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...

By Amanda Mathis, a local college student

As I open my eyes from the darkness of night, I see light that shines through my curtain. Each day presents itself with beams of warmth and illumination. I get out of bed and get ready for a new day filled with experiences and sensation. I walk to the kitchen and am greeted with kind smiles and eyes. To know others care for me and love me in ways I will...

The LGBTQ+ community suffers from high rates of substance use. Up to 30% of the LGBTQ+ community struggles with substance use compared to 9% of the general population. Why is this? Some factors include their experiences of bullying, hate, discrimination, stigmatization, rejection by those around them including their family and/or peers, isolation, and other extreme stressors. LGBTQ+...

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...

I still do not understand what my gender is. I do not know if I am nonbinary, gender fluid, genderless or have a set gender. To be honest, I think it really depends on the day. Some days I feel more feminine, others I feel more masculine. It depends but I have no concrete label for it.

In my Instagram bio and all the other places that ask...

By Olivea Herrera, one of our Young Adult Guest Bloggers

I learned many things throughout high school, and all the way up until graduation. School in itself taught me to keep composure when the system was failing its students. It taught me to be even stronger when they didn’t do anything about things that really upset the students. Yet, that is not the topic. It could be a topic for a...

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...

This post was written by Tamara E. Citrowske.

Hello everyone, my name is Tamara E. Citrowske. I am here to share my personal story of a family member who suffered from alcohol and substance abuse, and ultimately got the help she was looking for to live a sober life. This person who suffered from alcoholism and drugs is my cousin who is now 24 years old, living a happier and healthier...

This post was written by a CSUCI Service-learning student. 

Hello Everyone! I am writing this blog to give people some healthy alternatives to dealing with life that do not involve drugs or alcohol. Growing up in a drug-addicted family where most of my relatives did drugs was very stressful because I got to see the negative effects and tolls that drug and alcohol consumption have on the...

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

Can you remember the last time you were working on an assignment or a task at the last minute before it needed to be completed? Can you recall the stress that was going through your body as you were trying to complete the task in time? Procrastination is very much a malicious trap. It's a habit that people...

Self-Harm

People often keep their habit a secret, but the urge to self-harm isn’t uncommon, especially in adolescents and young adults. Many overcome it with treatment.

Whether a person has recently started hurting his or herself or has been doing it for a while, there is an opportunity to improve health and reduce behaviors. Talking to a doctor or a trusted friend or family member is the...

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...