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THE BRITE BLOG

We share the voices, opinions and stories of many Ventura County youth and young adults here. Not all posts reflect the opinion of BRITE or our sponsors. Managed by Ashley Heatherly.

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A young woman sits at a table leaning her head on her hand while holding an almost-empty bottle of alcohol in the other hand. She looks despondent.

A young woman sits at a table leaning her head on her hand while holding an almost-empty bottle of alcohol in the other hand. She looks despondent.

The Negative Effects of Drinking

A college student discusses how drinking alcohol can negatively affect a person's relationships, health, and stability.

Nov 27, 20232 min read

A young woman sits on a chair in a white room with her legs folded up against her body, one arm crossed over her legs and the other arm holding her head. She appears to be in distress.

A young woman sits on a chair in a white room with her legs folded up against her body, one arm crossed over her legs and the other arm holding her head. She appears to be in distress.

Numb and Spaced Out

A Ventura County young adult discusses her experience with domestic violence and using cannabis concentrate to numb out rather than cope with her challenges.

Nov 22, 20232 min read

A person has their crossed arms resting on a table, with their head on their arm. A half-empty bottle of liquor is next to them, out of focus, and a half-full bottle cup of liquor is in front of them in focus.

A person has their crossed arms resting on a table, with their head on their arm. A half-empty bottle of liquor is next to them, out of focus, and a half-full bottle cup of liquor is in front of them in focus.

Is Drinking Worth the Consequences?

A college student discusses the negative consequences of drinking alcohol and why they choose not to drink.

Oct 24, 20232 min read

First Generation

A college student discusses her experience being a first-generation college student and the struggles and successes that she's experienced.

Oct 23, 20233 min read

A graphic that reads, "Ventura County Rx Take Back Day" in orange writing next to a picture of a hand reaching into a medicine cabinet and grabbing an orange bottle of pills.

A graphic that reads, "Ventura County Rx Take Back Day" in orange writing next to a picture of a hand reaching into a medicine cabinet and grabbing an orange bottle of pills.

How to Reduce Drug Overdoses in Ventura County

Learn how to reduce Rx drug misuse, abuse, and overdoses in Ventura County by participating in Rx Drug Take Back Day on October 28th, 2023.

Oct 22, 20232 min read

TRANScend Youth Feature: Ask a Trans Kid

A post from TRANScend Youth's "Ask A Trans Kid" series featuring questions to trans youth about the trans experience. This post is about they/them pronouns.

Oct 11, 20234 min read

A young person is standing in front of a plain, white wall, smiling with her eyes closed and both hands held up to her heart, like she is giving herself a hug.

A young person is standing in front of a plain, white wall, smiling with her eyes closed and both hands held up to her heart, like she is giving herself a hug.

Older and Wiser

A college student discusses her experience with low self-esteem, why therapy is helpful, and how others can improve their self-esteem.

Sep 28, 20236 min read

A person is sitting at a desk in front of an open notebook, holding a pen and appearing to write a letter.

A person is sitting at a desk in front of an open notebook, holding a pen and appearing to write a letter.

Dear Disappointment

A teen writes a letter to his feelings of anxiety, depression, and disappointment.

Sep 20, 20232 min read

A group of young people are holding red plastic Solo cups filled with red liquid and straws at a party.

A group of young people are holding red plastic Solo cups filled with red liquid and straws at a party.

How BRITE Helped Me Cope with My Family’s Addiction

A college student discusses how working with BRITE helped her process her experience growing up around addiction in her family.

Sep 17, 20233 min read

A beautiful illustration of a close up of a human eye. The cornea is blue and green, surrounded by dark eyelashes. There is a reflection in the eye of what looks like a window, that gives the impression of a person looking outside.

A beautiful illustration of a close up of a human eye. The cornea is blue and green, surrounded by dark eyelashes. There is a reflection in the eye of what looks like a window, that gives the impression of a person looking outside.

Teen Mind

A poem written by a teenager about her struggle to be present and enjoy life while she worries about homework and trying to be happy.

Aug 29, 20231 min read

A child stands in the foreground with long hair partially obscuring her face. She is looking down as if she is scared or feeling ashamed. Two adults are arguing in the background and one has their hand held out to the other as if she is pushing him away.

A child stands in the foreground with long hair partially obscuring her face. She is looking down as if she is scared or feeling ashamed. Two adults are arguing in the background and one has their hand held out to the other as if she is pushing him away.

Children Need Support

A college student discusses her experiences with abuse growing up and how it has affected her and her siblings' mental health.

Aug 8, 20233 min read

A white person's hands are stretched out over drug paraphernalia including white powder, a small lit candles, a spoon, and a syringe.

A white person's hands are stretched out over drug paraphernalia including white powder, a small lit candles, a spoon, and a syringe.

Meth and My Life

A college student discusses her experience watching people close to her struggle with meth use and addiction, and the ways it has affected her life.

Jul 31, 20235 min read

A young person is sitting in a wooden chair with their legs folded up against their torso. They are holding their legs with one arm and their other arm is holding onto their head. They appear to be in distress.

A young person is sitting in a wooden chair with their legs folded up against their torso. They are holding their legs with one arm and their other arm is holding onto their head. They appear to be in distress.

Dealing With Anxiety

A college student discusses her experience with anxiety and mental health, and why stigma might keep some people from getting help.

Jul 13, 20234 min read

A man with salt and pepper hair holds a mostly empty bottle of hard alcohol to his forehead. He appears solemn and distraught.

A man with salt and pepper hair holds a mostly empty bottle of hard alcohol to his forehead. He appears solemn and distraught.

Living With An Alcoholic Father

A college student discusses how her dad's alcoholism has affected her family and her decision not to drink.

Jul 9, 20236 min read

A young person is looking at her reflection in a mirror and smiling. She is holding a tube of coral-colored lipstick and has drawn a colorful heart around her face in the mirror. She is happy and joyful.

A young person is looking at her reflection in a mirror and smiling. She is holding a tube of coral-colored lipstick and has drawn a colorful heart around her face in the mirror. She is happy and joyful.

To the Years I Questioned if I Was Ever Pretty Enough…

A college student discusses her experience with beauty standards and finding her self-worth.

Jun 29, 20232 min read

A person is jogging on a beach at sunrise or sunset. They are mid-stride with one leg touching the ground and the other elevated. The sun is bright orange and close to the horizon, reflecting off of the water. There are scattered clouds and a blue sky at the top of the photo. It feels very peaceful.

A person is jogging on a beach at sunrise or sunset. They are mid-stride with one leg touching the ground and the other elevated. The sun is bright orange and close to the horizon, reflecting off of the water. There are scattered clouds and a blue sky at the top of the photo. It feels very peaceful.

Recognizing Harmful vs. Beneficial Coping Mechanisms

A college student discusses beneficial and harmful coping mechanisms and suggests healthy ways to deal with stress.

Jun 18, 20233 min read

Alcohol Abuse Within the Family

A college student discusses alcohol use disorder and the effects that his uncle's addiction has had on his family.

Jun 14, 20234 min read

An illustration of a person with long coral pink hair and blue eyes who is crying. The blue tears run down their face, neck, and pool into a heart shape on the left side of their chest. Their face is making a despondent expression.

An illustration of a person with long coral pink hair and blue eyes who is crying. The blue tears run down their face, neck, and pool into a heart shape on the left side of their chest. Their face is making a despondent expression.

Abusive Relationships

A Ventura County high school student's poem about abusive relationships.

Jun 13, 20231 min read

Four women of various ethnic backgrounds are standing in beige undergarments and holding a sign that says, "All bodies are good bodies." They are smiling and looking joyfully at the camera.

Four women of various ethnic backgrounds are standing in beige undergarments and holding a sign that says, "All bodies are good bodies." They are smiling and looking joyfully at the camera.

Body Image

A college student discusses her experience with body image and the strategies she uses to take care of her body and mental health.

May 30, 20232 min read

Running for Mental Health

Running for Mental Health

Running for Mental Health

A college student discusses her journey with running and challenging herself, and how it has positively effected her mental health.

May 23, 20232 min read

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