Resources - Children's Mental Health

What is “13 Reasons Why?”

“13 Reasons Why” is a show created by Netflix depicting a high-school student who commits suicide and leaves behind a set of pre-recorded cassette tapes that describe her painful experiences with peer pressure, bullying, and sexual assault. Jay Asher, the author of the book released in 2007, shared in a recent interview, “When we do or say things, we can never know exactly how another person is going to take it because we don’t know what they’ve already dealt with.”

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Many people think Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) shows itself in non-intrusive behaviors like washing their hands constantly or turning lights on and off a certain number of times.

Recognizing When Your Child Has Been the Victim of Sexual Assault

You can’t avoid the headlines about sexual assault, these days. Many women and men are coming forward to make their abuse known. But sexual assault is just as likely to happen to a child or adolescent.

Caution: Social Media

Social media is a large part of our society today, but is the everyday use of social platforms harming our young kids and teens? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, families should be aware of the potential negative effects of social media. Here are six key points about how social media may be impacting your child’s mental health.  

Facing Off with Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, some “40 million people aged 18 or older in the United States, 18 percent of the population, will suffer from an anxiety disorder each year.”

Depression: Where to Start

Clinical depression is a very common condition. In fact, “approximately one in five Americans experience an episode in their lifetime. However, despite its prevalence, only about 50 percent of people who suffer from depression actually receive treatment.”

“I’m Having a Nervous Breakdown.”

The phrase isn’t uncommon. It is used so much that most people don’t know exactly what it means or if there is truly a cause for concern. According to Medical News Today, a “nervous breakdown and mental breakdown are dated terms describing emotional or physical stress that temporarily makes someone unable to function in day-to-day life.”

Stopping Medication

or some people struggling with mental health, medication can be a lifesaver. When prescribed by a doctor and taken appropriately, medication can make a real difference in people’s lives. For some, medication isn’t the answer for them or they may decide to stop taking the pills. When taking medication, it is important to stop taking the prescription with the guidance of your healthcare professional.

Self-harm

Self-harm is a way that some people express feelings of distress and emotional pain by intentionally hurting themselves. The lack of understanding about self-harm can lead to insensitivity about the topic as most people could never imagine hurting themselves on purpose. Self-harm is a coping mechanism associated with severe mental health conditions such as “borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, and PTSD.”