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In 2017, many of us live our lives around technology. We’re on our computers from 9 – 5 and then often times will spend the rest of our night watching Netflix on the TV or surfing the web on our personal computers. No matter which way you look at it, technology is one of the biggest aspects of our lives.

Looking back at our childhood, we didn’t have the same technology that we have today. However, children are very much at the forefront of this technological revolution that we are going through today. In fact, by the time they enter middle school, they may have a wealth of information about the technology that is in use today. But how does this affect them growing up?

Social In A Different Way

The biggest difference between ourselves and our children is the way they interact with their peers. Think back to when you were a child – when you wanted to contact a friend, you would have to wait for your Mom to hang up the home phone, or go outside and walk over to their house to see if they were available. Those days are now gone for the newest generation of kids.

Studies show that up to 60% of children aged 10 to 11 have their own cell phones. This means that they no longer have to make the trek to their friend’s house to see if they’re home – they can simply text them. This is having an impact on children’s social lives in the sense that social interaction is now often times happening online rather than in person.

The World At Their Fingertips

While many people make it seem as though technology has been the worst thing to ever happen to this generation’s children, there are many benefits to be had. One benefit is the wealth of information the internet provides children with.

Children’s brains are a sponge that are always absorbing information. Whether a child realizes it or not, they are always learning new things around them. If you’ve ever talked to a child, you know how curious their minds are. They always have a question on their mind, ones that even as adults, we don’t always have an answer to.

The internet provides them with a platform to find this information. If they want to know why an apple is red, they can find out. It’s like having millions of school books all in one place, and can really benefit a child’s learning experience.

Internet Safety

Of course, internet safety is a huge concern – and even more when it relates to our children. It’s incredibly important to monitor children’s activity when browsing the internet in order to ensure that they aren’t going places they shouldn’t. It’s also important that they know everyone they are in contact with online – as you don’t want them interacting with less than favorable people.

Luckily there are tools to monitor children’s activity online. They are programs which can block certain websites, turn off internet access at different times and monitor the websites that the children are going on. In any case, it’s important to monitor your child’s internet activity until they are much older!

We are living in a time where technology has taken over. It’s hard to escape, and it’s a great idea to introduce children to it slowly so that they can learn to use it safely. Technology isn’t slowing down, so stay on top of it with your kids!

Often times we hear stories about people with mental illnesses and wonder to ourselves, “Do I also have a mental illness? This is only natural – in fact people who have mental illnesses themselves don’t often know they have one. This can often lead to self-diagnosing and in turn can take a dark path toward self-medicating by abusing drugs and alcohol.

This is often seen in terms of anxiety disorders. Many people will self-diagnose themselves with an anxiety disorder when it is not usually the case. These people can easily mistake their natural nervousness as an anxiety disorder – which is why we here at Holy Cross want to help teach the difference between anxiety and nerves.

Anxiety Disorders

There are many different types of anxiety disorders that all share a common theme – anxiety at times when there should be none. It gets in the way of everyday life and often takes control of you. It can reduce you to not being able to perform daily tasks and lose contact with friends and family.

These fears are often times very irrational. For example, social phobias inhibit you from talking to others as the very thought of it fills the person with fear and dread. This isn’t just nerves – having to talk to someone can result in an anxiety attack – which is when your body pumps adrenaline and activates your fight or flight response. This will make you act irrationally, raise your blood pressure and make breathing more difficult.

Nervousness

Nervousness, on the other hand, are something that we all experience at some time or another. Whether it be standing in front of a crowd, having to make a sales call or climb up heights that we’re not comfortable with, nervousness often accompanies these tasks. The difference is that nervousness is a natural reaction – and is rational.

When we’re nervous, it’s because we are out of our comfort zone. Our palms will get sweaty, our heartrates will rise – but it is something that we as human beings can overcome. If we never felt nervous, then we wouldn’t be human.

When Nervousness Is Not Normal

The differentiating factor between nervousness and anxiety disorder is when a fear becomes irrational and takes over your life. If you find yourself feeling out of control over things that other people you know have no trouble with, you may have an underlying disorder. The problem is, many people are making the mistake of mistaking their nervousness as anxiety. If you have to talk infront of a crowd – it’s rational for you to feel nervous. However, if you find yourself fearful of doing everyday tasks such as crossing the street, driving, or going to work – there may be an issue that needs to be addressed.

When a fear becomes irrational, there’s no shame in seeking help. It’s a battle that doesn’t need to be fought alone. If you or someone you know is battling a suspected anxiety disorder – please do not hesitate. Contact Holy Cross Counseling today.

If you have never been physically addicted to a substance, then it can be very hard to understand what addiction is. Until you experience it yourself, you will never be able to know the hold addiction has on your brain and body. With that lack of understanding, it can be hard to produce empathy for people who have a substance addiction. That is why we here at Holy Cross Services want to help people have an understanding to addiction – and why our brains get addicted to these substances.
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Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. In excess, it can do lots of damage to your body as well as your mind. However is there more to alcohol that isn’t always talked about? One example of this is the conversation of whether or not alcohol is a gateway drug. There are multiple viewpoints to this but the consensus is widely agreed upon – alcohol use can very well lead to the experimentation of other substances.
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According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), 50% of the people who have a severe mental condition also have a substance abuse problem.

The JAMA also found that 37% of alcoholics have a mental illness, as do 53 % of drug addicts. These high rates make the relationship between mental health and drug abuse a strong one.
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Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the average American to know somebody who has a drinking problem. Whether it’s a friend, family member or colleague – chances are we all know someone who hits the bottle a little too often. However, don’t lose your faith in these people – they can fix their ways with your help.
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Having children is a huge decision, and it is one that should never be taken lightly. When you’re thinking of having a child, it means putting your life on hold. It means organizing your finances, making household decisions and making sure that you and your partner are on the exact same page. But in the end – being a parent is one of the greatest gifts of all.
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According to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, approximately 13,000 Michigan children are currently in foster care. This means that 13,000 children had to leave unsafe situations in their homes to seek help and care in order to gain a chance for a better life. However, there is a severe shortage of foster care homes available in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services officials has stated that some children have been sent several miles away from their homes in order to find a licensed foster care home that is available, which can be detrimental to a child if they are taken away from their community. State officials are always looking for families willing to open up their home to vulnerable children in need of foster care.
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May is a very special month here at Holy Cross Children’s Services. That’s because May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Throughout May, we will be taking initiatives to raise awareness toward foster care through stories, experiences and how you can be a part of helping a child in their time of need. Remember – you can be a part of the solution. Play a part in enhancing the lives of youth in foster care.
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