UBCNews

Trauma often leaves survivors questioning their own judgment, capabilities, and worth. Confidence, once steady, can feel fragile or entirely absent. The good news is that confidence is not a fixed trait lost forever. It can be rebuilt , says the team at Heal Thrive Dream Holistic Services, though the process looks different from generic self-esteem advice and requires an approach grounded in how trauma actually affects the mind and body. Understanding Why Trauma Undermines Confidence Trauma changes how the brain processes safety and risk. The nervous system, primed to detect threat, can make everyday decisions feel overwhelming long after the traumatic event has passed. This is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It is a physiological response, and understanding this distinction is often the first step toward self-compassion rather than self-blame. Survivors frequently describe a loss of trust in their own perceptions, particularly if the trauma involved betrayal, manipulation,...

Key Takeaways: A UCLA report found that nearly a quarter of California adolescents aged 15-17 reported having had suicidal thoughts in their lifetime - and most never receive professional treatment. Weekly outpatient therapy is a strong starting point, but it is not always enough for teens whose self-harm is escalating or becoming more frequent. An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a meaningful middle ground - more structured than weekly therapy, without requiring a teen to leave home or school. Evidence-based approaches like DBT-A and CBT are the clinical backbone of effective teen self-harm treatment, and are central to how structured programs like IOP work. A UCLA report found that nearly a quarter of California adolescents aged 15-17 reported having had suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. Rates of nonfatal self-harm in UC hospitals increased in 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels, particularly among young people aged 10-19. And in California, suicide was the seco...

Key Takeaways: A significant percentage of all commercial real estate deals fall apart during due diligence - thorough preparation is the difference between a smart investment and a costly mistake. Defining clear goals before you search filters out properties that don't fit your strategy, saving time and capital. Location, physical condition, legal standing, and financial performance all need to pass scrutiny before a deal deserves a signature. Planning your exit before you close keeps long-term returns intact. Buying commercial property is one of the most consequential financial decisions an investor can make. The upside is real: stable cash flow, long-term appreciation, and portfolio diversification. The downside - when due diligence is rushed or skipped - can mean inheriting contaminated soil, unresolved liens, or a building that needs a new roof the moment you take ownership. The sections below walk through every major checkpoint in the order they matter. ~30% of CRE Deals Fal...

Key Takeaways: Treadmills and other exercise equipment can qualify as tax-advantaged medical expenses - but only when supported by a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed healthcare provider. The IRS classifies fitness equipment as a "dual-purpose" expense, which is why an LMN is required to unlock HSA or FSA eligibility. Common diagnosed conditions - including hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic back pain - frequently meet the bar for LMN approval. FSA funds typically expire at the end of the plan year, often December 31st. While some employers offer a grace period or allow a limited amount to be carried over, understanding how to use them before the deadline could save you hundreds of dollars. Spending pre-tax dollars on a treadmill sounds like a loophole, but it's a completely legitimate path - when done correctly. The process comes down to one critical document: a Letter of Medical Necessity . Here's exactly how it works, who qualifie...

Key Takeaways The college your student attends after high school - not the one that issued the dual enrollment credit - makes the final call on whether those credits count. Dual enrollment and dual credit are related but distinct terms; understanding the difference helps families set realistic expectations. General education courses transfer more reliably than specialized or vocational ones, but even general ed credits can be denied. Kansas families benefit from a Board of Regents cooperative agreement framework, but gaps still exist - especially for students heading to private or out-of-state schools. Getting written confirmation from your student's target college before enrolling in any dual credit course is the single most important step a family can take. Dual enrollment is one of the most appealing options available to high school families right now. Save money, get a head start, test college readiness - the pitch makes sense. But there is a detail buried in the fine print th...

Key Takeaways: Tenant turnover and property damage costs can average $1,500 to $1,750 per incident - and DIY inspections often miss the warning signs before costs reach that level. Most U.S. states require 24 to 48 hours of written notice before entry; getting this wrong can expose landlords to serious legal liability. Inconsistent documentation during self-conducted inspections is one of the top reasons landlords lose security deposit disputes. Professional inspectors produce objective, credible reports that hold up far better in court than handwritten landlord notes. Landlords who conduct routine professional inspections spend 40% less on emergency repairs - a stat worth reading twice before skipping that next walkthrough. Most landlords handle their own inspections to save money. It feels straightforward - walk through the unit, take a few notes, snap some photos. But that instinct is costing landlords thousands of dollars every year in missed hazards, legal missteps, and disputes t...