Imagine for a moment that your body is a tree. Your brain is the branches, full of thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Your spinal column is the sturdy trunk, and beneath the surface, hidden yet essential, are your roots—your nerves—spreading throughout your body. Among these, one stands out: a deep taproot that connects and communicates with nearly every part of the tree. When the soil changes, or when the environment shifts, this root sends signals to the entire system, adjusting accordingly. In your body, that taproot is the vagus nerve, and it plays a critical role in your physical and mental well-being.

I know–anxiety? A friend? How in the world could anxiety be my friend? 

Believe me, I hear you. How could something that causes so much turmoil be beneficial for us? How could something that makes our palms sweat, our legs bounce, and our throats constrict be good? 

Well, here’s the kicker. Sometimes, anxiety can help us do wonderful things.

Dissociation, or the feeling of being disconnected from yourself and/or the world around you, is felt by many teens and young adults

Maybe you’ve noticed that #dissociation has been all over social media, with people sharing their experiences of feeling "out of it" or disconnected from reality. While we’re glad social media has made mental health topics more accessible, it’s important to remind ourselves that it can also spread misinformation

Understanding your rights to access mental health care and your privacy surrounding it are crucial to getting the help you need and to feeling comfortable and confident in your therapy journey. Let’s dive into the details of your rights as a Colorado teen in mental health care settings.