Resources - Children's Mental Health

Preventing Child Abuse: Abuse vs. Discipline

As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, it’s crucial to understand the difference between discipline and abuse. Effective discipline teaches children right from wrong, but it's essential to recognize when discipline crosses the line into abuse, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on children. Learn ways to implement effective discipline into the home that is calm, consistent, and intentional, not humiliating or hurtful.

Self-Harm/Injury vs. Suicidal Ideation

Self-Harm can be a difficult subject to talk about, but it's important parents and caretakers are educated on what it is, signs to look for, and the difference between self-harm and suicidal ideation. 

After the Diagnoses: How to Support Your Child Diagnosed with Depression

You’ve taken the first big step into understanding your child’s mental health. With a diagnosis of depression by a mental health professional, it may not feel like a “congratulatory” moment, but it’s an action you and your child should be proud of – asking for help is the first step in any healing journey. After the diagnosis, it’s key to create a safe, consistent, and supportive home that fosters healing and growth. Here are some actions you can take to start the process. 

Embracing Random Acts of Kindness: Their Significance and Practical Ways to Include Them in Your Life

Love and kindness should go hand in hand, and random acts of kindness are scientifically proven to positively impact yourself and those around you. Making the choice to be kind and focusing on compassion, not just for others but for yourself, can have a huge impact on mental health.

The Science of Hope: How Hope Can Impact Your Mental Health

How can hope improve mental health? Studies on the science of hope began in the 1980s, and it was determined that hope is an action-oriented skill that can be learned, versus just something that you “feel.” In order to cultivate positive change in ourselves, in others, or society at large, restoring hope is the vital first step.

Engaging Children in Difficult Conversations

When done with real intent and thoughtfulness, talking about current events provides the opportunity to help children develop critical thinking skills, as well as provides the chance to educate and encourage appropriate action in terms of diversity, ending racism and supporting community.

Talking to Your Child About Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At Nexus Family Healing, we serve youth and families who have often either been victims of and/or witnessed domestic violence. For a parent/caregiver who was the victim of intimate partner violence, navigating how to handle it with your children can be extremely tough.

Helping Youth Navigate Election Stress

As the school year is now in full swing, the typical stressors that come up for kids and every 4 years, a new challenge is occurring in lunchrooms, hallways and even on the playgrounds - the U.S. presidential election. We expect children are hearing all sorts of spirited opinions about this presidential race, leading to a new set of emotional stressors for our kids. So, how do we help our youth navigate this newly elevated issue and learn how to handle conversations that can become uncomfortable? 

A Responder's Perspective on Suicide Prevention

As a family responder, working with youth who struggle with suicidality (deliberately hurting oneself with an intent to die) is a routine part of my job. Parents are often not provided with the same skill set as mental health professionals, yet they are the “first responders” when it comes to their child’s mental health. In my years working with suicidal youth and their families, I’ve noticed trends in the information I share with parents.