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,...
What is Self-Harm? Self-Harm is the act of purposely causing pain and damage to one’s own body. Usually, the person who self-harms is not attempting suicide but more so looking for a release of their negative emotions. Though some may express satisfaction due to the temporary...
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...
International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Next Step, we are committed to raising awareness about women's equality and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusiveness of all kinds. To...
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...
Having a mentor can be one of the most fulfilling relationships in a person’s life, but often it’s hard to pin down exactly what qualities make someone a great mentor. That might be because what someone needs most from a mentor/mentee relationship can vary from person...
The past year has been one of the most difficult many of us will ever experience. As I talk to people about what has helped get them through the year, one common theme that has surprised me is reconnecting with family and chosen family. Restrictions on...
“Sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to help someone else.” While that line may sound like timeless words of wisdom, it’s actually from a cartoon. With those words, fan favorite Uncle Iroh was telling the titular hero of Legend of Korra that in...
In recognition of World Kindness Day, the Sources of Strength team at Next Step is recognizing positive friends, and the impact they have on our lives. With Sources we focus on eight strengths to help students build hope, help and strength. Over the next few weeks...