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While the season can be a special time that, hopefully, brings joy and innocence, it also can sometimes be accompanied by stress, tension and anxiety.

More than 80 percent of the people in the United States have social media and spend an average of about two and a half hours on such platforms every day. Yet research has consistently shown that social media usage has been associated with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self-isolation, disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and even physical health challenges.

Using social media activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical linked to pleasurable activities, and too much or too little of it has been linked with mental health disorders and challenges.

This year students are returning to school amid a pandemic. This period of adjustment can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues, particularly for individuals already experiencing things like anxiety or depression.

At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a movement is happening that carries with it potentially far reaching and lasting impacts as it pertains to how we as a society perceive mental health and well-being. When Simone Biles withdrew from gymnastics competition and Naomi Osaka took to the tennis court on the heels of withdrawing from the French Open, both athletes noted their mental health struggles.

While physical disorders like chronic disease and neurological disorders like dementia are key issues for those over the age of 60, around 15 percent of seniors suffer from a mental disorder. The most common of which are depression and anxiety disorders.

Racial, ethnic, gender and sexual minorities are less likely to receive proper mental illness diagnosis and treatment and have less access to quality mental health care compared to majority peers.

Having insight into what therapy may look like and what to expect might help provide a sense of comfort and allow you to take that step more confidently.

Research has routinely shown that the therapeutic alliance, or the relationship between therapist and client, is an important determining factor in the success of therapy.

Taking steps to improve a parent’s mental health can aid in providing a safe, healthy and stable environment for children.