Suicide is and has been for the last decade, the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. The reasons why suicide occurs are often not well understood, leaving family and friends wondering what could have been done differently. Here are some things you can do as a parent to help your child if there is a concern about suicidal thoughts or actions.

As parents, caregivers, or guardians, the aspect of going back to school is often exciting. While this can be exciting for students, too, anxiety often rears its ugly head. There are simple things parents, caregivers, and/or guardians can do to minimize the anxiety students feel about going back to school.

Tragedies are an unfortunate inevitability of life. Grief is the aftermath. It’s the fear and sadness and impending sense of doom as we look into a future where something we loved is missing forever. While collective grief happens to large groups of people, each person’s experience or ability to cope is unique. However you feel about the tragedy, it’s important to take care of yourself and the people you care for. You are not alone in your grief. 

Mid-summer chaos is real. Your house is a mess, your kids are bouncing between activities or begging for more screen time, and the packed schedule you hoped would help is only adding stress. So, how do you create a summer that’s structured but not overwhelming? Focus on connections, fun, rest, and each child's unique needs.

Last summer my mom passed away. She was sick with cancer for a long time, so in theory, I had plenty of time to prepare for her passing. And yet, I will tell you now, there is no way you can ever prepare for the loss of a parent. While I grieve, I have learned that the stages of grief don’t always apply to every instance of grief or loss, and I will explain why.

It’s important to understand that someone’s gender identity and sexual identity are two different concepts. Gender identity is the personal sense of one’s own gender, while sexual identity is a person’s conception of their sexuality and who they are attracted to. You may feel uncomfortable about the way your loved one is choosing to express their gender, or maybe you don’t understand it. You may worry about the struggles they will face or worry about them being bullied or harassed by others. Here’s some tips on how you can support your loved one.

Empathy is a critical part in what makes us human: the ability to understand things from another person’s point of view helps us to better understand each other. It’s vital in creating safe spaces for our friends and loved ones to feel understood, making it an essential part of mental health care.