We are certainly living in strange times. None of this was expected. In the midst of a crisis such as this, it is easy to forget about your mental health. But in reality, you are probably under more stress than ever before, and actions to promote positive mental health are …
The coronavirus is all anyone is talking about these days, and with good reason. The sheer amount of closings and cancelations is unprecedented in recent memory. With all that parents are worrying about when it comes to this virus, kids may be left in the dark, hearing only bits and …
At Alta Behavioral Healthcare, our entire staff is trained in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). From our counselors to our maintenance staff, each and every person in our building and on our payroll receives the training necessary to recognize and address the dangers of trauma. But why? Why have we devoted so …
It’s inevitable, children go through stages. The ‘eat everything’ stage. The ‘Pokémon’ stage. The ‘Polly Pocket’ stage. The ‘my parents aren’t cool’ stage. The ‘end every sentence with ‘bro’ stage. Any parent is probably familiar with a couple if not all of these stages. When your teenager starts rolling their …
Suicide has no one, singular cause. The factors that influence suicide are numerous and diverse. Two different cases may have no overlap in their motivation and contributing elements. Remaining vigilant in preventing suicide requires that one be aware of many factors that may overlap, intertwine and hide amongst others. If …
When your child has a fever, it’s easy to know they need help. Whether it’s treating the fever with Tylenol or taking them to the doctor, treating something that is apparent is easy. But how do you know when your child is dealing with mental health issues. Much like physical …
One day, I was out getting groceries with my children. As we were in the grocery store checkout line, we noticed a torrential downpour had started outside. After checking out, umbrella-less and raincoat-less, we sprinted outside to pack the groceries into the car, getting drenched in the process. In the …
A recent article on the People Magazine website caught our eye. It had to do with the concept of teaching about mental health to students in public schools, a concept we think has much merit. So far, this is only being required in three states, but we support the idea and hope …
This article was adapted from one that appears on the VeryWellFamily website. The full article offers more details and is well worth reading. Studies show parents fighting affects children’s mental health in several ways. Physical altercations, insults, and tactics such as “the silent treatment,” are just a few of the toxic …
From time to time we like to take a step back and look at the big picture of what we’re all about here at Alta Behavioral Healthcare, and why we do what we do. Our mission is to care for the mental health of the children, adolescents and young adults who are …
A column in the Fort Wayne, Indiana Journal-Gazette caught our eye recently. Columnist Helen Huser Nill, who is a mother of three and aunt to 37 nieces and nephews, notes how quickly things are changing in our society and the repercussions on our teens and young adults. She writes “Our children …
Toddlers require at least three hours of physical activity throughout the day since it is crucial for their physical, emotional and social development. There are many reasons for parents to encourage their toddler to be active. For example, regular activity strengthens kids’ cardiovascular systems, improves coordination and movement control, encourages …
Parents are being warned they could be damaging toddlers’ mental health by allowing them to access social media from the age of two. A new report from charity Barnado’s has raised concerns about potential exposure to inappropriate content and also how use of social media may affect the communication skills of young …
Being a kid is tough enough, but it’s even more difficult if that child happens to be overweight. In a world obsessed with looking Insta-perfect even at grade-school age, any child who doesn’t fit that norm is often subjected to endless teasing and bullying — often leading to long-lasting body …
When children feel good about themselves, they are happy, they cooperate with others, they make friends easily and they are more likely to cooperate with adults and other children. Factors that influence a child’s positive self-esteem and get them thinking good things about themselves are: receiving praise, affection and attention …