Blog | BriteYouth

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.

Abusive Relationships

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

Sofia Noriega

Jun 14, 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.

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.

Anonymous

May 31, 20232 min read

Running for Mental Health

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

Anonymous

May 24, 20232 min read

A small, bright blue toy truck is crashing into a pint glass full of amber-colored beer that is spilling on to the table.

My Friend's DUI & Struggle with Alcohol

A college student discusses a friend's experience getting a DUI and struggle with alcohol abuse.

Anonymous

May 12, 20234 min read

A close up image of an orange Rx bottle of white pills that is spilling on to a table next to a metal stethoscope and empty syringe.

The Seriousness of the Opioid Crisis

A CSUCI student discusses their experience with the opioid crisis in Ventura County.

Anonymous

May 1, 20233 min read

A hand is laying on a table, palm facing up. The hand is chained to a bottle of hard liquor, also sitting on the table.

How Did This Happen?

A poem written by a college student about the experience of drinking and alcohol use disorder.

Anonymous

Apr 24, 20231 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.

How to Prevent Rx Drug Abuse & Overdoses in Ventura County

A discussion of April 2023 Rx Take Back Day including local Ventura County resources to help with drug abuse and overdose prevention.

Ashley H

Apr 14, 20232 min read

Four people are standing in their underwear facing the camera holding a sign that says, "All bodies are good bodies!!" They are of different ethnicities, body sizes, shapes, and are staring at the viewer with strength and confidence.

Social Media and Body Image

A college student discusses social media's negative effect on body image.

Anonymous

Apr 10, 20232 min read

A person is sitting at a table covered with various drugs and drug paraphernalia including marijuana, a syringe, a lit candle, a lighter, and a spoon with white powder on it. The person's face is obscured. Their right hand is holding a tiny bag of white powder and their left hand is held up with fingers outstretched, as if they're saying no.

Drug Abuse

A college student discusses his experience with a friend who overdosed, and how he tries to advocate a drug-free lifestyle to his peers.

Anonymous

Apr 6, 20233 min read

A gender-fluid person wearing a colorful shirt joyfully waves a rainbow flag in the air above their head.

Fluidity

A college student discusses the concept of gender fluidity and how adults can support gender-fluid youth.

Anonymous

Mar 27, 20232 min read

A young Black man is working out in a gym setting, with his arms reaching up to a metal bar. His hands have chalk on them and his face is straining as he concentrates to finish the movement. He looks powerful and committed.

Sobriety and Fitness

A college student discusses why he chooses sobriety and how he uses fitness as his motivation.

Anonymous

Mar 24, 20232 min read

A young person with long brown hair is sitting at a desk, looking at a laptop. They have their head in their hands and look exasperated.

Stressing About the Future? Read This.

An undergraduate college student discusses ways to handle stress and anxiety about the future.

Anonymous

Mar 14, 20232 min read

A small stack of brownies cut into squares with a couple of cannabis buds in front against a black background.

Spotlight on Cannabis Edibles

A short quiz and information about cannabis edibles, including their effects on the developing brain.

Ashley H

Feb 27, 20232 min read

Image shows a Black family walking outdoors. The parents are both carrying a child on their backs, and everyone is smiling and laughing.

Communication

A college student discusses the importance of communication between parents/caregivers and their children, especially around difficult issues.

Anonymous

Feb 23, 20233 min read

An illustration of a person with their head in their hands, looking stressed out, surrounded by the words in red, "Money? Future? Jobs? Grades?" In front of the person are music notes and the words, "Exercise, music, hobbies, dancing..." in a more peaceful font and color.

Stress and Coping Skills

A college student discusses her experience with stress and the coping skills she uses to work through her worry and maintain her mental health.

Anonymous

Feb 15, 20232 min read

An illustration of a large, open eye superimposed over a scene of people dancing, lit by a crescent moon and some stars.

Depression

A poem by a Ventura County high school student about her experience with depression.

Sofia Noriega

Jan 23, 20232 min read

A brown table has a set of car keys on it, next to a tipped over shot glass that has spilled alcohol onto the table.

Get a Ride, Don't Drink and Drive

A college student describes ways to prevent impaired and drunk driving, including what to do if your friend is impaired and wants to drive.

Anonymous

Jan 9, 20232 min read

A wood surface has a map of the United States across it in white with an orange pill bottle laying on it's side across the map. White pills are spilling out across the table and some are crushed into a powder. The text reads, "The Opioid Crisis."

The Opioid Crisis

A college student's research about opioid use, misuse, and abuse in the US and Ventura County including information on overdoses and local resources.

Anonymous

Jan 4, 20236 min read

A young woman is bending over a table with pieces of a broken mirror on it, trying to put the pieces back together.

Mental Health in the Teenage Years

A high school student interviews another high school student about her experience with depression and how she takes care of her mental health.

Anonymous

Dec 27, 20225 min read

An illustration of a person in an orange puffy coat standing with their arms on a railing, looking at a melting glacier.

Global Warming

A poem about global warming written by a group of teens and young adults at a writer's group meeting.

Anonymous

Dec 27, 20221 min read

THE BRITE BLOG

Categories

Abusive Relationships

Body Image

Running for Mental Health

My Friend's DUI & Struggle with Alcohol

The Seriousness of the Opioid Crisis

How Did This Happen?

How to Prevent Rx Drug Abuse & Overdoses in Ventura County

Social Media and Body Image

Drug Abuse

Fluidity

Sobriety and Fitness

Stressing About the Future? Read This.

Spotlight on Cannabis Edibles

Communication

Stress and Coping Skills

Depression

Get a Ride, Don't Drink and Drive

The Opioid Crisis

Mental Health in the Teenage Years

Global Warming