Guest Blogger

Conquering Holiday Stress

Contributed by Live Healthy Gwinnett The holidays are approaching, and it’s the most wonderful time of year! As they come, they offer their own special stressors that can make us feel even worse. Experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression during the holiday season is...

Talk Early, Talk Often

Contributed by Aspen Brown Talking early and often is commonly recommended when referring to youth substance use prevention, but what does it look like in practice? Talk Early The toddler years are a prime time to begin having simple conversations on healthy habits....

Building Youth Resistance Strategies and Skills

Contributed by Aspen Brown Major transitions are risk periods for drug initiation and abuse.[1] Transitions from elementary to middle school and so on are paired with unfamiliarity and new social settings. Knowledge of risk factors for drug abuse versus protective...

Supporting a Smoke-free Gwinnett

Contributed by Laura Bracci, Community Advocacy Director, American Heart Association It was 2006 when the U.S. Surgeon General stated there was no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, yet many people in Gwinnett are still exposed in their workplaces and public...

What Youth Development Professionals Need to Know About Gender

Contributed by Jennifer Bateman, Ph.D., National Vice President, Youth Development Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America There is a lot of buzz around the concept of gender these days. Despite how often the term is used in the media, in education, and in...

The Power to Write Your Future

Contributed by Jennifer Bateman, Ph.D., National Vice President, Youth Development Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America Carl Bard says, “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”...