For teens exploring their gender identity, gender-affirming care is about more than just physical changes — it’s a journey toward feeling like yourself. But what exactly does it involve? From therapy and outward expression to medical options like hormones, this guide breaks down what to expect in gender-affirming care. At Ascend, we’re here to provide…
Whether you’re a teen navigating your own identity or a parent hoping to better understand a transgender child, having a clear grasp of gender-related terms can make this journey a little bit easier. At Ascend, we’re experts at exploring these topics and providing compassionate support for LGBTQ+ teens who have just started wrestling with these…
Coming out as LGBTQ+ can be both a deeply personal and an emotional process. Whether you’re considering how to come out to your friends or how to come out to your family, this moment is a blend of excitement and anxiety. In honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11th, we’re sharing some tips…
AI seems like it’s on a world takeover. From AI-generated answers to your searches on Google to chatbots on websites, AI is becoming an unavoidable part of daily life. And now, it’s even making its way into the field of mental health. Whether people are looking for information on mental health, trying out a generative…
As a teenager, it’s easy to feel like you’re invincible. Mental health and overall well-being may not be at the forefront of your mind, but they play an essential role in your life. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. In fact, the two are…
How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health If your teen is struggling with their mental health, it’s natural to question what may have caused their struggles. As a parent, you may worry that your actions, your own struggles with mental health, or something else you did may have contributed to your child’s challenges. While it’s…
How you spend your time can have a huge impact on your mental health. If you’re constantly stressed out by school, worried about the future, or struggling with depression or anxiety, having an outlet that doesn’t cause more stress can actually help your mental health. Finding hobbies for mental health doesn’t have to be yet…
Welcome back to another Day in the Life blog from Ascend, where we spotlight a member of our team and the work they do for us. This month, we’re focusing on one of our on-the-ground team members, Manny the mentor. He works overnight in our facilities, helping ensure our houses have 24-hour monitoring and support.…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that can cause a lot of distress and anxiety. In TV and movies, it usually looks like someone who is obsessed with cleanliness and order. But in reality, OCD can look very different for each person who experiences it. The term “complex manifestations” refers to the many different…
Have you ever felt like you needed to put on a different face to fit in with your friends or classmates? Maybe you felt like you had to laugh at a joke that wasn’t really funny or pretend to like something just because everyone else did. Perhaps you even felt like you had to hide…