Articles, videos and more to keep your family healthy.
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Due to COVID-19, many children are spending more time at home with their parents. During this pandemic, kids have learned about the risks of being around large groups of people. They’ve followed new rules about wearing a mask, hand washing and social distancing. But now, as schools and activities resume, many children – even those who were once excited to go to school – feel intense separation anxiety about leaving their parents’ side.
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Each winter you might notice a dip in your child's mood and a change in their behavior, and then witness them return to being themselves again once springtime hits. You might even experience these seasonal changes yourself.
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Does your child seem unusually sad, irritable or quiet lately? Such changes in mood could be due to a temporary stress in life. But how do you know if it's something more? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children with depression and anxiety has increased over time, and 3.2% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have a current diagnosis of depression.
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According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
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According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates are on the rise in the U.S., including among children and teens. As of 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the age of 15 and 19. Most suicide attempts in children and adolescents occur when children have depression or other mood disorders.
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A new school year can trigger feelings of anxiety in children of all ages. There are new classes, teachers, friends and pressures, all mixed with the physical changes of growing up. As a parent, you are the first responder in your child's life when they feel anxious. But it can be difficult to know what's a normal amount of nerves and how you can help.
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The news about a youth mental health crisis in the wake of the pandemic has been alarming. In October 2021, health groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the urgent need to address the mental health crisis in children and teens in our country.
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As children and teens spend more time online, it’s easier than ever for them to experience cyberbullying – and the effects can be serious. The mental toll of enduring unkind comments, cruel memes or untrue rumors can add up, leaving victims of cyberbullying feeling depressed and isolated.
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Nerves can sometimes be a good thing. In the case of school, a little bit of anxiety can act as a motivator for children to study. However, too much anxiety can lead to poor performance.
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Whether it is the constant connection to technology, a busier schedule than ever before or other factors, today's children are facing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression than previous generations.
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Childhood is often thought of as a carefree time without worries. However, it’s important to know that children can experience anxiety, just like adults. The good news is you can help your child better handle anxiety.
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When your child is being bullied, it can be difficult to know the best way to help him or her respond. However, through this experience, you can help your child build confidence and self-esteem by giving him or her the tools to successfully address the situation.
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One reason a child might be hesitant to tell a parent about bullying is fear about how a parent will react and fear of receiving unwanted attention at school if their parent intervenes. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares strategies for parents to help their children be open in their communication about bullying.
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Parents often want to know what they can do in their own interactions with their kids to give them the confidence to deal with bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for children.
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If your child is being bullied at school, he or she might be hesitant to share that information with you. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares signs to look for if you suspect your child is being bullied or teased.
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Parents often want to know the best way to talk to their kids about bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares tips for keeping lines of communication open about the topic.
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Whether your child is being bullied or acting like a bully at school, these behaviors can affect their self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. As a parent, you can help protect your child’s emotional well-being by watching out for the signs of bullying and getting your child the help they need.
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A chronic disease diagnosis is difficult to accept at any age. When your child receives a diagnosis of a condition that will have lasting impacts on their life, they may have a strong emotional reaction or become depressed. The changes to their quality of life, such as chronic pain, frequent medical tests or care, or other lifestyle changes, can make them feel anxious, stressed and saddened.
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Mental health disorders among children and teenagers have risen in recent years. Approximately 1 in 5 children are affected by a mental health disorder, and when left untreated, these disorders can become serious. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24, and approximately 18% of teens and adolescents have engaged in self-injury at some point in their lives.
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Approximately 18% of adolescents have engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury at some point in their lives. This means that nearly one in five teenagers have hurt themselves on purpose, without intending suicide, such as by cutting, burning, biting, hitting or severely scratching themselves.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7% of children have diagnosed anxiety. Additionally, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 1 in 3 of adolescents aged 13-18 have an anxiety disorder. When left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to poor school performance or socialization, loss of sleep and even eventual substance abuse.
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For most of us, breathing is an automatic process that we hardly notice. However, the simple act of inhaling and exhaling can have a great impact on our mood and thoughts. Deep breathing has long been used as a relaxation technique, and it's helpful for both children and adults.
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If your child is diagnosed with depression, you may have questions about the best ways to help. One difficult decision might be if you should put your child on antidepressant medication. You may wonder if these medications are safe, or if they will have side effects now or later in adulthood.
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From the beginning, parents work to teach their children how to make healthy decisions. But as children age, parents' influence decreases and the opinion of peers becomes more and more important. Social pressure can affect a wide range of thoughts, actions and behaviors, from academic performance to substance use to mental health.
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Oftentimes, when children or adults see news stories, TV shows or movies about mental health, it can contribute to a negative stigma attached to mental illness or give an inaccurate picture about what mental health is. In reality, one in five children will experience some type of mental health problem – and overcoming stigma and false perceptions is key to helping children receive the support they need.
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Naturally, parents want their children to grow up with good life skills and a healthy sense of identity and self-worth. However, in today's overscheduled and tech-connected world, external factors are constantly influencing kids' ideas of who they should be, how they should look and what they should think and do with their lives.
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When you lose a loved one – a family member, friend or even a pet – it's natural to experience grief. As a parent, you can take positive steps to help your children deal with their sorrow – and help yourself, too.
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Many parents understand the importance of healthy eating habits and staying active for their child's physical health. Now, with rates of mental health issues in children on the rise, more and more parents are realizing the value of supporting and nurturing their child's mental health as part of their overall health and wellness.
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Technology has many benefits when used responsibly: It can help us connect with others, find answers to questions and can even help improve productivity. But as rates of depression rise in adolescents, many wonder if screens and social media are negatively affecting our children's well-being.
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Mental health disorders in children are on the rise. But, even with up to 1 in 5 children experiencing a mental health disorder, many people are uncomfortable talking about children's mental health. Learning more about mental health disorders in children and the stigmas attached to them can make the topic less scary.
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Whether from busy schedules, pressures of work, or news and current events, it can be common for parents to feel stressed. However, it's important to remember that stress is not limited to adults – children and teens can experience stress, too.