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Welcome to the Straight Up Health Blog! Stay tuned for our latest blog posts about mental health, wellness, and development brought to you by our therapists and specialists in the field.

Overwhelm, Exam Stress, and the Science of Task Initiation
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Overwhelm, Exam Stress, and the Science of Task Initiation

Feeling frozen when you know you need to get things done? This week’s blog explores why getting started can feel impossible during high-stress times like exams and the holidays — and why that doesn’t mean you’re lazy. We break down the psychology of overwhelm and share simple strategies to help you get unstuck.

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Understanding and Supporting Youth Through Rising Absences
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Understanding and Supporting Youth Through Rising Absences

A growing number of students are missing school, and many families are unsure why or how to help. In this blog, we explore what’s driving rising absences in Canada and how parents, caregivers, and clinicians can support youth in returning to school with confidence and care.

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Resetting Your Body and Mind After Daylight Savings
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Resetting Your Body and Mind After Daylight Savings

The clocks are turning back – and while an “extra hour” sounds great, the shift can leave your sleep and energy feeling off. Our latest blog explores how to gently reset your body and mind through light exposure, consistent routines, and small daily habits that help you feel balanced and rested.

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Coping with Seasonal Changes: How Shorter Days Impact Mood and Energy
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Coping with Seasonal Changes: How Shorter Days Impact Mood and Energy

Feeling a little more tired or low-energy as the days get shorter? You’re not alone. In this blog, we explore why seasonal changes affect mood and share simple, everyday strategies — like light exposure, routines, and connection — to keep you feeling balanced this fall and winter.

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Perfectionism: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and How to Cope
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Perfectionism: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and How to Cope

Perfectionism can look like high standards, but it often comes with stress, procrastination, and never feeling “good enough.” In this post, we unpack what perfectionism really is, how it shows up in daily life, and practical ways to cope so you can strive for growth without the pressure of being perfect.

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Resetting Your Sleep Habits This Fall
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Resetting Your Sleep Habits This Fall

Struggling to get back into a healthy sleep routine? Quality rest is key for focus, mood, and overall wellbeing. Our latest blog shares practical tips for resetting your sleep habits this fall and what to do if sleep still feels out of reach.

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Back-to-School and the Art of Making New Friends
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Back-to-School and the Art of Making New Friends

Starting fresh at school can feel exciting — and a little overwhelming. You don’t need a big group of friends to feel a sense of belonging. What matters most is finding a few strong, healthy connections that make you feel supported and seen. This week, we’re exploring the art of making new friends and why quality matters more than quantity.

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When University Doesn’t Feel Like You Expected
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

When University Doesn’t Feel Like You Expected

Starting university doesn’t always feel the way you imagined. Between homesickness, academic pressure, and the stress of building a new routine, the transition can be overwhelming. If your university experience isn’t matching your expectations, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. With time, small steps, and the right support, things can start to feel better.

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Moving Through the Day-One Dread 
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Moving Through the Day-One Dread 

Anticipatory anxiety is real — especially as September nears. Learn why day one feels so hard, what’s actually going on in your brain and body, and how you can move through the nerves with care, not pressure.

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Start Before It’s Hard: Why Therapy Isn’t Just for the Tough Times
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Start Before It’s Hard: Why Therapy Isn’t Just for the Tough Times

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to begin therapy. In fact, the best time to build coping skills, routines, and emotional resilience is before stress hits. Whether you’re heading into a busy school year or anticipating a demanding season at work, starting therapy now helps you feel grounded and confident when challenges arise.

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Understanding Executive Function: The Missing Puzzle Piece in ADHD
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Understanding Executive Function: The Missing Puzzle Piece in ADHD

Struggling with follow-through, focus, or organization? Executive functioning challenges are often the missing link behind these difficulties—and the good news is, these skills can be built. Learn how understanding executive function can transform the way you approach support.

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On Being Present: The In-Between is Where Life Happens
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

On Being Present: The In-Between is Where Life Happens

In a world that’s always asking “what’s next?”, it’s easy to miss the beauty of what’s happening right now. This week, we’re exploring how slowing down and embracing the in-between moments can help young people (and all of us!) feel more grounded, connected, and at ease.

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AI Chatbots in Therapy: Helpful Tool or Human Replacement?
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

AI Chatbots in Therapy: Helpful Tool or Human Replacement?

Many teens and young adults are now turning to AI chatbots for quick mental health support. While these tools can be helpful in some ways, they aren’t a replacement for the deep, human connection that therapy provides. Here’s what AI chatbots can (and can’t) do for our mental health – and why real relationships still matter most.

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Snap Maps and Social Anxiety: What Teens Won’t Tell You
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Snap Maps and Social Anxiety: What Teens Won’t Tell You

Snap Maps might seem like just another social feature, but for many teens, it’s a silent source of stress and anxiety. If your child seems increasingly preoccupied with what others are doing, feels left out, or struggles with social comparison, the pressure of being “always on” might be taking a toll. You're not alone, and there are ways to help.

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Why Teens Vape: Understanding Anxiety, Breathing, and the Role of Compassionate Support
Jen Peacock Jen Peacock

Why Teens Vape: Understanding Anxiety, Breathing, and the Role of Compassionate Support

Vaping among teens continues to rise, and while much of the conversation centres around nicotine addiction and health consequences (rightfully so), there's often a missing piece in the puzzle: why teens start and keep vaping in the first place. For many, vaping isn’t just about peer pressure or rebellion. It’s a coping mechanism, a form of regulation, a pause button.

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