A safety plan is a set of steps you can take when you feel suicidal. It includes your warning signs, coping strategies, and people to ask for support. You can write your own safety plan or use a free phone app. But it’s best to work with a therapist to make your plan. Read more »
Being socially withdrawn and experiencing physical discomforts as a preteen is associated with a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts at age 16, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open. Read more »
Puberty is an expected part of development that causes many changes in the body. For kids with central precocious puberty (CPP), however, starting puberty at an unusually young age and often several years before their peers may take a toll on their emotional and mental health. Read more »
From surging hormones and acne to body hair and body odor, puberty can be a rocky transition for any kid. But girls and boys who start physically developing sooner than their peers face particular social and emotional challenges, researchers find. Read more »
In this Voices of Compassion podcast episode, CHC, licensed psychologist, Dr. Emily Hsu and licensed clinical social worker, Thuy Tran talk about the unique challenges and stigma surrounding mental health and the Asian American community. Read more »
During puberty your child’s emotions may become stronger and more intense. Their mood might change more frequently, quickly and randomly. Your child may have strong emotions that they’ve never experienced before. It’s common for them to feel confused, scared or angry and not know why. They also might be more sensitive and become more easily upset than usual. Read more »
Many teens, especially those with ADHD, benefit from an academic break and successfully transition to college following their gap year. A gap year can provide additional time for emotional maturity, hands-on experience in a field of interest, and space to slowly master living on their own and caring for themselves.
The key to a successful gap year experience is ensuring that your young adult has something to do during this time—whether that includes working, volunteering, traveling, or enrolling in a transition program. Read more »
The concept of a gap year makes perfect sense: Your stressed-out teen with ADHD takes a year off to mature, gain independence, build skills, and find direction before entering college or starting a career. But isn’t it risky to step off the hamster wheel? Here, an education expert explains why the answer is, “No.” Read more »
There has been a lot of attention on the negative impacts social media can have for teens and even pre-teens’ mental health. Read more »
“Vibrant” is how Caroline Poisson describes her seven-year-old son. “He’s incredible, enthusiastic and curious,” she said. “And then there’s a side of what we call kryptonite and we talk about his ADHD brain, where there are some things that are just really hard for him.”
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