October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and it’s important to talk to our children about bullying, how to stop it, and how it can affect their mental wellbeing. 1 in 5 students report being bullied during their time at school. This of course can lead to negative side effects such as poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and fractured relationships with family and friends. Bullying often takes place when adults aren’t present or there is minimal supervision, i.e.

When we talk about mental health or substance use, one word comes up often: stigma. But what does it really mean and why does it matter so much? What Is Stigma? Stigma is a negative belief or attitude about a person or group. It often shows up as judgment, stereotypes, or unfair assumptions. For mental health and substance use, stigma can look like labeling someone based on a diagnosis or experience instead of seeing them as a whole person. How Stigma Shows Up Stigma isn’t al