This post was written by a CSUCI student.

We are not defined by our body. We are defined by who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. As we age our bodies change, as do our personalities. We have lived in a society where skinny is thought to be the norm and what is best. Thick and “fat” are seen as horrible and disgusting. Body shaming is no joke and can lead to many...

Written by a CSUCI undergraduate student.

Now being a college student who is about to graduate, the one thing that never changed for me is learning how to manage my stress. During my high school years, it was a constant battle for me to understand how to accept the fact that I was stressed because there was a stereotype among my classmates that being stressed was simply uncalled for...

This post was written by a CSUCI student.

How can parents and youth improve communication with each other, especially when it comes to talking about difficult issues?

Communication is an important key when it comes to being in a relationship either with a partner, a friend, or a family member. Growing up in a Hispanic household, there really wasn’t that much communication within my family...

This post was written by a CSUCI student featuring artwork by Eve Zhong, a Medea Creek Middle School student.

How have you dealt with stress? What are your coping skills? What works for you and what would you suggest for others?

Once you reach that age of becoming an adult, there are things that can become stressful. For me it began once I graduated from high school. I didn't know what it would...

This post was written by a CSUCI student.

I cannot remember the first time I had a panic attack, but I do remember the most recent panic attack I had. Being a senior in college has brought a lot of stress to me because not only is it my last semester but having to think about grad school and what you are doing after graduation is stressful. There are times I catch myself wanting to give up and...

By Amanda Mathis, a local college student

Mental health and well-being plays an important role in one’s life, as well as how we deal with stressors and trauma that can negatively impact us. There are all kinds of possible variations when it comes to how individuals manage painful or difficult emotions, and what they do to regain a better mindset when times get rough. The more coping...

Written by David Zecua, a CSU Channel Islands Service Learning student.

Solitude. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Do you picture yourself being alone in a particular setting or do you picture solitude as an internal sensation? I imagine that we all have heard about or have experienced loneliness at some point in our lives. Loneliness can happen when hanging out with...

Stressed about graduation? It's gonna be okay.

Written by David Zecua, a CSU Channel Islands Service Learning student.

Our semesters are quickly coming to an end and for many students, the end of the school year may be an exciting thing to look forward to and anticipate. It can also be stress- and anxiety-inducing for students having to deal with final exams or...

Here at BRITE, we include a focus on mental health and wellness as a component of our drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs. When you take care of yourself and feel grounded, you are more likely to see things clearly and make better decisions. We found this article’s tips helpful, especially during the darkest season of the year when we tend to hibernate and our thoughts can become...

This post was written by CSUCI student Paige Egizi.

The first time I had a panic attack, I was in junior high. I got a bad grade on a test and I did not want my parents to find out. The idea of them finding out about my grade, the fact I got that grade, and all the other things I was dealing with had caught up to me. I was in my room with my dad and I could not stop crying, my chest felt tight,...

While at home together, take time to talk with your children about healthy choices. Now that children are back in school it is even more important to start the conversations. Here are some tips for talking with your kids about vaping, drugs and alcohol:

• Remember: Parents are the #1 reason that kids choose not to use drugs.

• Start young and make talking about it a regular habit.

• Find the...