In The News
Are we ready for a post-lockdown Christmas?
While shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach recently, I passed Santa’s Village and did a double take. Santa was alone. He was standing in the doorway, gazing outward. He noticed me noticing him and waved. I waved back. It all felt just a little … sad. Why did Santa look so forlorn? Where was … Read More
5 Signs Your Teen is in Crisis
“Help.” This simple, powerful word demands attention. And yet, when it comes to young adult mental health, too often it goes unheard. A new survey commissioned by the California Endowment found that more than three-quarters of young adults reported anxiety. If you or a loved one is in need of mental health support, Hoag offers … Read More
Patrick’s Purpose Announces Donations to Hoag’s ASPIRE Program and Scripps College
Patrick’s Purpose Foundation has announced two major donations to Hoag Hospital’s ASPIRE Program and the Scripps College Mental Health Fund. Thanks to many generous donors, Patrick’s Purpose is gifting $50,000 to the Hoag ASPIRE Program over the next two years. The ASPIRE program is a group-based outpatient program designed for teens who are experiencing a … Read More
Take Five: Meet Prerna Rao, Clinical Manager for Hoag Hospital’s ASPIRE Program
I recently learned that the Patrick’s Purpose Foundation donated $50,000 to Hoag Hospital’s ASPIRE program. I have been familiar with Patrick’s Purpose since its creation and know that it was created to honor the legacy and character of Patrick Turner, who died of suicide in 2018. But I was not familiar with the ASPIRE … Read More
Hoag Experts Share Strategies for Parents and Children During the Pandemic
Virtually every segment of life has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the changes have been particularly difficult for young people, according to Hoag Hospital adolescent mental health experts. At an Oct. 28 webinar, Hoag Hospital experts discussed strategies for parents to support children’s emotional and mental health during the pandemic. Speakers included Dr. … Read More
Parents Worried About Social Media Today as Much as Radio Worried Parents Years Ago
Plain and simple, all parents worry. In the 1930s, they worried about the effects of listening to the radio would have on their children’s priorities. In the 1950s, it was the accessibility of “adult” content on television. It wasn’t until the 1980s, though, that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) came up with guidelines for … Read More
Atherosclerosis and How it Relates to Coronary Artery Disease
The tragedy of Coronary Artery Disease is that it is essentially an “after the fact” diagnosis. This means that a clinical event has to have happened: anginal chest discomfort, acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, placement of a stent, or coronary bypass operation. Once any of these have occurred, a patient is now diagnosed with Coronary … Read More
Teen Suicide Continues to Increase, but There is Hope in the Trenches
In a darkened high school auditorium, the tragedy and reality of teen suicide hits like a gut punch. A short, stark video shows the parents of 16-year-old Patrick Turner grasping one another’s hands for support, speaking about their son taking his life and giving voice to their teenager’s final plea in a letter discovered after … Read More
Identifying Substance Abuse Disorders and Vaping Dangers
CUSD hosted our first speaker series event in partnership with Hoag Hospital on September 11 at Capistrano Valley High School. Thank you to those of you who joined us for the event. If you were unable to attend, we invite you to watch this important discussion with the video recording linked here. A complete recap … Read More
Keeping Kids Healthy And Sane In A Digital World
Smartphones, tablets and video consoles can be addictive. They interfere with sleep. They draw kids into an alternate universe, often distracting them from more productive — and healthier — real-world activities. And they are linked to anxiety and depression, learning disabilities and obesity. That’s according to a growing body of research emphasizing the physical and … Read More