Substance use, including alcohol and illicit drugs, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people who already struggled with substance use have faced social isolation, financial distress, limited healthcare access, and anxiety symptoms. This can increase their use of drugs or alcohol as a way to cope.Addressing substance misuse in adolescentsUnfortunately, this trend has not only…
Peer Support Services teams up our clients with trained professionals – people, just like our clients, who also experienced and overcome their own mental health difficulties. Having experienced similar struggles, our Certified Peer Support Specialists are uniquely positioned to listen, understand, guide, and simply be there for our clients at each step in their journey…
Individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), from childhood to adulthood, often experience sleep difficulties and disorders. These include shorter sleep time, difficulty falling or staying asleep, racing thoughts, and bursts of energy at night. Other issues include sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.Possible causes of sleep problems associated with ADHD include:Disruptions to the parts of the brain…
By now you have seen that behavioral health needs have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve already talked about how substance use and mental health issues like anxiety and depression are on the rise.These issues occur whether or not individuals were exposed to the novel coronavirus or developed COVID-19. Newer research, however, suggests a possible link between…
Like other parts of the country, Idaho has faced increased mental health and substance misuse challenges during the last year. Here we look at a few recent stories of behavioral health in Idaho.Behavioral Health Services Fragmented, Uneven in Idaho SchoolsA new survey of Idaho schools, conducted by Education Northwest with support from the State Department of Education,…
Managing your own life can be challenging enough; caring for a child with a Serious Emotional Disorder (SED) on-top of it can be overwhelming. Our respite program can provide a much-needed break to parents and primary caregivers so they can relax and attend to their needs while knowing their loved one is in the care…
Our team of interns from Boise State School of Social Work created a presentation for guests at the Boise Rescue Mission Ministries today to address learning life skills and implementing them into our daily lives. So proud of Calley and Shima for all their hard work put in and the effect is had on those…
Previously we’ve examined how behavioral health issues, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, have increased during the COVID-19 public health emergency. One behavioral health concern that has received less attention, however, is the variety of eating disorders that can affect people of all ages. Eating disorders can take many forms and show many different symptoms.…
If you like music, you probably already know it can affect your mood. Maybe you put on your favorite song to pump yourself up for an important meeting or listen to soothing music when you’re relaxing at home before bed. Research has demonstrated the benefits of music therapy for people with depression and anxiety.1 While music…
