Parent Burnout Is Real, Yet Treatable Parent burnout is real. It often starts small, and can lead to impairment in a parent’s ability to complete their responsibilities towards their children. It can make it difficult to balance work, social, and family aspects of your life. Unfortunately, if a parent feels distress, the children will too. […]
Changes in season can be really hard, particularly following many (too many) months of a global pandemic. For some, transitioning into winter can bring happy and enjoyable feelings. However, for others, this transition can also prompt feelings of overwhelm or dread, as we move towards colder weather, holiday planning, and staying inside more. Every year, […]
Snowflakes, soft and fluffy, were floating down, atop the 8 inches of snow on the ground. I watched my dog delightedly running circles in the yard as if to say, “Yey! Fresh snow! Look at me!” I called my 12 year-old son to the window. “I wonder why all dogs, big or small, short coats […]
Gratitude is the practice of noticing good things in our world. It means taking the time to see the small, things that happen to us every day.
Depression affects children, adolescents, and adults. It affects people from all income levels and ethnic backgrounds. Research estimates indicate that at least 2-6% of all children and 10-35 % of all adults are diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Unfortunately, less than 20% of children receive the help that they need. Because you are now reading this, you are taking action to help your child, and that is a very important choice.
Depression is serious business, particularly in children and adolescents. Depression impacts about of 20 percent of teens prior to adulthood, and research supports that these numbers are increasing. Sadly, when depression rates increase, so do rates of suicide, self-injury, and substance abuse. Many times, as parents, we struggle with how to help and what to […]
Marissa opened her Facebook page, and saw a picture of her college roommate with her family. Her college roommate was celebrating her 15th wedding anniversary, and shared a picture of herself and her family on a Disney cruise to the Caribbean, with a hashtag of #itsawonderfullife. Marissa groaned, and then started to cry. Not only […]
Suicide help can be an intimidating topic Even using the word suicide can halt a conversation. Unfortunately, this tends to lead to fear, shame, and silence. What we know – undoubtedly – is that fear, shame, and silence are not the answer. Below are a few things to know about suicide help, and a few […]
Many parents, children, and adolescents have been spending time talking about the book and follow-up mental health series, 13 Reasons Why. This series graphically details teenage sexual assault, bullying, and suicide. The main character tragically dies by suicide.It is always good to offer discussion and awareness about mental health. However, all over the world, mental […]
It can be very overwhelming to know what to do when your child seems depressed at school. “Frankie, what I am going to do with you?” Frankie’s mother sighs, as she wonders these thoughts aloud. Frankie is a 9-year-old boy attending a new school. His family moved from out of state recently, and he has […]
It can be very difficult to talk to children about suicide Suicide is often very confusing and difficult for children and adults to understand. Many adults have mixed reactions, often questioning spiritual truths, models of mental illness, and issues of choice. Many survivors of suicide report a combination of feelings, from anger, anxiety, disbelief, and […]
Stop the avoidance
Many parents have appropriately question whether there is anything they can do to keep their children safe, strong, and healthy. Many parents, even myself at times, avoid thinking about all the hard things their children may face. Sometimes, this avoidance feels easier than contemplating a future that seems so scary or uncontrollable. However, by avoiding thoughts of fear or tough things in the world, we also evade making healthier changes in our lives, and our children’s lives.
