It may seem intuitive already, but recent studies have proven a stark reality: a child who is bullied in school is more likely to suffer from mental health and related problems as an adult. The study was carried out by researchers from Britain’s Lancaster University and presented at the Royal …
Parents are always looking for as many resources as possible to help their kids cope with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. One such resource that can be very valuable is books. The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of 44 books that address mental health and learning disorders and …
Smartphones and iPads have made it easy to entertain small children, and teens are hooked on their cellphones. Since so many children and young adults are spending many hours a day staring at screens, we need to ask: What are they missing? What is it doing to their brains? Will …
If you’re the parent of a child with a mental health disorder, the recent change to Daylight Saving Time may have some health impacts you should be aware of. Pediatricians at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio say the time change can have different negative effects for different disorders. Changes in …
According to a recent study and report conducted by the Pew Research Center, most American teenagers – across demographic groups – see depression and anxiety as major problems among their peers. The survey found that 70 percent of teenagers saw mental health as a big issue. Fewer teenagers cited bullying, …
Just as you would never take your child to a medical doctor you didn’t have complete confidence in, you will naturally want to be just as careful in selecting the right professional when your child is in need of counseling or therapy. There are several questions to ask and things …
Alta Behavioral Healthcare is a leader in our area in dealing with childhood trauma. Our certified Trauma professionals work with children and families who have had significant adversity and/or loss in their lives, helping people overcome negative experiences through individual and group services. Trauma professionals have extensive training to enhance …
We hear a lot these days about stress and its effect on children and teens. From all the media reports, you may have formed the impression that stress is bad for a child’s physical and mental health, that stress has reached epidemic proportions, and that you need to do everything …
Here are some tips from the website www.believeperform.com: Be a role model Demonstrate positive behaviors your children can learn from you. Talking Support your children. Talk about their problems and how they’re feeling. Coping skills Help your children acquire skills such as problem-solving and thought-challenging. Well-being Promote healthy eating and …
Interacting with dogs appears to boost mood and decrease stress levels in children and “improve clinically relevant symptoms,” new research suggests. In the study, 78 child volunteers were exposed to a stressful task and then randomly assigned to one of three 15-minute interventions. Those who were assigned to play with …
Although Christmas is very near, you may still have some toy shopping to do for the children in your life. The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) has some things you should keep in mind — not just now, but at birthdays or any other time toys are on your shopping …
Project MKC (formerly Making Kids Count) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in northeast Ohio dedicated to the most vulnerable in our community — our children. Alta Behavioral Healthcare is one of several agencies in our area who benefit from the wonderful work done by Project MKC. Their Diaper Bank meets …
We talk a lot about the many services Alta Behavioral Healthcare provides to children and their families. But we also work with teens and young adults on a variety of issues. For example, we often help individuals ages 19-21 in dealing with the transition to adulthood and independence. Making the decision …
We’ve written in a previous blog about Alta Behavioral Healthcare’s Trauma Care programs, which are the most comprehensive in the Mahoning Valley. Under the direction of Meg Harris, LPC, Community Support and Trauma Supervisor, Alta has also developed a Trauma Informed Care Program designed to train other community organizations, businesses and/or schools …
With the coming of the holidays, you and your family may be experiencing joy recalling years of wonderful memories — or the dread of facing this season differently than you have in the past. If you’ve lost a loved one or experienced another tragedy this year, you may find the …