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 …
A Collection of Mental and Behavioral Health Online Resources provides a foundational source of information about online mental health, social-emotional and behavioral health resources. These resources can be shared by school personnel and mental health professionals with children, adolescents and their families who are coping with mental health and behavioral …
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 …