Posts by jvargas
The Connection Between Eating Disorders and Suicide
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time when individuals, organizations, and communities across the country work together to decrease the stigma that suicide often carries and bring awareness to its devastating impact. Statistics show that suicide is one of the top causes of death for young people aged 10 to 24. It is the…
Read MoreHow Patients at Hidden River Experience the Outdoors: Part Two
As we discussed in last month’s blog post, the beautiful Hidden River property plays a major role in our patients’ treatment during their time with us. Today, we want to showcase some additional recreational activities on our grounds, including the expanded walking trail, frisbee golf course, and other outdoor games. Recreational Activities at Hidden River…
Read MoreHow Patients at Hidden River Experience the Outdoors: Part One
When our patients and their families arrive at Hidden River, they are immediately surrounded by lush greenery, towering trees, a serene stream and pond, and various types of wildlife. It is important to our team that patients truly experience nature during their time in treatment. With that in mind, we have recently completed some changes…
Read MoreThe Truth About Eating Disorders Among Minority Populations
Recent events across the country, combined with effective advocacy efforts, have shed light on the fact that identity plays a large role in someone’s mental health – specifically if someone has a minority identity. Minority populations face harmful discrimination, which can be detrimental to their mental health, especially when it happens with frequent occurence. The…
Read MoreMaintaining a Positive Body Image During Eating Disorder Recovery
One of the key elements of eating disorder recovery is developing and maintaining a positive body image. The National Eating Disorder Association defines body image as the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that someone has about their physical appearance. When someone struggles with an eating disorder, their views of themselves as well as their self-talk often…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Peer Pressure
Everyone faces peer pressure at one time or another. Peer pressure is defined as “the influence wielded by others within the same social group.” It also refers to the effect this influence has on a person to conform to be accepted by their peers. Although peer pressure is commonly cast in a negative light, it’s not…
Read MoreThe Healing Power of Nature
Many of us crave the peace and quiet that comes with open, outdoor spaces — and for good reason. Nature allows us to step away from the demands of daily life. It comforts us and calms our nervous system. Being outside renews our spirits, encouraging us to look beyond our immediate circumstances. It also allows…
Read MoreThe Importance of Setting Realistic Goals
You’re nearly halfway through February, and despite your best intentions, you may be ready to abandon your New Year’s resolutions. You’re not alone! In fact, a majority of resolutions fail by the second month of the year. Maybe your goals aren’t clear or connected to your values. You might feel overwhelmed or discouraged, causing you to…
Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of In-Person Schooling
Thanks to the Omicron variant and a nationwide uptick in COVID-19 cases, many schools are opting to return to virtual learning in an effort to keep students, teachers, and their families safe and healthy. In other instances, students are fighting for a switch to remote learning, as the surging rate of infections has caused a…
Read MoreThe Pressures of Social Media for Young Adults
Social media plays a major role in many of our lives. Thanks to the incredible reach of these online platforms, we’re bombarded with new information constantly — much of which is not useful or even accurate. We also have access to it 24/7. It’s challenging enough to control our consumption during our regular routine, but…
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