physical, cognitive, and psychological concerns. Though these plans are often primarily focused on instructional services and class policies; 504 or IEP mental health support can also be crucial to a student’s…

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Substance Use & Mental Health In Teens

teen girl struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder

In addition to dealing with the typical trials and tribulations of adolescence, today’s younger generations have also endured a global pandemic, financial instability for many families, significant cultural shifts, and the negative effects of social media. These and many other factors have led to increased concerns about substance use and mental health in teens. At…

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Teen Mental Health Warning Signs: What Every Parent Should Know

Mother comforting daughter

If you’ve been watching your teenager more closely lately — wondering whether the withdrawal, the mood swings, or the dropped activities are just adolescence or something more — that instinct is worth listening to. Knowing your child’s baseline, and noticing when something shifts, is one of the most protective things a parent can do. Teen…

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Germaphobia in Teens (What to Look For)

teen washing hands excessively may have germaphobia

Most parents would be thrilled to have an adolescent who is committed to keeping themselves and their environment clean. But too much attention to these areas could be a warning sign of germaphobia in teens. Call Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center today at (800)275-1707 to learn more about teen mental health treatment in California. What Is…

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