On her son’s first day of kindergarten, Ruth Whippman, author of BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, stood by as a parent volunteer welcomed each child at the gate. Two nervous little girls walked in first, and the volunteer crouched down, his voice warm and tender: “Hi, sweetheart.” Then came Whippman’s son. The volunteer straightened up, his tone dropping an octave as he gave a hearty high five and said, “Hey, buddy!”…
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As a parent trying to do the best you can for your children, there is a jungle of advise, experts and books out there telling you what to do, what not to do and how to parent your children. Parenting is something for which we all have an instinct, but due to our own childhood pain, trauma, and the cultural burdens of our societies, we disconnect from that inherent wisdom in many ways, and thereby…
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Everyone deserves to live in a welcoming, loving world, and organizations like the Trevor Project strive to help make it so. The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth. If you are interested in learning more about being an ally to LGBTQ+ youth, please read on for excerpts from the Trevor Project’s guide for allies. The first step to becoming an…
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As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation skyrockets across the country, so do suicide attempts and other mental-health concerns among LGBTQ+ youth. A 2022 national survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ youth, ages 13-24, paints a clear, distressing picture of the trauma endured by LGBTQ+ students in America. Nearly three-quarters reported symptoms of anxiety; 58 percent reported symptoms of depression; and 45 percent said they had seriously considered committing suicide within the past year. However, the survey also shows that…
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Youth mental health has steadily declined in the years prior to and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the worst affected are pre-teen boys and teenage girls, according to the August 2024 report, “A Nation’s Children At Risk,” published by the Center for Applied Research in Education at the University of Southern California. According to the study, teen girls were more than three times as likely to experience abnormal levels of emotional symptoms compared to the…
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For parents, teens, and children alike, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety in our fast-paced, ever-changing world. Chances are that everyone is dealing with stress and anxiety in their bodies and minds at one time or another. Thankfully, there are tips and techniques to help children and teens respond skillfully to stressful situations. Dr. Katelyn Anderson, a pediatric psychologist at CHOC, offers various skills to help combat anxiety. Here are some techniques…
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World Mental Health Day’s purpose is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. It’s a day to talk about mental health and what more we need to do to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. Here are some activities for children to open the door to self care and caring for their own mental wellbeing throughout their lives. 1. Encourage…
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Self-confidence plays a critical role in a student’s academic performance. Confident students are more likely to participate in class, ask questions, and engage in discussions, which enhances their understanding of the subject matter. They are not afraid to tackle challenging assignments or exams, believing in their ability to succeed. This positive mindset can lead to better grades and a more profound grasp of academic content. 1. Set realistic expectations. If the level of an assignment…
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Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that provides unlimited access to live texting sessions with licensed professionals, 24/7/365. Users can access support on-demand within two minutes of opening the app, or by scheduled appointment. Through real-time texting, users enjoy one-on-one, private communication with a licensed counselor that can be conducted anytime, anywhere. Counslr was designed to help individuals deal with life’s day-to-day issues, empowering individuals to address concerns while they are “small” to…
Read More »A 2022 national survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ+ youth, ages 13-24, paints a clear, distressing picture of the trauma endured by LGBTQ+ students in America. Nearly three-quarters reported symptoms of anxiety, 58 percent reported symptoms of depression, and 45 percent said they had seriously considered committing suicide within the past year. However, the survey also shows that educators can make a very big difference. High school and college-aged LGBTQ+ youth who found their schools and…
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