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According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young Texans aged 15 to 24. The data suggests that the rates of teen suicide in the state have been on the rise over the years. Factors...
Grief is an inevitable part of life, and when teenagers experience the loss of a loved one, it can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. However, with the right support, adults can help foster resilience, emotional healing, and positive outcomes for grieving teens. Here are...
By Jessica Wilkerson, LCSW Often, mental health and being mindful go hand in hand. We are programmed from the start that productivity is king, and busyness brings bragging rights. Being productive and busy are important, and they can be very healthy for our mental health. However,...
by Haley Nguyen Sauce, LMSW Suicide can be a scary topic to talk about, but it is something that should not go undiscussed. Although the majority of adolescents and adults can argue the many different contributing factors of suicide, many cannot talk about the different ways...
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month) which aims to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental health in the United States. We have been sharing experiences from our staff...
By Rebecca Smith Next Step counselor Jansen McDonald, LMSW, happened upon the counseling field in an unusual way. “I majored in psychology in college just because I love to be with people, but I didn’t know what that would entail for me,” he said. “When I really...
By Rebecca Smith Next Step counselor Brittney Dougan, LMSW, recalls a 7th-grade student she felt has made some of the most progress since Brittney started with Next Step in September 2020. “She was really angry, ready to fight people at the drop of a hat,” Brittney said. “When...
By Rebecca Smith Every so often, a Next Step counselor will see an adolescent who is struggling with their LGBTQ identity. For these students, counseling can make the biggest difference, as they can be especially vulnerable to mental health issues. “Suicide is the third leading cause of...
By Rebecca Smith Yvonnee Tatum always knew she wanted to be a counselor. “I was the kid on the playground solving people’s problems,” she chuckled. “That was me. Other people I’ve talked to in the profession, they have the same story. Then in high school, that’s when...
By Rebecca Smith Lori Dunaway smiled when she received a text from a former client who had just graduated. “She wanted to know if I was still at the school and if she could meet and talk to me,” she said. “She wanted to let me know...