Articles

At age 69, my mom received a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, and for the remaining three years of her life, doctor’s appointments, medication side effects, and ultimately metastasized cancer cells stole all that she loved.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are looking beyond the individual symptoms of child and adolescent distress. At The Family Institute at Northwestern University, we believe that relationships—past and present, however they are defined—are the center of life for everyone. As we look at the global shifts in youth mental health over the last five to six years, one truth has become undeniable: Our relationships play a most vital role in our health, our well-being,…

It’s a common question – and it rests on an assumption: that leaving is a straightforward choice. It also assumes there was full choice. It also keeps a dynamic in motion – one where responsibility quietly shifts inward. In many cases of narcissistic abuse, it isn’t.

Whether you have already booked your first therapy session or are contemplating starting therapy, it’s understandable to have questions. It can be hard to know what to expect from therapy, and many of us aren’t quite sure how the process actually works. It’s also understandable to feel some pre-therapy nerves or uneasiness at the thought of pursuing therapy. Hopefully, these 10 therapy facts will help answer some of your questions or put you a little more at ease.

Spring break offers teens a chance to relax and take a break from school, but it often comes with increased screen time and social media use. Without the usual structure of daily routines, teens may spend more time online, which can impact their sleep, mood, and overall mental health. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping teens develop healthy digital habits during this time.

Imagine you just met someone.  You feel it in your stomach – this one feels different!  And you hope this person feels the same way! I’ve never felt this way about anyone.

Have you ever wondered why cities ignite with passion, focus, motivation, drive, and excitement for their teams, especially in the playoffs? It’s because fandom is belonging, specifically shared belonging, the team, the city becomes an identity. Shared experiences amplify our individual experience, and even the most peripheral fan gets hooked. From a sport psychology lens, shared identity amplifies emotion–the joys and the disappointments.

Although social media is often associated with negative mental health outcomes, emerging research highlights several conditions under which social media use can enhance well-being, strengthen social support, and promote positive psychological functioning. This article synthesizes recent empirical findings (2019–2024) to outline evidence-based guidelines for more productive, intentional, and health-promoting social media engagement.