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Mason’s Center for Community Mental Health is the primary training clinic for Mason doctoral candidates in clinical psychology, as well as students…

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Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax | psychoeducational assessments 

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Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax | psychoeducational assessments 

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Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax | psychoeducational assessments | Fairfax County, VA, USA

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Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax
Testing and therapy services for children and teens
We assess for learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, mood and behavioral difficulties, autism, and more. We provide family consultation. As school psychologists, we are special educational experts.

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Learn more about me, Beth Lang. I use Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy to help young adults overcome big emotions and stressors. Book a free consultation!

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Imagine a space where you and your family are free to embrace genuine self-acceptance. At our practice, we offer support that is truly individualized so that this dream can become a reality.

Family & Child Therapy, located in downtown Vienna, VA, has expertise in offering cutting edge techniques.

We use trauma-informed therapies such as play therapy, ACT, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help our clients not only cope - but to thrive.

Treatment Focus

We treat the following issues and presenting concerns:

Telehealth is also available for Online Therapy

Our group of licensed and experienced clinicians are committed to promoting social justice and equality for all members of the community. We are constantly seeking to better ourselves as therapists through training and consultation.

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Learn more about how we serve and support adults, teens and young adults, children and parents. Contact us at 571-261-7764 to schedule a consultation.

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Our team of Adult, Teen & Child Therapists provide individual, group, family therapy and parent counseling in Vienna, VA.

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Fairfax Prevention Coalition - Preventing Substance Misuse

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Fairfax Prevention Coalition - Preventing Substance Misuse

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Fairfax Prevention Coalition - Working toward a healthy and safe community free of substance misuse..

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Fairfax Prevention Coalition - Preventing Substance Misuse

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FPC is a partnership of parents, youth, schools, government agencies, volunteers, policymakers and others working to combat substance misuse in our community.

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School Violence Prevention: Tips for Parents & Educators

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School Violence Prevention: Tips for Parents & Educators

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National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

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All schools work to prevent school violence and schools are very safe places. Children, staff, and parents all have an important role in promoting school safety by following procedures and reporting concerns. It is also important to balance sufficient building security with a healthy, nurturing, school environment. The goal is to reassure students that although there is a possibility of violence occurring in a school, the probability of a school experiencing a high-profile violent act is extremely low.

What to Say to Children

Talk with children and validate their feelings. Let their questions guide what and how much information to provide and emphasize the positive things that children/families/schools can do to stay safe. It is important to be patient as children do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work or visiting your classroom during passing periods or after school. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.

Be aware of signs the child might be in distress (e.g., changes in behavior, anxiety, sleep problems, acting out, problems at school or with academic work). Also be conscious of media exposure and what you say about the event in front of the student. Also limit television viewing (be aware if the television is on in common areas) as this can exposure students to frightening images which only increase anxiety.

Following are some suggested general key points when talking to children:

Schools are safe places. Our school staff works with local police and fire departments, emergency responders, and hospitals to keep you safe.

Our school is safe because....

We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened.

There is a difference between reporting and tattling, or gossiping. You can provide important information, either directly or anonymously, that may prevent harm by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.

Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you or our school.

Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Providing children with opportunities to do things they enjoy, sticking to a normal routine, and being with friends and family can help students feel better and keep them from worrying about the event.

Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence. Thus, it is important that children be kept away from guns and other weapons. It is equally important that children be encouraged to tell an adult if they know someone has a gun.

Students can be part of a positive solution to school violence by participating in antiviolence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

Helpful Guidelines to Keep in Mind
Keep explanations developmentally appropriate.

Early elementary school students need brief, simple information that is balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety that remind children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills being practiced so they are prepared if somethings happens.

Upper elementary and early middle school students will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools and provide concrete examples.

Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g., not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.

Parents: Open communication between home and school is critical to the safety and well-being of our students and your children. Let us know if you have a concern or question about school policies, your child's safety, or the safety of their friends. Know if your child's friends have access to guns and keep any guns in your house locked up and away from children of all ages. Focus on building resiliency and coping skills to manage disappointments and help your child be comfortable seeking help from an adult they trust.

References:

Brock, S.E., Nickerson, A.B., Reeves, M.A., Jimerson, S.R., Lieberman, R.A., & Feinberg, T.A. (2009). School crisis prevention and intervention: The PREPaRE model. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

Cowan, K., and Paine, C., (2015). School safety: What really works. Principal Leadership, 13(7), 12. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/March_13_School_Safety.

© 2015, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 657-0270, Fax (301) 657-0275; www.nasponline.org

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School Violence Prevention: Tips for Parents & Educators

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It is important to balance sufficient building security with a healthy, nurturing, school environment. The goal is to reassure students that although there is a possibility of violence occurring in a ...

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Therapist’s Book Review: Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy – A Game-Changer for Modern Parenting

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Sage House Therapy | Washington DC & Northern Virginia

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Sage House Therapy and Art Therapy offers in-person and online therapy for children, teens, adults, and couples. We work closely with clients in a safe, confidential, and supportive counseling environment.

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Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Thousands of teens asked questions about drugs and health. Learn the answers to 10 popular questions.

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Counseling | Aura Counseling & Wellness | United States

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Welcome to Aura Counseling & Wellness - It does matter where your recovery starts! Check Us Out for your Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder needs!

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues Linked to Loneliness

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues Linked to Loneliness

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues Linked to Loneliness

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Explore the link between loneliness, mental illness, and substance abuse. Find stats, effects, and resources to combat these issues effectively.

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The Ultimate Anxiety Disorder Support Guide For Young Adults

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The Ultimate Anxiety Disorder Support Guide For Young Adults

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Anxiety disorders represent a significant challenge for millions of young adults across the United States.

Navigating the complexities of early adulthood-from education and career development to forming relationships and establishing independence-can be particularly daunting when compounded by persistent worry, fear, or panic.

This anxiety disorder support guide is designed to be a comprehensive resource for young adults experiencing anxiety and their loved ones seeking to understand and provide support.

We delve into the nature of anxiety disorders, explore their prevalence and impact in the U.S., discuss the critical issue of co-occurring substance use, provide evidence-based guidance for seeking help and managing symptoms, and offer an extensive list of resources for support and treatment.

We want to empower you with knowledge, connect you with help, and foster hope for recovery and a fulfilling life beyond anxiety.

General Prevalence

Trends in Anxiety

According to the American Pychiatric Association (APA), 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022.

Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%) - especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%).

From April 30 to May 27, 2024, approximately 17.6% of US adults reported symptoms of anxiety disorder in the past two weeks.

Age-Specific Statistics

The past year's prevalence of any anxiety disorder is highest among adults aged 18-29 years (22.3%), followed by 30-44 years (22.7%), 45-59 years (20.6%), and 60+ years (9.0%).

For those struggling with mental illness, about 50% of individuals started to have symptoms by the age of 14, and 75% experienced symptoms by age 24.

Anxiety disorders affect 31.9% of adolescents between 13 and 18 years old.

In 2022, 26.6% of Americans ages 18-29 years reported experiencing anxiety symptoms in the preceding two weeks, making this the adult age group most affected by anxiety.

Younger adults (18-34) are more than twice as likely as older adults (50+) to have talked with a mental health care professional in the past year.

Gender Differences

2024's prevalence of any anxiety disorder was higher for females (23.4%) than for males (14.3%).

Women are twice as likely to be affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder as men.

Women are twice as likely to be affected by Specific Phobias than men.

Women are five times more likely to be affected by Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than men.

Specific Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.

Panic Disorder (PD) affects 6 million adults or 2.7% of the U.S. population.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) affects 15 million adults or 7.1% of the U.S. population and typically begins around age 13.

Specific phobias affect 19.3 million adult, or 9.1% of the U.S. population.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 7.7 million adults or 3.6% of the U.S. population.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2.5 million adults or 1.2% of the U.S. population.

Impact and Treatment

People with an anxiety disorder are 3-5 times more likely to go to the doctor and 6 times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

When asked about lifestyle factors impacting mental health, adults most commonly say stress (53%) and sleep (40%) have the biggest impact on their mental health.

Despite the increasing anxiety, most adults have not sought professional mental health support. In 2024, just one in four (24%) adults say they talked with a mental health care professional in the past year.

Among adults who have used mental health care this year, more than half prefer to meet with a mental health professional in person (55%) rather than via telehealth; 30% prefer telehealth; and 15% have no preference.

Americans perceive broad impacts of untreated mental illness: 83% of adults say it negatively impacts family, and 65% say it negatively impacts the U.S. economy.

More than half of adults (55%) think there is less mental health stigma than 10 years ago.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, and related behavioral disturbances.

While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders involve persistent and intense anxiety that can worsen over time and interfere with daily activities.

Below are the main types of anxiety disorders recognized by mental health professionals.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things-even ordinary, routine issues.

People with GAD:

GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks-sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

People with panic disorder:

Panic Disorder affects 6 million adults or 2.7% of the U.S. population, with women twice as likely to be affected as men.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social Anxiety Disorder involves high levels of anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness, and concern about being judged or viewed negatively by others.

People with social anxiety disorder:

Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults or 7.1% of the U.S. population. It is equally common among men and women and typically begins around age 13.

Specific Phobias

Specific Phobias involve marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation that almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety.

People with specific phobias:

Specific phobias affect 19.3 million adults, or 9.1% of the U.S. population, with women twice as likely to be affected than men. Symptoms typically begin in childhood, with the average age of onset being 7 years old.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear and avoidance of places, situations, or events where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms.

People with agoraphobia:

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from attachment figures. While common in children, it can also affect adults.

People with separation anxiety disorder:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

While now classified separately from anxiety disorders in the DSM-5, OCD is closely related and often co-occurs with anxiety disorders. OCD involves unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

People with OCD:

Experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that trigger distressing feelings

Engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing a feared event

Recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable

Spend at least one hour per day on these thoughts and behaviors

OCD affects 2.5 million adults or 1.2% of the U.S. population, with women three times more likely to be affected than men.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Like OCD, PTSD is now classified separately but is closely related to anxiety disorders. PTSD develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

People with PTSD:

PTSD affects 7.7 million adults or 3.6% of the U.S. population, with women five times more likely to be affected than men.

Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder

This disorder involves prominent anxiety symptoms that develop during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal, or after exposure to a medication.

The symptoms:

Are directly attributable to the physiological effects of a substance

Causes significant distress or impairment in functioning

May include panic attacks, generalized anxiety, or phobic symptoms

Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

This disorder involves prominent anxiety symptoms that are the direct physiological consequence of another medical condition.

Common medical conditions that can cause anxiety symptoms include:

Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Anxiety

Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, such as anxiety.

Key points about this relationship include:

Approximately 15-30% of people with anxiety disorders also have substance use disorders

Substances may be used as self-medication to relieve anxiety symptoms

Substance use can worsen anxiety symptoms over time

Withdrawal from substances can trigger or exacerbate anxiety

Treatment is more complex and requires addressing both conditions simultaneously

Integrated treatment approaches show better outcomes than treating each condition separately

Certain substances are particularly associated with anxiety:

Alcohol (initially reduces anxiety but increases it during withdrawal)

Caffeine (can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms)

Cannabis (can reduce or increase anxiety, depending on the individual and dosage)

Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines can induce anxiety-like symptoms)

Benzodiazepines (can lead to dependence and worsened anxiety upon withdrawal)

Other Specified and Unspecified Anxiety Disorders

These categories include anxiety symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria for any of the specific anxiety disorders.

They may include:

Mixed anxiety symptoms

Cultural syndromes related to anxiety

Anxiety symptoms with atypical presentations

The Intersection of Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders

Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, refers to the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder simultaneously.

When anxiety disorders and substance use disorders co-occur, they create a complex clinical picture that requires specialized understanding and treatment approaches.

This intersection is particularly relevant for young adults, who face unique developmental challenges while navigating both conditions.

The relationship between anxiety disorders and substance use is bidirectional and multifaceted. For many individuals, anxiety symptoms emerge first, leading to substance use as a form of self-medication.

For others, substance use precedes the development of anxiety, with substances either directly triggering anxiety symptoms or creating life circumstances that contribute to anxiety.

Understanding this complex relationship is essential for effective treatment and recovery.

Prevalence and Impact

The co-occurrence of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders is strikingly common. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States experience both mental illness and a substance use disorder.

Among these individuals, anxiety disorders represent one of the most common co-occurring conditions with substance use.

Young adults (ages 18-25) show particularly high rates of this dual diagnosis, with studies indicating that up to 30-40% of those seeking treatment for substance use disorders also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder.

This age group faces unique vulnerabilities as they navigate major life transitions, identity formation, and increasing independence, all while potentially managing symptoms of both conditions.

The impact of this dual diagnosis extends far beyond the sum of each disorder. When anxiety and substance use co-occur, they tend to:

Amplify each other's symptoms, creating a vicious cycle of increasing severity

Complicate diagnosis, as symptoms of one condition may mask or mimic the other

Reduce treatment effectiveness when only one condition is addressed

Increase the risk of relapse in both conditions

Lead to poorer overall functioning and quality of life

Create greater barriers to seeking and maintaining treatment

Result in more severe health consequences and higher healthcare utilization

For young adults specifically, this dual diagnosis can derail educational pursuits, career development, relationship formation, and the establishment of healthy independent living-all critical developmental tasks of this life stage.

The Self-Medication Hypothesis

One of the most widely recognized explanations for the high co-occurrence of anxiety and substance use disorders is the self-medication hypothesis.

This theory suggests that individuals use substances to alleviate or manage uncomfortable psychological states, including anxiety symptoms.

For those with anxiety disorders, certain substances may temporarily reduce symptoms, creating a powerful reinforcement cycle. For example:

Alcohol, despite being a depressant, initially produces calming effects by enhancing the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces nervous system activity.

For someone with social anxiety disorder, alcohol may temporarily reduce fear in social situations, making interactions feel more manageable.

However, as alcohol wears off, anxiety often returns more intensely-a phenomenon known as "rebound anxiety"-leading to increased consumption to maintain relief.

Similarly, individuals with panic disorder may use benzodiazepines (either prescribed or obtained illicitly) to prevent or manage panic attacks.

While effective in the short term, tolerance develops quickly, requiring increasing doses to achieve the same effect and potentially leading to dependence.

Cannabis use is particularly common among young adults with anxiety disorders. Some report that cannabis helps reduce anxiety symptoms, though research shows mixed effects, with some individuals experiencing anxiety reduction and others experiencing heightened anxiety or even panic attacks, particularly with high-THC strains.

The self-medication pattern creates a particularly challenging treatment scenario, as removing the substance without addressing the underlying anxiety can lead to intensified psychological distress and high rates of relapse.

The Importance of Comprehensive Treatment Centers

For individuals with severe anxiety disorders or those with co-occurring conditions like substance use disorders, comprehensive treatment centers can provide the intensive, multidisciplinary care needed for recovery.

These centers offer structured environments where individuals can focus entirely on healing, away from the stressors and triggers of everyday life.

Treatment centers typically provide a range of evidence-based therapies, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medication management.

Many also incorporate complementary approaches such as mindfulness practices, exercise, nutrition counseling, and creative therapies. This holistic approach addresses not only the symptoms of anxiety but also the underlying factors contributing to it and the various ways it impacts life.

The benefits of treatment centers include:

Intensive, focused care: Daily therapy sessions and structured activities provide the opportunity for rapid progress in a condensed timeframe.

Comprehensive assessment: Thorough evaluation helps identify all contributing factors and co-occurring conditions that might be complicating recovery.

Multidisciplinary treatment team: Access to various specialists ensures all aspects of health-mental, physical, and social-are addressed.

Peer support: Connecting with others who understand the challenges of anxiety can reduce isolation and provide hope and encouragement.

Skill development: Intensive practice of coping skills in a supportive environment helps solidify these tools for use in everyday life.

Smooth transition: Many programs offer step-down options and aftercare planning to support continued recovery after the intensive treatment phase.

For those with dual diagnosis (co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders), specialized treatment centers are particularly valuable.

These programs understand the complex interaction between anxiety and substance use and provide integrated treatment addressing both conditions simultaneously, which research shows leads to better outcomes than treating each condition separately.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Research consistently shows that integrated treatment-addressing both anxiety and substance use disorders simultaneously-produces better outcomes than sequential or parallel treatment approaches.

Effective integrated treatment for young adults with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders includes:

Integrated Assessment

Comprehensive assessment should evaluate:

Pharmacological Approaches

Medication for addiction treatment (MAT) may be appropriate for certain substance use disorders. MAT requires careful consideration of abuse potential and interactions with substances:

SSRIs and SNRIs are generally first-line medications for anxiety disorders with co-occurring substance use, as they have minimal abuse potential

Buspirone may be helpful for generalized anxiety with co-occurring alcohol use disorder

Prazosin shows promise for PTSD-related nightmares in those with co-occurring substance use

Benzodiazepines are generally avoided due to their high abuse potential and dangerous interactions with substances like alcohol and opioids

Psychotherapeutic Approaches

Several evidence-based psychotherapies have been adapted for co-occurring disorders:

Self-Help Strategies to Complement Professional Treatment

While professional treatment is essential for managing anxiety disorders, various self-help strategies can complement therapy and medication, enhancing overall outcomes.

These approaches can help you take an active role in your recovery and develop skills for long-term anxiety management.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and without judgment. Regular mindfulness practice has been shown to reduce anxiety by helping individuals observe their thoughts without becoming entangled in them. Even brief daily practices of 5-10 minutes can produce meaningful benefits over time.

Various apps and online resources (several listed in the resources section) offer guided mindfulness exercises specifically designed for anxiety. These can be particularly helpful for beginners or during periods of heightened anxiety when self-guided practice is challenging.

Regular Physical Exercise

Exercise is one of the most effective natural anti-anxiety treatments. Physical activity increases endorphins, improves sleep, enhances self-confidence, and provides a healthy outlet for excess energy and tension. Even moderate exercise, such as a brisk 30-minute walk, can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms.

Finding activities you enjoy increases the likelihood of maintaining a regular exercise routine. Consider walking, swimming, dancing, yoga, or team sports-whatever feels accessible and pleasurable for you. The goal is consistency rather than intensity.

Healthy Sleep Habits

Anxiety and sleep problems often form a bidirectional relationship, with each exacerbating the other. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene can help break this cycle. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, limit screen time before bed, ensure your sleep environment is comfortable, and avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.

If sleep problems persist despite these measures, discuss them with your healthcare provider, as they may recommend specific interventions for sleep, which can significantly improve anxiety symptoms.

Nutrition and Hydration

What you eat and drink can impact anxiety levels. Limit or avoid caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Instead, focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Stay well-hydrated, as even mild dehydration can affect mood and energy levels.

Some individuals find that specific dietary approaches, such as reducing sugar intake or incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, help manage their anxiety. Pay attention to how different foods affect your symptoms and adjust accordingly.

Stress Management Techniques

Developing a toolkit of stress management techniques provides options for different situations and preferences. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and grounding techniques can all help reduce anxiety in the moment. Regular practice of these skills when you're relatively calm helps make them more effective during high-anxiety periods.

Journaling

Writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can help process emotions, identify patterns in your anxiety, and gain perspective. Consider keeping a daily anxiety journal, noting triggers, symptoms, coping strategies used, and their effectiveness. This information can be valuable both for your own self-awareness and to share with your treatment provider.

Setting Boundaries

Learning to set healthy boundaries in relationships and commitments is essential for managing anxiety. This includes saying no when necessary, asking for help when needed, and creating space for self-care. While setting boundaries can initially increase anxiety, especially for those with social anxiety or people-pleasing tendencies, it ultimately reduces stress and builds self-respect.

Supporting a Loved One with Anxiety

If someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, your support can make a significant difference in their recovery journey. Here are ways to provide effective support while also maintaining your own wellbeing:

Educate Yourself

Learning about anxiety disorders helps you understand what your loved one is experiencing and how best to support them. Read reputable sources, attend family education sessions if available, and consider joining support groups for families and friends of those with anxiety disorders. The more you understand, the better equipped you'll be to provide meaningful support.

Listen Without Judgment

One of the most valuable things you can offer is compassionate listening. Create space for your loved one to express their feelings without fear of judgment, dismissal, or unwanted advice. Validate their experience with statements like, "That sounds really difficult" or "I can see how much this is affecting you." Avoid minimizing their feelings with phrases like "just relax" or "don't worry so much."

Encourage Professional Help

If your loved one hasn't sought professional help, gently encourage them to do so. Offer practical assistance, such as researching providers, helping with insurance questions, or accompanying them to initial appointments if they'd find that helpful. Respect their autonomy in making treatment decisions while expressing your support for their seeking help.

Support Their Treatment

Once your loved one is in treatment, support their engagement with the process. This might include providing transportation to appointments, creating space for them to practice new skills, or simply checking in about how treatment is going. Follow their lead regarding how much they want to share about their therapy.

Learn Their Triggers and Coping Strategies

Understanding what triggers your loved one's anxiety and what helps them cope allows you to provide more targeted support. Ask them what they find helpful during anxious periods-whether it's distraction, quiet companionship, help with breathing exercises, or something else entirely. Different strategies work for different people and situations.

Celebrate Progress

Recovery from anxiety is rarely linear, with good days and difficult days along the way. Acknowledge and celebrate progress, no matter how small it might seem. Recognizing improvements reinforces positive change and provides encouragement during challenging times.

Set Boundaries and Practice Self-Care

Supporting someone with anxiety can be emotionally demanding. Set healthy boundaries to prevent burnout and maintain your own wellbeing. This includes recognizing what you can and cannot do, taking breaks when needed, and seeking your own support through friends, therapy, or support groups for families of those with mental health conditions.

Be Patient

Recovery takes time, and setbacks are a normal part of the process. Patience and consistent support are invaluable gifts you can offer your loved one. Remember that anxiety disorders are medical conditions, not choices or character flaws, and recovery rarely follows a straight line.

Special Considerations for Young Adults

Young adults with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders face unique challenges and require tailored approaches.

Developmental Considerations

Treatment must account for ongoing brain development, identity formation, and the establishment of independence.

Approaches should:

Recognize that risk-taking and peer influence are developmentally normal but can complicate recovery

Address emerging adult responsibilities and life skills

Support healthy identity development separate from substance use

Engage family appropriately while respecting growing autonomy

Educational and Vocational Support

For many young adults, educational and career development are primary concerns:

Supported education programs can help maintain academic progress during treatment

Vocational counseling can address anxiety about career choices and workplace interactions

Disclosure coaching helps navigate decisions about sharing mental health and substance use history

Peer Relationships

Peer relationships are particularly influential during young adulthood:

Treatment should address social anxiety that may impede the formation of healthy relationships

Developing substance-free social networks is crucial for sustained recovery

Peer support from others in recovery can be especially powerful

Technology Integration

Young adults typically respond well to technology-enhanced treatment:

Mobile applications for anxiety management and recovery support

Telehealth options for increased accessibility

Online support communities

Digital tools for symptom monitoring and skill practice

Prevention and Early Intervention

Given the significant impact of co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders, prevention and early intervention are critical, particularly for young adults:

Risk Identification

Screening for anxiety disorders should be routine in substance use treatment settings, and vice versa. Early warning signs include:

Using substances specifically to manage anxiety symptoms

Increasing substance use in anxiety-provoking situations

Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities

Declining academic or work performance

Changes in sleep patterns

Increasing isolation

Targeted Prevention Programs

Prevention programs specifically designed for those at risk for co-occurring disorders show promise:

Anxiety sensitivity interventions that help individuals become more comfortable with the physical sensations of anxiety

Stress management and emotional regulation skill development

Substance refusal skills combined with anxiety management techniques

Psychoeducation about the relationship between anxiety and substance use

Brief Interventions

Brief interventions can be effective for young adults showing early signs of co-occurring disorders:

Motivational interviewing to explore ambivalence about substance use and anxiety management

Brief cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting both anxiety and substance use

Skills training in anxiety management and substance refusal

The Path Forward: Recovery and Resilience

Recovery from co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders is not merely the absence of symptoms but the development of a fulfilling life despite challenges. For young adults, this includes:

Building a strong identity separate from either disorder

Developing healthy coping strategies for managing anxiety without substances

Creating meaningful connections and relationships

Pursuing educational and career goals

Contributing to the community and finding purpose

Practicing ongoing self-care and wellness

With appropriate integrated treatment, young adults with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders can not only recover but also develop significant resilience that serves them throughout life.

The journey may be challenging, but with proper support and evidence-based approaches, lasting recovery and wellbeing are achievable goals.

National Organizations

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) - A nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for Americans affected by mental illness, including anxiety disorders.

Mental Health America (MHA) - A community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health, with specific resources for anxiety disorders.

American Psychological Association (APA) - The leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, offering evidence-based resources on anxiety disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - The lead federal agency for research on mental disorders, providing science-based information on anxiety disorders and treatment options.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - A federal agency that leads public health efforts to advance behavioral health and provides resources for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada (ADAC) - A national registered charity dedicated to increasing awareness and providing education and support to those affected by anxiety disorders.

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) - A nonprofit organization aimed at helping those affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders, including anxiety disorders.

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) - An organization committed to advancing scientific approaches to understanding and improving human functioning, including anxiety disorders.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - A peer-directed national organization focusing on depression and bipolar disorder, with resources for co-occurring anxiety disorders.

Crisis Helplines and Text Services

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - A national network providing free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, including anxiety, 24/7.

Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text message, including support for anxiety and panic attacks.

NAMI HelpLine - Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for information, resource referrals, and support for people living with mental health conditions and their family members.

SAMHSA's National Helpline - Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Disaster Distress Helpline - Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with crisis counselors who provide immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters or traumatic events.

Veterans Crisis Line - Call 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online for confidential support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their family members and friends.

The Trevor Project - Call 1-866-488-7386 for crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people under 25, including those experiencing anxiety.

National Domestic Violence Hotline - Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for support, crisis intervention, and referrals for those experiencing domestic violence, which often co-occurs with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America Helpline - Information and referral service for anxiety disorders, providing resources and support for individuals seeking treatment.

Panic Disorder Information Hotline - Information service provided by NIMH offering resources and guidance for those experiencing panic disorder.

Online Support Communities

ADAA Online Support Group - Free, anonymous peer-to-peer online support group for individuals and their families dealing with anxiety and depression.

7 Cups - An online emotional support service that connects individuals with trained listeners for free, anonymous conversations about anxiety and other mental health concerns.

HealthUnlocked Anxiety Support - A social network for health where people find support from others with similar health backgrounds, including anxiety disorders.

Mental Health America Online Support Community - A free online community where people can connect with others who understand what they're going through with anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Reddit r/Anxiety - A supportive community dedicated to anxiety disorders where members can share experiences and coping strategies.

Anxiety Support Group on Facebook - A closed group offering peer support for those dealing with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety and Depression Support - Psych Central - Online forums focused on anxiety and panic disorders, providing peer support and information sharing.

The Mighty's Anxiety Community - A digital health community created to empower and connect people facing health challenges and disabilities, with a specific section for anxiety.

Turn2Me Anxiety Support Group - Free online support groups facilitated by mental health professionals for those experiencing anxiety.

Anxiety Tribe - An online community dedicated to supporting individuals with anxiety disorders through forums, blogs, and resources.

Mobile Apps for Anxiety Management

Calm - An app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation, with specific anxiety-reduction programs.

Headspace - A meditation and mindfulness app with guided sessions for managing stress, anxiety, and improving overall mental wellbeing.

Insight Timer - A free meditation app with thousands of guided meditations specifically for anxiety, stress, and sleep.

MindShift CBT - A free app designed specifically for teens and young adults with anxiety, using scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Woebot - An AI-powered chatbot that uses CBT principles to help users manage anxiety and depression.

Sanvello - An app offering clinical techniques to help dial down symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression through cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and mood tracking.

Breathe2Relax - A portable stress management tool that provides detailed information on the effects of stress on the body and instructions on diaphragmatic breathing.

PTSD Coach - Designed for veterans and military service members, this app provides education about PTSD, tools for screening and tracking symptoms, and resources for support.

Happify - An app using science-based activities and games to reduce stress, overcome negative thoughts, and build resilience.

Rootd - An app specifically designed to help with panic attacks and anxiety relief, with tools for both immediate panic relief and long-term anxiety management.

Educational Resources and Self-Help

Anxiety Canada - A leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety and anxiety disorders.

HelpGuide - A nonprofit mental health and wellness website providing evidence-based information on anxiety disorders and strategies for management.

Psychology Today - Comprehensive information on anxiety disorders, symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Mayo Clinic - Anxiety Disorders - Trusted information on anxiety disorders, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment.

Harvard Health Publishing - Anxiety Resource Center - Evidence-based articles and resources on anxiety disorders from Harvard Medical School.

Anxiety Resource Center - A nonprofit organization providing education, support, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders.

Beyond Blue - Australian resource providing information on anxiety, available treatments, and how to help someone experiencing anxiety.

Centre for Clinical Interventions - Anxiety Workbooks - Free workbooks and resources based on CBT principles for various anxiety disorders.

AnxietyUK - Information, resources, and support for those living with anxiety disorders.

MentalHealth.gov - U.S. government website providing information and resources on mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.

Resources for Dual Diagnosis (Anxiety and Substance Use)

Dual Diagnosis.org - A comprehensive resource for information on co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Dual Diagnosis - Information and resources specifically for those dealing with both mental health and substance use disorders.

SAMHSA's Co-occurring Disorders - Federal resources for understanding and treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - Educational resources on co-occurring disorders from a leading nonprofit treatment provider.

Dual Recovery Anonymous - A 12-step fellowship for people with dual diagnosis, focusing on both mental health and substance use recovery.

Foundations Recovery Network - Educational resources on integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders.

The Recovery Village - Dual Diagnosis Resources - Information on the relationship between mental health disorders and addiction.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) - Professional society representing physicians and other professionals dedicated to improving addiction treatment, with resources on co-occurring disorders.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Comorbidity - Research-based information on the comorbidity of substance use disorders and mental illnesses.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America - Substance Use - Resources specifically addressing the co-occurrence of anxiety disorders and substance use.

Resources for Young Adults

Active Minds - A nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students, with chapters at colleges nationwide.

JED Foundation - A nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.

ULifeline - An online resource center for college student mental health, providing information about anxiety disorders and connecting students to their campus resources.

Half of Us - A campaign designed to raise awareness about mental health issues, including anxiety, and connect students to appropriate resources.

Young Minds - UK's leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health, with specific resources for anxiety.

ReachOut.com - Australia's leading online mental health organization for young people, providing practical support, tools, and tips for anxiety.

Teen Mental Health - Evidence-based resources on various mental health issues affecting teens, including anxiety disorders.

Youth.gov - U.S. government website with resources on youth mental health, including anxiety disorders.

Child Mind Institute - Teen Anxiety - Resources specifically for teens and young adults dealing with anxiety disorders.

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine - Mental health resources specifically for adolescents and young adults.

Academic and Research Resources

Anxiety and Depression Association of America Research - Information on the latest research in anxiety disorders and depression.

National Institute of Mental Health - Anxiety Disorders Research - Updates on federally funded research on anxiety disorders.

PubMed Central - Anxiety Research - Free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature, with extensive research on anxiety disorders.

Cochrane Library - Anxiety Reviews - Systematic reviews of primary research in human health care and health policy related to anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders Research Network - A collaborative network of researchers focused on anxiety disorders.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress - Research and resources on traumatic stress and PTSD.

Anxiety Disorders Research Program at UCLA - Information on ongoing research and clinical trials related to anxiety disorders.

Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University - Research center dedicated to advancing knowledge and treatment of anxiety and related disorders.

Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma - Research center focused on understanding and treating anxiety disorders and PTSD.

Fear and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Texas - Research clinic studying the nature and treatment of anxiety disorders.

Professional Directories and Treatment Locators

Psychology Today Therapist Directory - Searchable directory of therapists specializing in anxiety disorders.

SAMHSA's Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator - Online tool for finding mental health and substance use treatment facilities across the United States.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America Find a Therapist Directory - Searchable directory of mental health professionals specializing in anxiety disorders.

American Psychological Association Psychologist Locator - Tool to find psychologists by location and specialty, including anxiety disorders.

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Find a CBT Therapist - Directory of certified cognitive-behavioral therapists, many specializing in anxiety disorders.

International OCD Foundation Find Help - Resource for finding therapists specializing in OCD and related anxiety disorders.

National Center for PTSD - Find a Therapist - Resources for finding treatment for PTSD and trauma-related anxiety.

Medicare Physician Compare - Tool to find and compare physicians, including psychiatrists who treat anxiety disorders, that accept Medicare.

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective - Nonprofit network of mental health professionals providing reduced-rate sessions to individuals with financial need.

Anxiety UK Therapist Directory - UK-based directory of therapists specializing in anxiety disorders.

Specialized Resources for Specific Anxiety Disorders

International OCD Foundation - Comprehensive resources for OCD and related disorders, including information, support groups, and treatment referrals.

Social Anxiety Association - Information and resources specifically for social anxiety disorder.

Agoraphobia Resource Center - Educational resources and support for those dealing with agoraphobia.

National Center for PTSD - Comprehensive information on PTSD, including symptoms, treatment options, and coping strategies.

Panic and Anxiety Disorder Association - Resources specifically for panic disorder and panic attacks.

Specific Phobias Resource Center - Information and resources for various specific phobias.

GAD Information Center - Resources specifically for generalized anxiety disorder from NIMH.

Separation Anxiety Resource Center - Information and resources for separation anxiety disorder.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation - Resources for body dysmorphic disorder, which often co-occurs with anxiety disorders.

Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors - Resources for trichotillomania and related disorders that often co-occur with anxiety.

Workplace and School Resources

Job Accommodation Network - Anxiety Disorders - Information about workplace accommodations for individuals with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorders at Work - Resources from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation's Center for Workplace Mental Health.

National Education Association - Mental Health Resources - Resources for educators to support students with mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.

Campus Mind Works - Resources to help college students with mental health issues, including anxiety, succeed in school.

Anxiety at School - Child Mind Institute's guide to managing anxiety in school.

Students with Anxiety: Implications for Professionals - Resources from the National Association of School Psychologists.

Accommodations for Students with Anxiety - Information on educational accommodations for students with anxiety disorders.

Mental Health America Workplace Mental Health - Resources for addressing mental health, including anxiety, in the workplace.

Center for Workplace Mental Health - Resources to help employers create mentally healthy workplaces and support employees with mental health conditions.

Heads Up - Workplace Mental Health - Australian resource providing information for creating mentally healthy workplaces.

Additional Support Resources

National Federation of Families - A national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs.

Mental Health First Aid - Training program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders.

Families for Depression Awareness - Resources for families dealing with depression and related disorders, including anxiety.

Anxiety Resource Center, Inc. - A nonprofit organization providing support groups, education, and resources for people with anxiety disorders.

No Panic - UK charity offering support for those living with anxiety disorders, including a helpline, recovery programs, and resources.

Anxiety UK - UK charity providing information, support, and therapy for anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Canada - Canadian nonprofit providing self-help resources, online courses, and an anxiety management app.

Beyond Blue - Australian organization providing information, support, and resources for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.

SANE Australia - Australian organization providing support, research, and advocacy for people affected by complex mental health issues, including anxiety disorders.

Mind (UK) - Mental health charity offering information, advice, and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems, including anxiety disorders.

Living with an anxiety disorder can feel overwhelming, isolating, and at times, insurmountable. The persistent worry, fear, and physical symptoms can disrupt every aspect of life-from relationships and work performance to basic daily activities and overall wellbeing.

If you're experiencing anxiety, it's crucial to understand that you're not alone. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, though only about one-third of those suffering receive appropriate treatment.

The journey toward managing anxiety begins with recognition and understanding. Anxiety manifests differently for each person, but common symptoms include persistent worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and various physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or gastrointestinal issues.

For many, these symptoms can be so severe that they significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life.

It's important to recognize that anxiety disorders are not simply a matter of "worrying too much" or something that can be overcome through willpower alone. They are complex conditions influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Understanding this can help reduce self-blame and stigma, opening the door to effective treatment and recovery.

Taking the First Step: Seeking Professional Help

One of the most crucial steps in addressing anxiety is seeking professional help. While this step can feel daunting, it's often the beginning of significant relief and improved quality of life.

Mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and counselors, are trained to diagnose anxiety disorders and develop personalized treatment plans.

The assessment process typically involves discussing your symptoms, medical history, life circumstances, and family history. This comprehensive evaluation helps determine the specific type of anxiety disorder you may be experiencing and any co-occurring conditions, such as depression or substance use disorders.

A thorough assessment is essential for developing an effective treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

When seeking professional help, it's important to find a provider who specializes in anxiety disorders and with whom you feel comfortable. The therapeutic relationship is a significant factor in treatment success, so don't hesitate to meet with several providers before deciding who is the best fit for you.

Many of the resources listed in this guide can help you locate qualified mental health professionals in your area who specialize in anxiety disorders.

The Journey Forward: Hope and Recovery

Living with an anxiety disorder can be challenging, but with appropriate treatment and support, recovery is not only possible but expected. Recovery doesn't necessarily mean complete absence of anxiety-rather, it means developing the skills and resources to manage anxiety effectively so that it no longer controls or significantly impairs your life.

The journey toward recovery is unique for each person, influenced by factors such as the specific anxiety disorder, its severity, co-occurring conditions, available resources, and individual circumstances.

Some people experience significant improvement within weeks or months of beginning treatment, while others may need longer-term support to achieve their goals.

Throughout this journey, maintaining hope is essential. Research consistently shows that the expectation of improvement is a factor in treatment success.

Remember that thousands of people recover from anxiety disorders every year, going on to lead fulfilling lives with meaningful relationships, satisfying work, and joy.

As you move forward, consider these principles for sustained wellbeing:

Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a good friend facing similar challenges.

Embrace imperfection: Recovery isn't about perfection but about progress and learning from setbacks when they occur.

Build meaning and purpose: Engaging in activities aligned with your values provides motivation and fulfillment beyond symptom management.

Maintain connection: Nurture relationships that provide support, understanding, and joy.

Continue learning: Stay curious about new research, approaches, and resources that might enhance your well-being.

Give back when ready: Many find that sharing their experience and supporting others on similar journeys adds meaning to their own recovery.

Remember that seeking help for anxiety is a sign of courage, not weakness. By taking steps to address your anxiety, you're investing in your health, relationships, and future.

The resources provided in this guide offer numerous pathways to support, whether you're just beginning to explore treatment options or looking to enhance your existing care.

You deserve to live a life where anxiety no longer limits your potential or diminishes your joy-and with appropriate help and support, that life is within reach.

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The Ultimate Anxiety Disorder Support Guide For Young Adults

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Comprehensive guide offering young adults with anxiety disorder support-symptoms, statistics, co-occurring substance use, treatment options, and key resources.

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Community Regional Crisis Response (CR2) collaborates with Community Service Boards, Core Service Agencies and other professionals so every individual, child and family we support benefits from coordinated care and a team approach.

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Most parents wonder at one time or another whether or not they're doing a good enough job. But for parents dealing with depression, these thoughts can feel overwhelming. Because depression affects self-esteem and makes it hard to stay engaged with daily life, parenting with depression might make showing up for your kids feel impossible.

If you're a parent dealing with depression, you're not alone. The latest research shows that 8.4 percent of adults in the U.S. -- or 21 million people -- have had at least one major depressive episode. And some research indicates that the risk of developing depression may be higher for parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here's how to tell if you might be experiencing depression, and how to care for your kids (and yourself!) if you are. Depression is treatable, and with support, parents experiencing it can thrive.

There are different degrees of depression, and it can look different from person to person. Some parents experience depression around the birth of a child, while others might develop it much later. Still others may have been dealing with depression throughout their lives and find that parenting intensifies or changes the experience of coping with it. And depression can affect parents of any gender. You can learn more here about common kinds of depression and their symptoms.

Cara Macari, LCSW, a clinical social worker at the Child Mind Institute explains that depression often affects a parent's motivation. "With depression come strong urges to sort of hunker down and isolate oneself," she says. "That makes it difficult to engage in activities, and could even make it difficult to engage with kids."

This was the case for Jazmine Cruz, 34, of New Jersey. The mother of two and elementary school teacher has battled depression since her grandfather's death when she was in middle school. Both of her births came around the same time as the deaths of close family members, which caused a spiral each time. "You're supposed to be overjoyed for your first child, but I didn't have that," recalls Cruz. "Everything that should have been joyful about motherhood was impacted by depression." Cruz struggled to pull herself out of that feeling, sometimes to the point of her children's milestones not seeming significant. She'd grown accustomed to feeling unmotivated and down, but once she had kids, those symptoms became even more distressing.

Macari adds that some parents with depression may find spending time with their children to be less enjoyable, and they may develop a monotone or flat affect. "This can make you appear or feel less warm to your kids and others around you." And the effects of depression on parenting can also impact the parent's self-esteem. "When you're feeling a spiral, you might skip going to the park, for example," says Macari. "What comes along with that is, 'I let my kids down, I'm a failure, I'm a terrible parent.' And after having that thought, you have more sadness, and more depression. And when you have more sadness, and more depression, you continue to have decreased motivation."

It's important to remember that d epression goes beyond ordinary parenting stress. All parents have rough days, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. The difference is that depression symptoms persist on good days, too, though they may be exacerbated by stressful ones. For example, dreading a busy day from time to time is a normal part of parenting. But frequently feeling so down that you can't get out of bed is a sign of depression.

Macari notes that parenting with depression can make it difficult to help kids deal with their own big emotions. "If you have a very young child who's having a lot of tantrums or behavior problems," she explains, "it's harder for a parent to regulate their own emotions and help the child regulate theirs." Without stable emotional role models, young children might have a harder time learning appropriate reactions to upsetting or frustrating situations.

For older kids, a parent's depression can lead to a sense of responsibility that goes beyond what's appropriate for their age. Macari notes that they may step into a parentified role, taking on decision-making and household duties when their parents are down.

For instance, if a depressed parent struggles with things like hygiene and housekeeping, or even caring for younger siblings, the child in the parent role may not have the support they need and miss out on age-appropriate activities like spending time on schoolwork and with friends.

Despite the challenges, it's not a given that parental depression will impact kids negatively, especially when the parent gets treatment. There are strategies and supports you can use to make parenting with depression more manageable and make sure your kids' needs are met.

When a parent is struggling, it's often helpful for a child to have an age-appropriate explanation.

Even young children can tell when a grown up is dealing with depression, even if they don't understand it or have the words to describe it. Cruz describes her daughter's experience: "Once she got to six or seven, she'd begin to notice my energy shift. She'd realize something was wrong because I'd gravitate towards my room."

New York City-based therapist Jor-El Caraballo, LMHC, points out, "It's critical to remember that children are incredibly perceptive, and talking comfortably is essential." He recommends having age-appropriate conversations. "The conversations should largely depend on the kid and developmental level. For instance, it might be appropriate for younger children to just share that the parent isn't feeling well and has a condition that affects their mind and makes them more tired than they might look." It's also important to emphasize that the parent's feelings aren't the child's fault, since young children in particular tend to blame themselves for problems around them.

For Cruz, part of dealing with depression is being honest with her daughter about what she is experiencing. They have mental health check-ins twice a week, and her daughter participates, expressing her own concerns when she has them. They both try to be as descriptive as possible. When Cruz's son is old enough to understand and articulate his feelings, she intends to bring him into the conversations as well.

For older children, Caraballo recommends naming depression and identifying specific symptoms. You can also tell kids a little about how you're taking care of yourself and getting support - for example, "I have hard days, but my doctor is helping me find ways to make things easier."

Clinical psychologist Gillian Woldorf, PhD, uses this direct approach for her 13-year-old. Their conversations include calling Dr. Woldorf's condition by name and describing how she's treated it through therapy and medication. "I think it's as important for my kid to know about the family history of depression and anxiety as it is for her to know about the family history of allergies and asthma," she says. "I want her to know what to be alert to in her teen years and beyond, so that if she does start to experience anything similar, she won't feel as blindsided and alone as I did."

Dr. Woldorf's approach includes honest conversations about topics ranging from suicidal ideation to self-harm, and she encourages her daughter to let her know if she or any of her friends are struggling with their mental health. She's found in her practice treating children and teenagers that kids can handle tough conversations, and that parents who are hesitant to have these conversations may be battling their own sense of stigma. "Today's kids and teens are growing up in a society that's much more open about mental health issues than the society of the '80s and '90s," she says.

Macari notes that getting treatment for your depression is the best way to protect the mental health of your children. "The good thing is that there are a lot of interventions for parents with depression," Macari says. Effective treatments for depression often include both therapy and medication, and support groups (either online or in person) can also help. Additionally, Macari notes that family therapy can be a way to help kids and adults build communication and coping skills together.

It's also important to enlist other adults (including your child's other parent, if they're involved) in supporting you and your family while you're dealing with depression. For instance, you might have a couple of friends and family members on call to step in when you're not feeling up to daily tasks. Setting up this support on days when you're feeling better means that your whole family will be under less stress during harder times. Cruz says that, even when she's spiraling, having a support system has been crucial, and that network includes therapy, her mother, and her pastor. When she's down, she's grateful for the support of loved ones who are able to pitch in.

Depression comes with an increased risk of thinking about and attempting suicide, so be sure to reach out for help if you're having thoughts of suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) offers free, 24/7 support across the United States.

Finally, remember that experiencing depression does not mean that you're an inadequate parent. Both Cruz and Dr. Woldorf show that one can still care for their children even when battling depression. Being open about their struggles with their daughters has helped both their mental health and their children's.

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Parenting Through Depression - Child Mind Institute

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Most parents wonder at one time or another whether or not they're doing a good enough job. But for parents dealing with depression, these thoughts can feel overwhelming. Because depression affects self-esteem and makes it hard to stay engaged with daily life, parenting with depression might make showing up for your kids feel impossible.

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More info sheets

Author: BC Schizophrenia Society

When a parent has a mental illness, it has a significant impact on children. Children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) face family disruptions that affect all areas of their life, including education. For example, is difficult for children and youth to complete assignments or focus on learning when one is worried about the safety of their parent or dealing with the stress of being separated from a parent due to hospitalization. Many children become caregivers for their parent and take on additional household responsibilities like caring for younger siblings to support the family. These added duties contribute to further stress and distractions from attending school, doing homework and studying.

Children often experience a range of emotions in response to their parent's mental illness. They may be confused and frightened about what is happening, or angry at their parent or the situation. Some children blame themselves for their parent's mental illness and feel guilty or ashamed of their family, their parent and sometimes even themselves. Sometimes children grieve the loss of their "normal" family life or the relationship they had with their parent before their mental illness. Children may need extra support to process these strong emotions and develop coping strategies.

Children of parents with mental illness are also at risk for a number of emotional, behavioural and social problems that can impact their behaviour at school. They are more likely to develop a mental illness themselves, because of genetic disposition and risk factors in their home environment.

How schools and educators can help

Awareness of how parental mental illness impacts children can help educators to be understanding of their situation and support them at school. Teachers and other educators can be a trusted person for children to talk to about what is happening at home. They can also help children access additional support by connecting them with a school counsellor and providing information about available resources. When appropriate, extensions on assignments or additional support may be beneficial for children who are dealing with disruptions at home.

Support resources

There are several resources available for children who have a parent with a mental illness to help them understand more about mental illness and learn to cope:

Kids/Teens in Control are support and education programs offered through B.C. Schizophrenia Society for children and youth ages 8-18 who have a family member with mental illness. These programs help children/youth understand mental illness and develop healthy coping strategies and resiliency, while connecting with other children/youth who share similar experiences.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Vancouver Fraser Branch offers Super Fun Groups for children who live with a parent with a mental illness. These groups build resiliency, instill confidence and increase children's social networks through recreational activities and monthly outings.

COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) is an Australian website that offers information about mental illness and advice for how to cope specifically for children and youth who have a parent with a mental illness.

Breaking down stigma-Resources for educators

The stigma that surrounds mental illness also affects children at school. People do not always understand or are frightened by mental illness-friends, classmates and teachers may treat children differently when they learn their parent has a mental illness. Children may even be teased or bullied. In order to avoid embarrassment, children may avoid inviting friends over or talking to them about their family. As a result, some children have difficulty building and maintaining friendships, potentially leading to social isolation and anxiety.

Educators can help by educating all students about mental illness. Providing accurate information and encouraging open conversation about mental illness helps break down stigma, creating a safer school environment for children whose lives are affected by mental illness.

Film about parental mental illness: I Am Still Your Child

The CBC documentary film I Am Still Your Child, explores the experiences of children growing up with parents who have mental illness through the stories of three youth Sarah, Jessy and Von.

For children impacted by a parent's mental illness, this film can provide a starting point for talking about the challenges they face and learning that they are not alone. The film is also helpful for friends or classmates to better understand what may be happening so that they can be supportive and understanding.

The website iamstillyourchild.com provides additional video clips, statistics and resources to accompany the film, including a discussion starter guide with suggested questions educators can use in their classrooms.

Children's books about mental illness

Explaining mental illness to children can be challenging. Here is a list of children's books that can help start the conversation about mental illness:

Additional resources and books about parental mental illness can be found on the I Am Still Your Child website.

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Supporting Children of Parents with Mental Illness in the Classroom | Here to Help

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More info sheets Author: BC Schizophrenia Society When a parent has a mental illness, it has a significant impact on children. Children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) face family disruptions that affect all areas of their life, including education.

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Ask an Expert

Answered by Heather Bernstein, PsyD

Q How do I tell my 10-year-old daughter about my own mental health issues? I have BPD and hear voices and am unsure how to explain why sometimes I am different.

I think one of the most important things for you to know is that this isn't a one-time conversation, so you don't have to say it all at once. You are opening a dialogue that will probably continue for the rest of your child's life, so less is more. Take it slow and communicate that you aren't afraid to talk about mental health.

In terms of what to say, being developmentally sensitive is important. A ten-year-old might not be able to understand what hearing voices means, for instance. You might start by focusing on how your mental health impacts your daily life. This is a good strategy because that's what your child is probably going to care the most about. So you might say something like "I struggle with my mental health and what that means for me is I sometimes feel really big emotions and I have to manage those." Or maybe it's "I have a hard time with my relationships." While you are talking, really pay attention to how your daughter is responding. You can use that as a measure for how much to share.

You can also talk about what you are doing in terms of treatment. Kids want to know that you are healthy and getting the services you need, because it makes them less fearful. So you might describe what you do - for example, "I work with doctors. One of the doctors I talk to about my emotions, one of the doctors talks to me about my medicine. I go every single week to make sure I'm taking care of myself." Be clear that you are giving this information so they know you are being cared for, and it's not their responsibility to take care of you.

If your child has questions that you feel confident in being able to answer, then answer those truthfully and in a developmentally appropriate way. If there are questions that you aren't sure how to respond to, feel free to take a pause. That might be a good time to talk with your therapist to discuss the best way to discuss with your child. Because your therapist knows about your child and your relationship, they might also be able to provide good guidance about how to have this conversation, now or during future conversations.

Heather Bernstein, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Bernstein works ... Read Bio

Get tips, articles, and insights about children's mental health and learning disorders.

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How do I tell my 10-year-old about my mental health issues? - Child Mind Institute

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Lo sentimos, la página que usted busca no se ha podido encontrar. Puede intentar su búsqueda de nuevo o visitar la lista de temas populares. Answered by Heather Bernstein, PsyD Q How do I tell my 10-year-old daughter about my own mental health issues?

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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids 

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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids 

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Witnessing a parent in a state of anxiety can be more than just momentarily unsettling for children. Kids look to their parents for information about how to interpret ambiguous situations; if a parent seems consistently anxious and fearful, the child will determine that a variety of scenarios are unsafe. And there is evidence that children of anxious parents are more likely to exhibit anxiety themselves, a probable combination of genetic risk factors and learned behaviors.

It can be painful to think that, despite your best intentions, you may find yourself transmitting your own stress to your child. But if you are dealing with anxiety and start to notice your child exhibiting anxious behaviors, the first important thing is not to get bogged down by guilt. "There's no need to punish yourself," says Jamie Howard, PhD, director of the Stress and Resilience Program at the Child Mind Institute. "It feels really bad to have anxiety, and it's not easy to turn off."

But the transmission of anxiety from parent to child is not inevitable. The second important thing to do is implement strategies to help ensure that you do not pass your anxiety on to your kids. That means managing your own stress as effectively as possible, and helping your kids manage theirs. "If a child is prone to anxiety," Dr. Howard adds, "it's helpful to know it sooner and to learn the strategies to manage sooner."

It can be very difficult to communicate a sense of calm to your child when you are struggling to cope with your own anxiety.

When we are feeling anxious, we start worrying about what might happen in the future - all those "what ifs." To avoid getting caught up in worries about the future, try practicing mindfulness, which is a technique for focusing on the present. Here are two common mindfulness techniques to try:

Squeeze Muscles: Starting at your toes, pick one muscle and squeeze it tight. Count to five. Release, and notice how your body changes. Repeat exercise moving up your body.

Belly Breathing: Put one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Slowly breathe in from your stomach (expand like a balloon) and slowly breathe out (deflate).

You can try to practice mindfulness in the moment when you're feeling anxious, but it is also a good idea to set aside time to be mindful every day. Regular practice will help you use the techniques more effectively when you really need them, and it can also make you feel calmer in general.

Pay attention to what triggers your anxiety. While feeling anxiety is unavoidable sometimes, we can also make it worse by dwelling on it. If you are someone who jumps to the worst-case scenario when you have a tickle in your throat, using WebMD might make you even more alarmed. Likewise, if you are stressed out by what's happening in the news, spending time reading it - or even using social media - might make you feel worse. Setting boundaries about when and how you will engage with things that could trigger your anxiety is a good idea.

If your anxiety is severe and practicing mindfulness and setting boundaries on your own isn't helping, consulting a mental health professional makes sense. A clinician can help you work through methods of stress management that will suit your specific needs. As you learn to tolerate stress, you will in turn be teaching your child - who takes cues from your behavior - how to cope with situations of uncertainty or doubt.

"A big part of treatment for children with anxiety," explains Laura Kirmayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist, "is actually teaching parents stress tolerance. It's a simultaneous process - it's both directing the parent's anxiety, and then how they also support and scaffold the child's development of stress tolerance."

When you learn some strategies for managing stress that work for you, you can then impart them to your child when she is feeling anxious. If, for example, you are working on thinking rationally during times of stress, you can practice those same skills with your child. Say to her: "I understand that you are scared, but what are the chances something scary is actually going to happen?"

Try to maintain a calm, neutral demeanor in front of your child, even as you are working on managing your anxiety. Dr. Howard says, "Be aware of your facial expressions, the words you choose, and the intensity of the emotion you express, because kids are reading you. They're little sponges and they pick up on everything."

While you don't want your child to witness every anxious moment you experience, you do not have to constantly suppress your emotions. It's okay - and even healthy - for children to see their parents cope with stress every now and then, but you want to explain why you reacted in the way that you did.

Let's say, for example, you lost your temper because you were worried about getting your child to school on time. Later, when things are calm, say to her: "Do you remember when I got really frustrated in the morning? I was feeling anxious because you were late for school, and the way I managed my anxiety was by yelling. But there are other ways you can manage it too. Maybe we can come up with a better way of leaving the house each morning."

Talking about anxiety in this way gives children permission to feel stress, explains Dr. Kirmayer, and sends the message that stress is manageable. "If we feel like we have to constantly protect our children from seeing us sad, or angry, or anxious, we're subtly giving our children the message that they don't have permission to feel those feelings, or express them, or manage them," she adds. "Then we're also, in a way, giving them an indication that there isn't a way to manage them when they happen."

Come up with strategies in advance for managing specific situations that trigger your stress. You may even involve your child in the plan. If, for example, you find yourself feeling anxious about getting your son ready for bed by a reasonable hour, talk to him about how you can work together to better handle this stressful transition in the future. Maybe you can come up with a plan wherein he earns points toward a privilege whenever he goes through his evening routine without protesting his bedtime.

These strategies should be used sparingly: You don't want to put the responsibility on your child to manage your anxiety if it permeates many aspects of your life. But seeing you implement a plan to curb specific anxious moments lets him know that stress can be tolerated and managed.

If you know that a situation causes you undue stress, you might want to plan ahead to absent yourself from that situation so your children will not interpret it as unsafe. Let's say, for example, that school drop-offs fill you with anxiety. Eventually you want to be able to take your child to school, but if you are still in treatment, you can ask a co-parent or another trusted adult to handle the drop off. "You don't want to model this very worried, concerned expression upon separating from your children," says Dr. Howard. "You don't want them to think that there's anything dangerous about dropping them off at school."

In general, if you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed with anxiety in the presence of your child, try to take a break. Danielle Veith, a stay-at-home mom who blogs about her struggles with anxiety, will take some time to herself and engage in stress-relieving activities when she starts to feel acutely anxious. "I have a list of to-do-right-this-second tips for dealing with a panic, which I carry with me: take a walk, drink tea, take a bath, or just get out the door into the air," she says. "For me, it's about trusting in the fact that the anxiety will pass and just getting through until it passes."

Trying to parent while struggling with your own mental health can be a challenge, but you don't have to do it alone. There is a lot of support online, on blogs, forums and social media. Getting support from the people in your life is important, too. Those people can be therapists, co-parents, or friends - anyone who will step in when you feel overwhelmed, or even just offer words of support. "I am a part of an actual support group, but I also have a network of friends," says Veith. "I am open with friends about who I am, because I need to be able to call on them and ask for help. "

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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids - Child Mind Institute

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Witnessing a parent in a state of anxiety can be more than just momentarily unsettling for children. Kids look to their parents for information about how to interpret ambiguous situations; if a parent seems consistently anxious and fearful, the child will determine that a variety of scenarios are unsafe.

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Browse the FRC Collection of Books about Mental Health 

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Browse the FRC Collection of Books about Mental Health 

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Welcome to the FCPS Family Resource Center!
We offer a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. We provide access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
The Family Resource Center Lending Library contains over 10,000 books/e-books, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children including those with learning challenges, mental health concerns, special needs, and disabilities. Please call 703-204-3941 or email FRC@FCPS.edu us if you have further questions.

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Healthy Minds Fairfax Children's/youth behavioral health and physical health database

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Healthy Minds Fairfax Children's/youth behavioral health and physical health database

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Falls Church Wellness Center: Top Mental & Physical Health in DC Metro

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Welcome to Falls Church Wellness Center, the DC Metro’s prime destination for holistic mental and physical health. Our seasoned team of professionals delivers top-tier therapeutic services, ensuring a safe and compassionate environment for all. From mental health expertise to physical well-being, we’ve got you covered

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Tips for Supporting Your Child with Anxiety or OCD

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Tips for Supporting Your Child with Anxiety or OCD

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Loudoun Serenity | Recovery Housing | Leesburg, VA, USA

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Loudoun Serenity House provides Recovery Housing and Peer Recovery Services in Loudoun County VA

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New Client Information | Ellie Mental Health, PLLP

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Looking for a therapist that you can grow and thrive with? Ellie Mental Health makes finding a provider easy. Here’s how to get started as a new client.

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Playfully Resilient Counseling Center provides family, adolescent, and child therapy to families in Northern Virginia using expressive and play therapy, offering expertise to families navigating complex situations.

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Entendiendo el Trauma en sus Hijos parte#2

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Un trauma surge cuando una persona está expuesta a un evento perturbador, como un desastre natural o la muerte de alguien de la familia, así como haber sido víctima de violencia física, psicológica o sexual. Esta experiencia causa tal grado de angustia y de dolor, que se mantiene más allá del tiempo considerado típico para la sanación.

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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We help teens, young adults, and their families overcome challenges with substance use, addiction, and mental health conditions.

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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Sandstone Care: Mental Health, Drug, & Alcohol Rehab For Teens & Young Adults

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We help teens, young adults, and their families overcome challenges with substance use, addiction, and mental health conditions.

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Kennedy Krieger Institute is a world's premier institution dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with pediatric developmental disabilities and disorders of the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system, through patient care, special education, research, and professional training.

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​Nobody likes to think about a disaster happening—but thinking about it is exactly what we need to do. Preparation makes all the difference; it can literally save lives.

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Nature can be very dangerous. The forces of nature, like the rain and wind, can hurt people and destroy things. When this happens, it's called a natural disaster. There are many different types of natural disasters and they can happen almost anywhere. While you can't stop it from happening, you can stay safe during one if you know what to do.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are very rainy and windy storms that are pretty scary. Hurricane winds move so fast that it can hurt trees or damage houses and cars. It can also rain so hard that water rises and causes a flood. When there's a hurricane, your parents will listen to the news on the television or radio. The weather report on the news will tell them if the storm is so bad that you'll need to leave your home. If you can stay home, your family will need to know what to do before, during, and after the storm. Before the really strong winds start, ask your parents if you can help them bring in things that might blow through a window or hurt someone. Outdoor decorations, plants in pots, and even garbage cans should be put in the garage or the house. During the storm, stay inside toward the center of the house. Don't go near windows or anything made of glass. Glass can break and cut or hurt you badly. The best place to stay is in a room with no windows or under a sturdy table. Don't go outside until your parents say it is safe.

After the storm has stopped, don't drink from the faucet unless an adult says it's okay. Stay away from any flooded area. The water may not look deep or like it is moving but don't be fooled! It could be fast-moving or deeper than you think!

Tornado

A tornado happens during some storms. It's a cloud that looks like a tunnel and has strong, fast winds. With a tornado, the wind can blow 200 miles per hour or faster! That's really fast and really dangerous! A tornado can even completely knock down a house! The wind also throws things around. These things can be small, sharp, or as heavy as a big truck or a tractor. When they are thrown around by the wind, they can hurt people and destroy things that are in their way. Lightning also happens when there is a tornado and sometimes hail, or chunks of ice may fall from the sky.

If there's a tornado warning go someplace that's safe from the wind and flying objects like a basement, a bathroom, beneath the stairs, or a closet. Your safe spot should be on the lowest level of the building you're in or your house. Go to a room near its center and stay away from windows or anything heavy that might fall on you. Chances are, your parents already have a tornado plan. Ask them about it before a tornado hits and go where they tell you if you can. If you're outside, run to a building. If you are in a car or can't make it to a building or your house, run to a low spot like a ditch. Get down low and cover your head with your arms. Because a tornado can pick up a car, never hide inside one.

Floods

Floods can happen very suddenly. Flood water can be deeper than it looks and fast moving. Don't play, step in, or go near it. It can carry you away, so stay away! Glass, snakes, and nasty things can hide in flood water. Some of these things can make you very sick so don't drink it or put it in your mouth at all. Move to higher ground or if water is flooding your house, go upstairs and away from the rising water.

Blizzard

A blizzard is a winter storm that can be really dangerous. During a blizzard, it's snowy and windy, and it can be hard to see. A lot of the time, blizzards are also really cold, even freezing. When it snows heavy, it's hard to get around. Stay inside where it's warm and dry if you can. If you're outside during a blizzard, dress warmly and be sure to wear gloves and a jacket. Always wear a hat to keep your head warm too. Try to stay dry and wear a scarf that you can use to cover your mouth when you breathe.

Earthquake

When the earth begins to suddenly shake, it's super scary. The shaking can be so bad that things sitting on shelves or hanging on walls may fall and break. Earthquakes that are really bad are strong enough to even make some bridges and buildings fall! You can stay safe during an earthquake by moving away from things that might fall. Get down under something that's sturdy and strong like your desk at school or a table. Protect your neck and head with a pillow if one is nearby or use your arm. If you can't find a table to crawl under crouch down by a wall that's away from windows and objects

If you're outside, go to a clear open space. Stay away from trees or anything that might fall over and hurt you. Stop, get down, and then wait for the shaking to come to a stop. Remember to cover and protect your head.

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A Kids Guide to Disaster Preparedness | AlertFind

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Nature can be very dangerous. The forces of nature, like the rain and wind, can hurt people and destroy things. When this happens, it's called a natural disaster. There are many different types of natural disasters and they can happen almost anywhere.

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How to prepare kids for possible natural disasters. 

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How to prepare kids for possible natural disasters. 

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Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today.

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Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today.

Whether you're a kid or teen yourself, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters.

Games - Play games to practice preparing for a disaster. Explore

Prepare with Pedro - Join Pedro and his friends to learn how to prepare for disasters! Explore

Resource Collections

Español (Spanish) - Recursos disponibles en español (Resources available in Spanish).

Youth Opportunities - Opportunities for youth to develop skills and be leaders.

For the Classroom - Lesson plans and classroom activities to help your students be ready.

Family Emergency Planning - Resources to help start your family emergency plan.

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Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today. Whether you're a kid or teen yourself, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters.

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Disasters cause tremendous change in the lives of survivors. Parents and guardians may want to consider ways to approach their children as they cope with the changes in their lives at home and in school due to Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Addressing the Emotional Impacts of a Disaster

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Kids can better cope with a disaster when they feel they understand what is happening and what they can do to help protect themselves, family, and friends. Give them basic information to help them understand, without providing unnecessary details that may only alarm them.

Very young children: Provide concrete explanations of what happened and how it will affect them ( a tree branch fell on electrical wires and that is why the lights do not work, for example). Let children know there are many people who are working to help them and their community to recover after a disaster (such as repair crews for the electric company, or firefighters, police, paramedics, or other emergency personnel). Share with them all of the steps that are being taken to keep them safe; children will often worry that a disaster will happen again.

Older children: They will likely want, and benefit from,more information about the disaster and recovery efforts. No matter what age, start by asking children what they already know and what questions they have and use that as a guide for the conversation. Limit media coverage of the disaster-if children are going to watch media coverage, discourage watching it live. Instead, try to preview the coverage and then watch along with them to answer questions and help them process the information.

Getting basic information about what happened so that they can understand what is happening in their world can help children. But remember, graphic details or disturbing images or sounds may only serve to alarm them. In fact, the aftermath of a crisis is a good time to disconnect from all media and sit down together and talk as a family.

Be sure to ask children what questions or concerns they have. Often they have fears based on limited information or because they misunderstood what they were told. Reassure children when able to do so, but if their fears are realistic, do not give false reassurance. Instead, help them learn how to cope with these feelings. See the following articles for more information:

How to help children cope

After a disaster or crisis, help them learn how to cope effectively. Although it is not useful for adults to appear overwhelmed by the event, it is helpful for them to share some of their feelings and what they are doing to deal with those feelings. Children cannot be expected to cope with troubling feelings if no one models effective coping. Allow children to "own" their feelings.

Let your child know that it is all right to be upset about something bad that happened. Use the conversation to take the opportunity to talk about other troubling feelings your child may have. A child who feels afraid is afraid, even if adults think the reason for the fear is unnecessary.

If you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, look for some support from other adults before reaching out to your child. See these articles for more information:

Don't feel obligated to give a reason for what happened. Although adults often feel the need to provide a reason for why someone committed such a crime, many times they do not know. It is okay to tell your child that you do not know why at this time such a crime, for example, was committed.

Allow children to express their regrets over "secondary losses" (without accusing them of being selfish) and help them figure out ways to minimize the impact or find alternatives. Children are not only trying to deal with the disaster, but with everything else that follows. They may have to relocate, at least temporarily, and could be separated from friends or unable to attend the same school. Parents may have less income and the change in finances may impact their ability to participate in activities they enjoyed or travel to visit family out of town.

Getting involved in your community

Children, just like adults, often feel helpless after a disaster. Help them figure out what they can do-that is meaningful to them-to help others in their community impacted by the disaster. See the following articles for more information:

How to support grieving children

Children who have experienced the death of a family member or friend need to understand and grieve a personal loss, above and beyond adjusting to the disaster itself. See the following articles for more information on how to support grieving children:

Talking to children in the aftermath of violence

See these resources and information to help children cope with the aftermath of community or school shootings.

If you have concerns about your child's behavior, contact his or her pediatrician, other primary care provider, or a qualified mental health care specialist.

More information

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shooting~ disaster~ movie~ school~ guns~ cope~ coping~ death~ shot~ media~ additional resources~ grief~ grieving~ support~ emergency

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​Children can cope more effectively with a disaster when they feel they understand what is happening and what they can do to help protect themselves, family, and friends. Provide basic information to help them understand, without providing unnecessary details that may only alarm them.

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Talking to Children about Natural Disasters 

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Talking to Children about Natural Disasters 

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Once again, parents and teachers are faced with the challenge of discussing an overwhelming natural disaster with children. Helpful tips:

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Fairfax Mental Health & Wellness | Psychiatry Center Fairfax VA

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Fairfax Mental Health & Wellness | Psychiatry Center Fairfax VA

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Fairfax Mental Health & Wellness | Psychiatry Center Fairfax VA | Best Psychologists & Therapists in Northern Virginia | Counseling

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Discover exceptional mental health care at Fairfax Mental Health & Wellness in Fairfax, VA. Our top-rated psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists provide personalized counseling and comprehensive wellness services designed to support every aspect of your mental health. Explore our range of services and find the best support you need in Northern Virginia today. Request an appointment today! Call 703-896-7628.

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Stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

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Stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

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Crisis stabilization and related services, collectively known as "REACH" (Regional, Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation) are available 24/7 for individuals of all ages with documented evidence of intellectual and/or developmental disability and individuals over 18 years of age with mental health and/or at risk behavioral challenges (qualifications described further below) who live in areas served by the following Community Services Boards (CSBs): Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William.

REACH services include mobile crisis response teams for crisis stabilization and prevention for adults and youth as well as crisis therapeutic homes for both adults and youth in need of short-term crisis stabilization and prevention outside of their home (30 days or less for crisis stays and 5 days or less for prevention stays).

Eligibility

REACH works with people who live in areas served by the following Community Services Boards (CSBs): Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William, including:
Individuals of all ages with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) who may also have a co-occurring mental illness and/or significant behavioral challenges.

Intensive Community Support

Support provided in the individual's current residence.

Adult and Youth Crisis Therapeutic Homes (ATH/CTH)

Residential crisis stabilization for up to 30 (adult) or 15 (youth) days.

Step down transition from hospitals, jail, and training centers.

Prevention stays to add additional support during periods of high stress.

Serves up to six adults (ATH and CTH) and six youth (CTH).

Provides clinical and behavioral support on a time-limited basis (up to 30 days, typically shorter for youth) to stabilize the individual and assess ongoing needs.

Other Services

24/7 mobile crisis support - respond to crises in the community within one hour.

24/7 crisis line.

24/7 face to face response.

Assess and determine support needs.

Develop crisis or behavioral plans (cross-system planning).

Referral services for ongoing treatment (community/prevention services, emergency medical, CSB intake, etc.).

REACH Mission

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities shall be supported with services that allow the individual to live the most inclusive life possible in his/her community which includes access to appropriate and effective crisis stabilization, intervention, and prevention services including mental health treatment services when indicated.

REACH Purpose

To provide meaningful and exceptional services so that children, adults and families living with disabilities and mental health challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Additional Information

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virginia regional education assessment crisis services habilitation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Community stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fairfax County, Virginia - REACH Crisis Stabilization Services works to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities.

# data[].attributes.headline
Stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

# data[].attributes.subject
Stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Crisis stabilization and related services, collectively known as "REACH" (Regional, Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation) are available 24/7 for individuals of all ages with documented evidence of intellectual and/or developmental disability and individuals over 18 years of age with mental health and/or at risk behavioral challenges (qualifications described further below) who live in areas served by the following Community Services Boards (CSBs): Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William.

REACH services include mobile crisis response teams for crisis stabilization and prevention for adults and youth as well as crisis therapeutic homes for both adults and youth in need of short-term crisis stabilization and prevention outside of their home (30 days or less for crisis stays and 5 days or less for prevention stays).

Eligibility

REACH works with people who live in areas served by the following Community Services Boards (CSBs): Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William, including:
Individuals of all ages with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) who may also have a co-occurring mental illness and/or significant behavioral challenges.

Intensive Community Support

Support provided in the individual's current residence.

Adult and Youth Crisis Therapeutic Homes (ATH/CTH)

Residential crisis stabilization for up to 30 (adult) or 15 (youth) days.

Step down transition from hospitals, jail, and training centers.

Prevention stays to add additional support during periods of high stress.

Serves up to six adults (ATH and CTH) and six youth (CTH).

Provides clinical and behavioral support on a time-limited basis (up to 30 days, typically shorter for youth) to stabilize the individual and assess ongoing needs.

Other Services

24/7 mobile crisis support - respond to crises in the community within one hour.

24/7 crisis line.

24/7 face to face response.

Assess and determine support needs.

Develop crisis or behavioral plans (cross-system planning).

Referral services for ongoing treatment (community/prevention services, emergency medical, CSB intake, etc.).

REACH Mission

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities shall be supported with services that allow the individual to live the most inclusive life possible in his/her community which includes access to appropriate and effective crisis stabilization, intervention, and prevention services including mental health treatment services when indicated.

REACH Purpose

To provide meaningful and exceptional services so that children, adults and families living with disabilities and mental health challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Additional Information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
virginia regional education assessment crisis services habilitation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Community stabilization services (REACH) for individuals with developmental disabilities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fairfax County, Virginia - REACH Crisis Stabilization Services works to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities.

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Flyer 2  Supporting Your Child with Anxiety

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SAMHSA's confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in United States and its territories. Find treatment for substance use disorders (e.g., opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder), and mental disorders (e.g., PTSD, depression, SMI).

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Fairfax Place Therapy – Child, Teen, Adult & Family Therapy

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Fairfax Place Therapy – Child, Teen, Adult & Family Therapy

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Fairfax Place Therapy – Child, Teen, Adult & Family Therapy

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Fairfax Place Therapy – Child, Teen, Adult & Family Therapy

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Counselors for children, teenagers, adults and families. Individual therapy for anxiety. Play therapy for parents and children. Family relationship building.

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Emotional Support Line-GMU Center for Community Mental Health

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Emotional Support Line-GMU Center for Community Mental Health

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Free Resources, Webinars, and Q&As on various mental health topics for families

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Free Resources, Webinars, and Q&As on various mental health topics for families

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Fort Health: Virtual Mental Health For Children And Adolescents

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The internet is full of articles and advice. But it's hard to know who to trust, or get a straightforward answer.

If you have a question, please submit it and one of our therapists will try to answer you as quickly as possible.

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Webinars and education sessions - Fort Health: Virtual Mental Health For Children And Adolescents

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Fort Health partners with clinicians and non-profits to provide free education sessions for parents, teachers and therapists. Please do not treat this as medical advice.

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National Parent & Youth Helpline - Call, text or live chat

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We are not here to judge, we are just here to help. If you are struggling as a parent, caregiver or a youth, the helpline is here to provide vital support 24/7.

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In this fun and colorful video series from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Jane, our super-smart and friendly animated character, helps kids understand big feelings like stress, frustration, and sadness.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Hello kids, meet Jane the Brain! In this fun and colorful video series from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Jane, our super-smart and friendly animated character, helps kids understand big feelings like stress, frustration, and sadness. Join Jane as she explores ways to handle these emotions with relatable situations and helpful tips and coping skills.

Find additional educational videos, coloring books, and hands-on quizzes and activities to educate kids about mental health in Resources for Students and Educators.

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This colorful new video series from NIMH introduces kids to Jane, an animated brain, who helps kids understand and cope with big feelings like stress, frustration, and sadness.

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Emotions can be volatile. They can prompt us to do or say things that are harmful, hurtful, or just plain regrettable - so we do our best to manage, or regulate, them. Self-regulation looks like taking a deep breath and saying, "Please put your Legos away after you finish playing, so I don't step on one" instead of scooping up every Lego in your house and chucking them out the window.

As adults, we practice self-regulation all the time in interactions with our co-workers, friends, and partners. It's not always easy, but we know that it's more effective and productive to talk about what's upsetting us rather than to just react.

But self-regulation is not innate; it's a set of skills everyone must learn. Developmentally, kids are like cars with faulty brakes, born with the capacity to experience every shade of emotion but none of the tools to regulate them.

Co-regulation is a mutual act, an exchange of calm that occurs between two people. But when it comes to adults (who have acquired the cognitive tools to manage their emotions) and children, co-regulation also means helping a child learn how to regulate their own emotions by showing empathy and modeling calmness. Co-regulation does not mean pretending to exist in a state of calm all the time or never getting angry. It means actively managing your own emotions to help kids learn to manage theirs.

Co-regulation is both something you actively do as well as a biological process - it happens in your body. Research shows that we can directly influence certain processes in one another, such as the production of a stress hormone called cortisol. The distress of others - say, a wailing child - can cause us to feel similar distress. And when we remain calm, we can influence the production of hormones in others to help them calm down too.

Co-regulation has recently become a buzzword in parenting circles, but LaKisha Hoffman, MSW, first encountered the concept as an assistant school principal in Richmond, California. "Students would come to me and be like, 'Oh, my teacher did this.' Then the teacher would also come to me and be like, 'Oh, the student did this and this,'" she recalls.

Teachers seemed to find that kids' behaviors set off their own emotions in ways that were difficult to control. "Some teachers were triggered by students getting up and walking around," Hoffman says. "Some were triggered by students who were talking out of turn. Some were triggered by students who were challenging them."

Hoffman, who is now the senior director of School and Community Programs at the Child Mind Institute, could empathize with teachers' frustrations. But she also recognized that, as adults, teachers had a greater responsibility to be aware of their own triggers so they could support and engage with students even when they acted out.

For adults - parents, caretakers, or teachers - co-regulation begins with self-regulation. Everyone is shaped by their own personal experiences. "We're all human," Hoffman says. "Different things set us off as adults. How do we recognize those things? How do we cope, soothe ourselves in those moments? That's the first step."

Hoffman, a former college basketball player, coaches several youth teams. She recognizes that one of her triggers is when a child bounces a ball while she's talking. It's a small thing, but Hoffman knows from experience that it bothers her. "But I can't just be like, 'STOP bouncing the basketball,'" she says. "I can't interact with them like that. I have to be calm in that moment and say, 'Hey, what's happening now? Are you supposed to be bouncing the ball?' I have to build a culture for them to understand why they shouldn't do that."

Humans have evolved stress responses to help us respond to danger, but those responses can be triggered by stress even when it isn't life-threatening. Perhaps you've heard the term fight-or-flight? Other stress responses include freeze and the lesser-known fawn (appeasing someone to avoid conflict). Say your child throws a tantrum in the grocery store because you took their iPad away. So, you give it back to avoid a scene. This is a fawn response. Fawn responses are also common among people who have experienced trauma, such as abuse.

Is your instinct to yell when your child upsets you (fight)? Instead, do you tend to walk away (flight) or are their reactions sometimes so overwhelming that you get mentally "stuck" and shut down (freeze)? Stress responses can become ingrained. But when you can recognize why you react to something that upsets you a certain way, you can find better ways to cope.

The phrase "take a deep breath" is a cliché for fighting stress. But decades of research show that deep breathing has profound effects on the regions of the brain that govern emotion and cognition. We tend to breathe too fast (hyperventilate) when we panic, so techniques to slow breathing can help us calm down. Even a few deep breaths can kick-start the process. Some specific techniques include belly breathing, box breathing, and butterfly breathing - a particularly good exercise to do with kids.

Of course, you can always just gulp in more air, but the purpose of deep breathing is really self-awareness. When we step outside of ourselves and acknowledge that yes, we are in fact quite angry, we are taking the first step toward controlling the anger - or whatever emotion we're feeling.

When adults can identify their own triggers and stress responses, they are better equipped to recognize them in kids.

Emotional dysregulation can look different depending on the person and situation. For a lot of kids, particularly young kids, dysregulation might look like screaming, stomping feet, or pounding fists on the floor. But consider fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Dysregulation can also look like withdrawing, overcompliance with adults, or an inability to say "no."

And dysregulation can escalate. "If I get worked up and kids are looking at me, then they all get worked up," says Hoffman. "Then we've just got a whole bunch of worked up people. How do we problem solve in that moment?"

The goal of co-regulation is to reverse course, to de-escalate intensifying stress.

Not all co-regulation is conscious. Our bodies and brains can respond to others without us even realizing it. That said, there are actions we can take to cue the process. Much like the way deep breathing sends a message to your brain to calm down, there are things you can do to send a similar message to another person's body.

Whether you're a teacher or a caregiver, it's important to teach kids strategies for calming down, like deep breathing exercises, before you need to reach for them in a crisis. When our emotions are out of whack, we can't easily focus on or process new information because our brains are too busy dealing with the stress.

Let's say a child is having a meltdown. They're collapsed in a puddle on the floor, hiccup-sobbing and struggling to catch their breath. The first thing you need to do is take stock of your own physical reaction - Is your heart beating faster? Do you feel your face getting hot? - and take a few deep breaths. Relax your body, then:

Get on their level. When a child feels overwhelmed, it's tough to help them calm down when you're towering over them. If you can, get close to eye level and look them in the eyes. Research shows that eye contact fosters trust and connectedness. Eye contact can help kids feel safe. But it's also important to note that some kids with autism can be hypersensitive to direct eye contact. so it's best to take your cues from the individual child.

Name their emotion. For example: "It looks like you're really upset, right now." Labeling a child's emotion lets kids know explicitly that you can see what they might be feeling. You're validating the emotion here, not the behavior - it's okay to feel bad. Labeling also teaches them to notice and name their own emotions, which for very young kids is not intuitive.

Change your tone. Be sure to keep your tone calm, and don't raise your voice. Trying your best to sound relaxed can be a powerful disruptor when a child is upset because we tend to imitate the behaviors we see in others. This "mirroring" happens subconsciously, as a product of mirror neurons in the brain. And there is growing evidence that suggests mirror neurons play an important role in how we learn and express empathy.

Give them a hug or a squeeze. When children are extremely dysregulated, they might be sensitive or even averse to touch. But if a child is consenting to touch, it is a potent tool in the co-regulation toolkit. Touching another person can boost their oxytocin levels. Oxytocin, sometimes called the "love hormone," makes us feel good. It also perpetuates its own release, meaning that a hug or a hand squeeze can have a positive effect that outlasts the action itself.

Guide them in a calming exercise. If there is a calming or breathing exercise that the child is familiar with - maybe you learned it together, maybe they learned it in school - suggest you do it together. Don't be deterred if they say no. Say you'd like to do the exercise because it helps you calm down (it's helpful, especially with very young kids, to reinforce what these exercises are actually for) and start doing it yourself. They may just watch you; they may join in. In the end, either outcome is valuable.

We are imperfect beings. We won't always offer the best or most mindful response when we're upset but making the effort to be aware of our own emotions and behaviors sets a powerful example for kids. Whatever your specific process, the most important takeaway of co-regulation is that kids absorb what they see you do - and it may be easier for them to calm down if you show them how to do it. As Hoffman says, "The best way to teach is to model."

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What Is Co-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute

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Co-regulation can help kids learn to manage their emotions but also requires managing your own.

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How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? 

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How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? 

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If you're a parent, chances are you've witnessed a tantrum or two in your day. We expect them in two-year-olds. But if your child reaches school age and meltdowns and outbursts are still frequent, it may be a sign that they have difficulty with emotional self-regulation.

Simply put, self-regulation is the difference between a two-year-old and a five-year-old who is more able to control their emotions. Helping kids who haven't developed self-regulation skills at the typical age is the goal of parent training programs. And many older children, even if they're beyond tantrums, continue to struggle with impulsive and inappropriate behavior.

What is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to manage your emotions and behavior in accordance with the demands of the situation. It includes being able to resist highly emotional reactions to upsetting stimuli, to calm yourself down when you get upset, to adjust to a change in expectations, and to handle frustration without an outburst. It is a set of skills that enables children, as they mature, to direct their own behavior towards a goal, despite the unpredictability of the world and our own feelings.

What does emotional dysregulation look like?

Problems with self-regulation manifest in different ways depending on the child, says Matthew Rouse, PhD, a clinical psychologist. "Some kids are instantaneous - they have a huge, strong reaction and there's no lead-in or build-up," he says. "They can't inhibit that immediate behavior response."

For other kids, he notes, distress seems to build up and they can only take it for so long. Eventually it leads to some sort of behavioral outburst. "You can see them going down the wrong path but you don't know how to stop it."

The key for both kinds of kids is to learn to handle those strong reactions and find ways to express their emotions that are more effective (and less disruptive) than having a meltdown.

Why do some kids struggle with self-regulation?

Dr. Rouse sees emotional control issues as a combination of temperament and learned behavior.

"A child's innate capacities for self-regulation are temperament and personality-based," he explains. Some babies have trouble self-soothing, he adds, and get very distressed when you're trying to bathe them or put on clothes. Those kids may be more likely to experience trouble with emotional self-regulation when they're older.

But the environment plays a role as well. When parents give in to tantrums or work overtime to soothe their children when they get upset and act out, kids have a hard time developing self-discipline. "In those situations, the child is basically looking to the parents to be external self-regulators," Dr. Rouse says. "If that's a pattern that happens again and again, and a child is able to 'outsource' self-regulation, then that's something that might develop as a habit."

Children with ADHD or anxiety may find it particularly challenging to manage their emotions, and need more help to develop emotional regulation skills.

How do we teach self-regulation skills?

Scott Bezsylko, the executive director of the Winston Prep schools for children with learning differences, says that acting out is essentially an ineffective response to a stimulus. The parent or teacher needs to help the child slow down and more carefully choose an effective response instead of being impulsive.

"We approach self-regulation skills in the same way we approach other skills, academic or social: isolate that skill and provide practice," Bezsylko explains. "When you think of it as a skill to be taught - rather than, say, just bad behavior - it changes the tone and content of the feedback you give kids. "

The key to learning self-regulation skills, says Dr. Rouse, is not to avoid situations that are difficult for kids to handle, but to coach kids through them and provide a supportive framework - clinicians call it "scaffolding" the behavior you want to encourage - until they can handle these challenges on their own.

Imagine a situation that can produce strong negative emotions, like a frustrating math homework assignment. If a parent hovers too much, they risk taking over the regulation role. "Instead of the child recognizing that the work is frustrating and figuring out how to handle it," Dr. Rouse explains, "what they feel is that the parent is frustrating them by making them do it."

Scaffolding in this situation might be helping the child with one problem, and then expecting them to try the rest. If they feel frustrated, they might get up and get a drink. They might use a timer to give themselves periodic breaks. The parent would check in on them at intervals, and offer praise for their efforts.

If a child is prone to melting down when they're asked to stop playing a video game, scaffolding might be practicing transitioning away from the game. "You'd want to practice with a game in which they're not overly invested - you don't want to begin with high-stakes," Dr. Rouse explains. "Have them practice playing for two or three minutes and then handing you the game. They get points towards something they want every time they do it."

Dry runs are another way to scaffold self-regulation. For instance, if you've had trouble with a child reacting impulsively or having a tantrum in a store, make a short visit when you don't need to do serious shopping. Have them practice walking with you, keeping their hands to themselves. They get points towards some goal every time they are successful.

Dr. Rouse says that often parents get discouraged when things don't go well the first time they try skill-building, but consistency and starting at a level that is appropriate for your child are key. Rather than giving up, try paring down the activity so it is more doable, and slowly give your child more and more independence to handle it.

For instance, if brushing their teeth is a problem for your child, you might start by focusing just on putting toothpaste on the brush, and respond with positive feedback and rewards when they do it. Once they've practiced that a few times, add the next step in the chain.

Similarly, if getting out the door in the morning is causing meltdowns, target one step at a time. First, say, getting dressed by 7:15. Once they've mastered that, set a target time for breakfast, and add that. Breaking the chain into small steps allows them to build self-regulation skills in manageable increments.

Help kids become self-reflective

Bezsylko stresses that when parents or teachers approach impulsive, inappropriate behavior calmly and give them time, kids can learn to choose better ways to respond to that situation. The feedback kids need is non-judgmental and non-emotional: what went wrong, and why, and how they can fix it next time.

"When kids are part of an environment that's reflective and analytic as opposed to emotional and fast-paced," Bezsylko explains, "they can learn to make better choices." Slowing down allows children to become more thoughtful, reflective and self-aware. "We need to slow down and model self-reflection and self-awareness and self-regulation for our kids," he notes, "but it's also helpful and good for us, too."

Bezsylko notes that mindfulness and meditation are good for everyone, but especially for children with self-regulation challenges. And Dr. Rouse mentions the many parent training programs available to help them become better coaches for their kids. For older kids, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is also an option, as it focuses on distress tolerance and emotion regulation.

At the end of the day, though, nothing can replace the work of the parent. "It seems to me," says Dr. Rouse, "that the family environment is the most important piece."

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child regulate their emotions?

What is self-regulation in child development?

At what age can a child control their emotions?

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How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute

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Tips for helping kids improve their self-regulation skills when they need help to control emotions, handle frustration and resist impulsive behavior. Advice from experts.

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Guilt. Shame. Anger. Fear. We've all experienced these uncomfortable feelings, sometimes at intensities that are hard to tolerate. Painful emotions are part of being human, and learning how to respond to them in healthy and sustainable ways is one of the most important lessons a child can learn.

One of the best ways to help children navigate big feelings is through modeling healthy coping skills. Grace Berman, LCSW, a clinical social worker at the Child Mind Institute, defines coping skills as practices we can use to reduce the intensity or frequency of an unwanted emotion. Different people may rely on different coping skills, but here are some examples of safe, effective practices that are often helpful in stressful situations:

Deep breathing

Going for a walk or exercising

Mindfulness practices

Listening to music

Writing in a journal

Sensory stimulation, like splashing cold water on your face or holding ice cubes

Calling a friend

Playing with a pet

Positive self-talk ("I made a mistake, but now I know better for next time.")

In addition to helping improve mood, coping skills are a great way to practice acting with intention. Strong emotions sometimes give us the urge to act out in ways that we may later regret, and this is especially true for children and teens, who tend to have higher levels of impulsivity than adults. Coping skills can give kids the space they need to think before they act, helping them stay in control of their behavior.

So how do you model these important skills for your child? We've provided some pointers below.

One of the most reliable ways of managing your feelings in a stressful situation is to remove yourself from it, even if just for a little bit. Leaving the room before your feelings become overwhelming makes it less likely that you will explode in front of your children, while also showing them that it's okay to take breaks to acknowledge and respond to intense emotions.

Stepping away from an unresolved problem or conflict can be uncomfortable or even feel like a way of ignoring the issue. But it's important to remember that an emotion's intensity tends to increase until we get some distance from whatever it is that caused it.

"It helps to think about the life cycle of an emotion," Berman explains, "and to recognize that getting away from the trigger naturally brings that emotion down. And that's a big thing we focus on in therapy, being able to ask ourselves, 'When is my emotion's intensity so high that I need to do something to get away from it?' And it's when we give ourselves that space that we really become able to think about additional coping skills."

Of course, it's important not to leave your child unsupervised in potentially unsafe situations. If your child is also overwhelmed or is too young to be left by themselves, make sure that another parent or trusted adult is available to be present for them before stepping away.

When modeling for your child, talking to them about how and why you use coping strategies can help clarify your intentions. This is especially true for younger children, who might have a harder time grasping the significance of certain actions without a verbal explanation. For example, if you need to step away for a few minutes, telling your child that you need to spend some time tending to your feelings before leaving the room lets them know that they are not being punished or abandoned. Going a step further and breaking down the specific skills you will use while away ("I need some time to calm down, so I'm going to go listen to music for 15 minutes, and then I'll be back") gives them an example to emulate in the future.

Narration can also be a helpful tool for parenting older children and teens, because talking through your own emotional experience gives you a way to encourage healthy behavior patterns without getting into a power struggle. "We know that when a child is really upset or escalated, telling them to take some deep breaths and calm down is likely to backfire," says Berman. "And that's where narration can be helpful. It's not saying you do this, it's saying I'm doing this. And it's giving kids the space to do so as well without forcing it on them."

It's natural to want to protect your child from pain and discomfort. But unwanted emotions - even the most intense ones - are a normal part of life. The sooner we can accept that our children will experience painful feelings from time to time, the more we can help them manage those feelings when they do come up.

When it comes to modeling, this means that the impulse to avoid being sad, angry, our anxious in front of your child can be more harmful than helpful. If you only show your child your cheerful, relaxed side, they may get the message that difficult feelings are something to be ashamed of or avoided. While it can be uncomfortable for your child to see you get upset, being able to watch you self-soothe and put words to your experience ("I'm sad about some news I heard today, so I'm going to talk it over with a friend") can be helpful and reassuring.

At the same time, sharing your feelings with your children shouldn't be confused with losing control or lashing out at them. "There's a big difference between emotions and behavior," says Berman. "If you get mad and yell at your child, it's not your anger that's the problem - it's the way you've chosen to respond to it. What we really want to be doing is modeling what it's like to cope well, even when we're at emotion level ten."

Of course, responding to difficult emotions with intention and grace is easier said than done. So keep trying, and be gentle with yourself when you get discouraged.

For parents who are feeling insecure about their modeling skills, Berman recommends starting small. Regularly practicing just one or two healthy ways of managing stress can help you deescalate conflict and model healthy behavior for your kids as you build confidence in yourself as a parent and role model.

And remember: self-kindness is one of the most important coping skills that you can teach your kids. "We have this tendency to be really hard on ourselves," Berman notes, "and kids adapt to that pretty quickly." One of the most effective ways to counter negative self-talk in kids is by showing them what it looks like to have compassion for yourself even (and especially!) when you mess up. Speaking kindly to yourself and celebrating your accomplishments - even when they feel small - is an important form of self-care, but it's also a crucial part of parenting.

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How to Model Healthy Coping Skills - Child Mind Institute

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One of the best ways to help children navigate big feelings is through modeling healthy coping skills

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My daughter with anxiety issues is worried about getting her period. What can I do? - Child Mind Institute

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I have been trying to explain that she will be getting her period soon and that she shouldn’t worry about it but I know she is freaked out.

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How Early Puberty Affects Children's Mental Health 

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How Early Puberty Affects Children's Mental Health 

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Puberty is an intense time of transition for all children and adolescents, but it can be especially difficult for younger kids who are experiencing early puberty.

Early puberty, also called precocious puberty, is when a child's body begins to mature at an unusually young age - generally before age 8 for girls and age 9 for boys. Until recently, the average age for puberty was age 11 for girls and age 12 for boys, but now many experts consider any age above 8 or 9 to be normal. Experts cite many possible causes for early puberty, including genetics, nutrition and/or obesity, environmental cues, and trauma. Early puberty can cause emotional distress and increase the risks for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Many studies indicate that the average age of puberty in the United States is falling. As more and more children are maturing earlier than expected, it's important for parents to understand the emotional changes that puberty brings, and how to help kids develop coping skills to prevent long-term negative impacts.

What makes early puberty difficult?

Children experiencing early puberty may be going through physical and mental changes before they're emotionally mature enough to handle them. Sandra L. Whitehouse, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, explains: "With precocious puberty, they don't have the executive functioning or self-control that would allow them to manage their intense feelings. It's like a car where the accelerator is fully online, but kids can't reach the brakes or steering."

Beyond the physical transitions that come with puberty, there are emotional and social changes as well. Pubescent kids are starting to think about their identity - who they are, what they like, who they're attracted to. They may have overwhelming feelings, moodiness, and outbursts. Their relationship with their parents may become strained.

It's common at this stage of development to desperately want to fit in with your peers. Paul Mitrani, MD, PhD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child Mind Institute, says that kids may feel uncomfortable because their bodies are changing before their peers' bodies. "It is a time where you really want to be like your friends, and if you can't be, that can cause a lot more stress."

Children going through early puberty may experience bullying or sexual harassment (especially girls). They also may find that some people think they're older than they really are, which can lead to unrealistic behavioral expectations and risk of early exposure to mature behaviors like sexual activity and drug use.

"When someone assumes you're older than you are, you're exposed to different things and they may treat you in a different way," Dr. Mitrani explains. "And you may be ostracized from kids your age if you're taller or more developed."

What are the mental health impacts of early puberty?

Early puberty puts children at an increased risk for emotional and mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and poor body image or body dysmorphia.

As they continue to mature, children who went through early puberty may also be more likely to abuse substances, engage in earlier sexual activity (which is associated with higher risks of teen pregnancy), and suffer from eating disorders.

"It's like you're trying to fit into a certain mold, and when you can't, sometimes you're self-medicating or you're doing other things to try to control your body," explains Dr. Mitrani.

There can be important gender differences in the psychological impacts of early puberty. Some research indicates that early-developing girls seem to be more vulnerable to anxiety and depression, and that they can carry that risk for several years. For boys, early puberty may not be as distressing. "Early-maturing boys have some social advantages because they're bigger and stronger," explains Dr. Whitehouse.

But that doesn't mean that boys aren't at risk for emotional issues. With increased testosterone, they may have stronger emotions, a possible increase in aggressive behavior, and a sudden sex drive that they might not know how to manage. Since early puberty may cause stunted growth, boys may feel self-conscious about their height later on if they end up being shorter than their peers.

And for children who are transgender or nonbinary - who often experience extreme distress called gender dysphoria - puberty at any age can be especially difficult, and early puberty can exacerbate their challenges. "If you have gender dysphoria and your body is changing into something that is not aligned with your gender identity," Dr.Mitrani adds, "it's just going to be that much more stressful."

A child's racial or ethnic identity can also shape how early puberty impacts them. For example, Black girls often experience what's called adultification bias - they're perceived as less innocent and are expected to act older than they are. This can result in harsher discipline at school for the same infractions as their white counterparts. Undergoing early puberty only exacerbates this unfair treatment.

How can you help your child manage early puberty?

Parents can't control the changes that puberty will bring, but there are many ways to help your child prepare for and manage the transition.

Regardless of their age, when you first start to notice that your child is showing signs of puberty, it's best to check in with your pediatrician. For girls, puberty usually begins with growing breasts and underarm or pubic hair. For boys, larger testicles and body hair may be the first signs.

But the best way to help prepare your child for puberty starts long before the signs appear. "The earlier you can talk about these things in an age-appropriate way, the better," says Dr. Mitrani. Start discussing puberty with your child early, even around seven or eight years old. It's important to remove any stigma around it and allow your child to ask questions.

Keep in mind that you don't have to explain everything to them at once. In fact, that might overwhelm or confuse them. Take it slowly and let your child's questions guide the conversation.

"If your kid has a question, ask them why they want to know. Try to get more information about what they're asking you, and just give them the information that they're asking for," advises Dr. Mitrani. "You want to have these conversations early, but you also want to read the room."

When should parents seek mental health support?

If your child is undergoing early puberty and you're concerned about their mental health, you can help arm them with coping skills. And consulting with a therapist is often an effective way to do that.

"A lot of what therapy is all about - cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy -

is teaching kids the skills they need to become aware of themselves and aware of their emotions," explains Dr. Whitehouse. "And to learn strategies for recognizing when they're having thoughts that maybe they could challenge."

Parents can start teaching these skills early on, but during puberty, communicating effectively with your child can get harder.

"The relationship gets stressed when puberty hits, because naturally the developmental task of teenagers is to separate and individuate from their parents," Dr. Whitehouse says. "So they have a harder time talking to their parents, and there's more conflict where there used to not be. Parents feel like their child was just taken over by a monster, and kids feel the same way about their parents! And so a therapist can help to bridge the communication."

It's also helpful for parents to reinforce coping skills and emotional regulation at home. One of the best ways is to model healthy coping skills themselves, since children pick up behavior patterns from the adults around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can early puberty cause mental health problems?

What problems come with early puberty?

Are girls who mature early affected more than boys who mature early?

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How Early Puberty Affects Children's Mental Health - Child Mind Institute

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Early puberty, or a child's body maturing at an unusually early age - generally before age 8 for girls and 9 for boys - can cause anxiety, depression, and body image issues.

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9 Ways To Help Your Teen Address Anxiety

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9 Ways To Help Your Teen Address Anxiety

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Teens navigate many different forces that can impact their mental health. Some of those may include pressures from peers, school, social media, politics, and effects on their lives following the COVID-19 pandemic. But parents can provide essential support to help reduce teens' feelings of stress and anxiety. From limiting exposure to causes of stress to showing them skills that combat anxiety, there are different strategies parents can teach their teens to use during tough times.

Start By Recognizing Anxiety

Sometimes young people try to hide their emotions from parents, friends, and peers. But other times, anxiety is hard to miss. When teens experience anxiety, they may have repetitive thoughts or concerns that make them feel anxious at a level out of proportion with normal expectations. Parents can recognize anxiety in young people when they notice the signals.

Anxiety may cause physical symptoms like headaches, sweating, nausea, or dizziness for many adolescents. Things to look for include your young person having trouble calming themselves, having sleep issues, or blanking out during exams or other pressure-filled situations. Some adolescents with high anxiety levels may display catastrophic thinking. This is when they take an actual situation and spiral into what-if thinking until it takes on monstrous proportions.

Emotions are always giving you feedback on the world around you and how well you are managing what's coming your way.

Not All Anxiety Is Bad

We all need some anxiety in our lives. That's because not all anxiety is bad - sometimes, it is a protective warning signal. Dr. Lisa Damour , a psychologist and author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers , explains, "Emotions are always giving you feedback on the world around you and how well you are managing what's coming your way." She reminds parents, "...we want kids to be attuned to that feedback. Anxiety provides a key alert if they're with a bunch of friends and there's pressure to do something they may not feel so good about. They want to pay attention to that." Sometimes anxiety just alerts you to your general discomfort and can help you to up your game. For example, anxiety can give you butterflies in your stomach when you're nervous about an exam, going out on a date, or having to speak in public. While those emotions may feel uncomfortable, it is important to remind yourself they are only temporary.

But some young people experiencing anxiety may be unable to focus at school, a job, or at home. Grades or friendships could suffer. Some teens could be at risk of turning to dangerous ways of coping, like drinking or illegal drug use. For other young people, experiencing anxiety disorders can be associated with higher rates of suicide attempts. If you or someone you know needs help, call, text, or chat 988 or visit 988lifeline.org .

Be sure to let your teens know you stand by them and will be there to ensure the best for their mental health and emotional well-being. Here are nine ways for teens (and adults!) to combat anxiety:

Reach out to your healthcare provider. Checking in with healthcare professionals who regularly handle issues, including stress, anxiety, or depression, is a great place to start. They offer resources and coping strategies and can help you contact mental health professionals for more support. When young people suffer from high levels of anxiety, professional treatments can be highly effective. And consider this - it is a sign of strength to seek professional help and guidance. Parents can model this for teens so they know it's okay to turn to others in challenging times.

Learn more about what causes anxiety. Understanding what anxiety is and what can trigger it helps you better understand how to relieve it. Some people are more "wired" to experience anxiety than others - it's biologically built-in and does not necessarily have a cause that triggers it. For some teens, a wide range of hard experiences in childhood or adolescence can trigger anxiety problems. Some common experiences may include living through a traumatic event, physical or emotional abuse, exposure to drug use, being or living away from home, peer pressure, or losing a loved one.

Challenge your thoughts. Are you having irrational thoughts? Anxiety can magnify irrational thoughts. Your imagination may make thoughts worse than they are in reality. You can reduce concerns by taking a moment to challenge these thoughts and ask what evidence exists to support them. Try this: Catch your thoughts. Usually, anxiety-provoking thoughts begin with a word or phrase, like "I should" or "What if I don't?" Then ask yourself if facts - or emotions - fuel this thought. Remind yourself that the scenario you are worried about hasn't actually happened - you are creating it in your mind. Then ask how likely it is that your fear could come true. Finally, ask yourself, even if your fear to come true, would it still matter in a week, a month, or a year?

Get a good night's sleep. It's not just adults who have trouble getting their zzz's. For many teens, getting a good night's sleep is tough. From homework to chatting with friends to social media and more, plenty of distractions make it hard to get to bed. Sleep affects physical and mental health and mood. It's needed to move newly-learned things into your memory. Young people need nine to ten hours of sleep at night to reap its significant benefits during their waking hours. Get more sleep by avoiding caffeine in the evening and avoiding artificial light from phones, tablets, and computers for at least an hour before going to bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night feeling worried, get out of bed, leave the lights off, sit somewhere than your bed, and go back to sleep when you feel drowsy. If you stay in bed, your anxiety may increase and make it hard to get back to sleep. Being well-rested makes stressful situations more manageable.

Write in a journal. Writing things down in a journal creates a safe place to express your feelings. "Journaling" lets you organize and clarify thoughts and emotions while learning to control them. When writing, you can express yourself in ways that let you worry less and write more. Take note; you don't have to have the perfect "journal," either. A pad of paper or the computer works just fine for putting your words down.

Encourage teens to practice these coping strategies at home, school, or work. With regular practice, these skills become easier and easier to use. So when anxiety strikes, they've got highly effective strategies to reduce it. If they need additional support, encourage them to understand that professionals can really help them, and that they deserve to feel better.

If you want to learn even more, national organizations offer helpful information and support. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is a group of international mental health care providers that concentrate on the prevention and treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. The JED Foundation works to protect teens' and young adults' emotional health and prevent suicide by offering skills and support. To find a professional near you, start with your pediatrician or conduct a search on Psychology Today .

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9 Ways To Help Your Teen Address Anxiety

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Teens navigate many forces that can impact their mental health, but parents can provide support to help reduce teens' feelings of anxiety.

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Child Mind Institute | Información sobre la salud mental infantil

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Child Mind Institute | Información sobre la salud mental infantil

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Child Mind Institute | Información sobre la salud mental infantil

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El Child Mind Institute se dedica a transformar la vida de los niños al ofrecer información sobre salud mental.

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5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

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5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Overview

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness-it's essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.

About Self-Care

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:

Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don't be discouraged if you can't do 30 minutes at one time.

Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.

Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you're getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.

Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.

Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say "no" to new tasks if you start to feel like you're taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.

Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.

Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.

Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.

For other ideas for healthy practices for your mind, body, surroundings, and relationships, see the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wellness Toolkits .

When to Seek Professional Help

Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:

Difficulty sleeping

Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes

Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood

Difficulty concentrating

Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable

Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities

Don't wait until your symptoms are overwhelming. Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a mental health professional if needed. If you don't know where to start, read the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health. Learn more about how to get help or find a provider on the NIMH's Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.

What to Do in a Crisis

If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . This service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In life-threatening situations, call 911.

For additional information about suicide prevention, please see NIMH's Suicide Prevention webpage.

Featured Videos

Learn More

Federal Resources

Other Resources

Note: This list of non-federal resources is provided for informational purposes only. It is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by NIMH, NIH, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. government.

Last Reviewed: December 2022

Unless otherwise specified, the information on our website and in our publications is in the public domain and may be reused or copied without permission. However, you may not reuse or copy images. Please cite the National Institute of Mental Health as the source. Read our copyright policy to learn more about our guidelines for reusing NIMH content.

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Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others.

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Depression Archives - CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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Depression Archives - CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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Enjoying the CHC Voices of Compassion Podcast? Please consider supporting CHC's Community Education and outreach efforts, like this podcast and CHC Online Resource Library, with a gift today.

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Depression Archives - CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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Enjoying the CHC Voices of Compassion Podcast? Please consider supporting CHC's Community Education and outreach efforts, like this podcast and CHC Online Resource Library, with a gift today.

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Can My School Aged Child Really Be Depressed? -

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Can My School Aged Child Really Be Depressed? -

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CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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Dr. Patrice Crisostomo is a licensed clinical psychologist who is passionate about working with children, adolescents, parents and families. She has extensive experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and providing evidence-based treatments for youth and families. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Psychology, with honors. Thereafter, she coordinated a longitudinal research study evaluating treatment outcomes for children with ADHD. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Denver (DU), where she completed her MA and PhD in Child Clinical Psychology. At DU, her research focused on understanding components of psychotherapy that lead to improvements in the treatment of adolescent depression. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral psychology internship at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University/CHC's consortium. She sought continued training in comprehensive psychological assessments and evidence-based treatments of anxiety and mood disorders, autism and developmental disabilities and eating disorders through a postdoctoral fellowship within the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University (APA-accredited).

Dr. Crisostomo has enjoyed working within non-profit mental health organizations. She previously served as the clinical director of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at a clinic in West Oakland for adolescents and young adults with mood, anxiety and other comorbid disorders. She also worked at another local non-profit on the Peninsula conducting psychological assessments for children and adolescents.

Currently, she is a program manager for CHC's Clinical Services division. A California native, she enjoys cooking, hiking, practicing yoga, going to the beach and traveling.

Annemarie Kelleghan is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern at CHC and Stanford Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. She provides holistic care for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families to support their overall health and well-being. She focuses on collaborating with youth and families to highlight their strengths and to support them in improving their quality of life, interpersonal relationships and coping skills. Annemarie uses interventions informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), parent training, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing to address adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, somatic disorders, and behavioral challenges and to support family functioning. Annemarie has worked with a wide range of clients, providing infant mental health through transition-age-youth care in community mental health settings, schools, intensive outpatient programs and inpatient hospital settings.

Annemarie completed her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Biology & Society at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has completed her Masters of Arts in Psychology and Masters in Public Health at the University of Southern California (USC), and she will complete her PhD in Clinical Science from USC in August 2022. In her free time, Annemarie enjoys hiking, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends (ideally at the beach).

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Can My School Aged Child Really Be Depressed? - CHC Podcasts presents Voices of Compassion | Children's Health Council

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A weekly podcast produced by Children's Health Council (CHC) with insights, inspiration and creative conversations about mental health, education and family.

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 [downloadable] - CHC Resource Library | CHC | Services for Mental Health and Learning Differences for Young Children, Teens and Young Adults | 

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CHC Resource Library | CHC | Services for Mental Health and Learning Differences for Young Children, Teens and Young Adults | Palo Alto, San Jose, Ravenswood

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While they should not replace professional treatment, mental health apps can offer several benefits.

The following tools have been curated by experts from the Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services at CHC.

Online Mental Health Resources

High-quality digital resources can play a part in improving and maintaining mental and emotional health. Some are meant to be used independently, and others can be a valuable complement to professional care.

Mental health apps can provide:

A convenient way to access mental health resources and support anytime and anywhere.

Self-help tools and techniques that can empower individuals to better understand and manage their mental health.

Community features where users can connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges.

Tools that allow users to monitor their progress over time, identify patterns, and gain insights.

The follow apps were hand-picked by CHC experts.

Digital Tools for Parents

App

Free + paid options; no subscription necessary.

English & Spanish

Free psychoeducational content for parents + self-care tools for kids Wide range of topics (e.g., suicidality, anxiety, family conflicts)

Parents can set up their own home reinforcement system with the app Paid options include parent coaching, family therapy and individual therapy (ages 4-18)

$197/year

Unlimited access to interviews with 125 world-renowned experts on grit, motivation, resilience, courage, sleep, screentime and more.

Digital Tools for Kids

$197/year

Kids and teens ages 6-15 learn essential social-emotional skills including stress management, anger transformation, growth mindset, and more. Includes 8 research-based programs, 240+ animations, and hundreds of interactive resources that help kids regulate their emotions and learn the skills of mindfulness, resilience, and happiness.

App

Free

Designed for parents and caregivers to use with young children ages 2-5 Learn how to calm down and solve every day challenges using research- based techniques, silly animations and playful interactions.

Help a Sesame Street monster friend take deep breaths, think of strategies and try them out.

English and Spanish

Parent section is full of free resources such as tips and strategies and personalization options.

Digital Tools for Teens and Young Adults

Free

Mobile app developed with teens that supports the mental health of ages 13+.

Feel-good, teen-centric content, mood-boosting activities and coaching to help build coping and resilience skills.

Safe space, customized to meet individual teens' needs and interests. Coaching, therapy and crisis services directly in the app as-needed.

App is free but some paid services. ($9.99/month or $99/year)

Helps teens and young adults manage stress and pressure by increasing access to care and empowering them to develop resiliency skills. Co-developed with 300+ students.

Optimizes treatment matching by using neuroscience to determine the most effective behavioral technique for each individual.

After a brief personalization survey, you're matched with guided mental health content tailored to your needs.

Free

Teen mental health app using evidence-based CBT treatment for anxiety. Learn to reduce the physical responses to threat through breathing, relaxation, mindfulness, changing thoughts and behaviors and releasing emotions.

Free, optional fee-based workshops

Guided meditations and mindfulness exercises or a timer to meditate independently.

Download a PDF of this handout.

A screening can help you determine if you or someone you care about should contact a mental health professional. Care Coordinators can arrange a free 30-minute Care Consultation so you can explore options with an expert. Call or email us at 650.688.3625 or careteam@chconline.org to set up an initial Consultation appointment.

You might also be interested in these library resources:

Elementary school-age kids who sleep less than the recommended number of hours per night exhibit...

Children's Health Council is leading the emotional recovery with learning and mental health services for...

First, determine how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life. This fact sheet from...

Tags: adhd, anxiety, app, article, CHC, CHC Expert content, depression, downloadable, inattention, mental health, mental health resources, mindfulness, parenting, resilience, SEL, social emotional, stress, teen mental health, teen resource, young adult resource

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Digital Tools for Mental Health [downloadable] - CHC Resource Library | CHC | Services for Mental Health and Learning Differences for Young Children, Teens and Young Adults | Palo Alto, San Jose, Ravenswood

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While they should not replace professional treatment, mental health apps can offer several benefits. View this list of online resources curated by experts from the Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services at CHC.

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Anxious Children: Is your parenting Providing the Right Kind of Help? 

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Anxious Children: Is your parenting Providing the Right Kind of Help? 

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Teen Anxiety: How parents and teens can challenge anxiety together

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Teen Anxiety: How parents and teens can challenge anxiety together

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Lynn Lyons: Helping Children and Families Manage Anxiety Disorders

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Teen Anxiety: How parents and teens can challenge anxiety together

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Lynn Lyons discusses teen anxiety and how teens and parents can manage anxiety together on the podcast Launching Your Daughter with Nicole Burgess.

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It's normal for kids to get upset when they go through a big change. A move, a divorce, a new sibling - any stressful event in a child's life can affect their mood or behavior.

But sometimes kids under stress have very strong emotional or behavioral reactions that seem to be out of proportion to the events they're experiencing. When the distress begins to interfere with the child's daily life, they may have an adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorders are some of the more common mental health disorders in children.

Adjustment disorders always occur in response to a stressful event of some kind, followed by an unusually strong reaction to the event. Children who have an adjustment disorder will act or feel noticeably different than they did before, and their symptoms cause them serious problems in their day-to-day lives.

The symptoms themselves can vary a lot from child to child. "It can skew in the direction of more anxiety-related symptoms, or toward depressive symptoms, or centered around disruptive behavior and conduct problems, or some combination of the three," says Erika Rooney, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.

Because of the variety of reactions that kids might have, there are six distinct subtypes of adjustment disorder to help better guide diagnosis and treatment:

With depressed mood: Feeling extremely sad or hopeless, low energy, crying frequently.

With anxiety: Feeling very worried or jittery, separation anxiety, physical symptoms like stomachaches.

With mixed depressed mood and anxiety: Some symptoms of both depression and anxiety.

With disturbance of conduct: Disruptive behavior, anger, getting into fights.

With mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct: Some emotional symptoms (like depression or anxiety) as well as some behavioral ones.

Unspecified: Reactions that don't quite fit the other subtypes but that nonetheless interfere significantly with the child's life.

These symptoms start within the first three months of the stressful event, and they usually don't last for more than six months afterward.

Kids with previous mental health diagnoses can also be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, but only when the symptoms that show up after the event are much different than the symptoms they experienced before. For example, a child with ADHD who has previously had behavior problems might be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder if they develop anxiety after moving to a new town.

Adjustment disorders can be diagnosed at any age (including in adults), and they are common in both children and adolescents. Boys and girls are diagnosed with adjustment disorders at about equal rates.

Any event that a child experiences as particularly stressful or upsetting can be a cause of adjustment disorder. These events are not generally dangerous or life-threatening. Common examples include:

Moving

Changing schools

Parents divorcing or remarrying

A new sibling or other change in family composition

Being diagnosed with a health condition or having a family member be diagnosed

Social stresses (like falling out with a friend or a breakup)

School or extracurricular struggles (like failing a class or being cut from a sports team)

Different kids find different events stressful, and individual differences and cultural norms also play a role in shaping kids' experiences of life changes. "It's not a prescribed set of circumstances that can cause an adjustment disorder," says Dr. Rooney. "Sometimes it might not be something that's obvious to the parent." The key factor is that a child with adjustment disorder is more upset about what they've experienced than would normally be expected for a child of their age and circumstances.

Regardless of the specific stress the child is dealing with, it usually makes sense to reevaluate kids with an adjustment disorder whose symptoms last longer than six months. A clinician can determine whether the child's symptoms are still mainly a reaction to a stressor or if a different diagnosis, like an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, would make more sense.

Adjustment disorders are related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there are a few key differences between the two. Timing, type of event, and severity of symptoms are key factors in determining the diagnosis.

One big distinguishing feature is the kind of event that the child is reacting to. PTSD develops in response to a real or perceived threat of harm or death to oneself, or by seeing or hearing about a loved one going through that kind of event. Examples include violence, abuse, natural disasters, sexual assault, abrupt separation from a caregiver, serious accident or illness, or the unexpected or violent death of someone the child is close to. The same is true of acute stress disorder, which may be a precursor to PTSD if left untreated

Adjustment disorders, on the other hand, are unusually strong reactions to non-threatening, relatively normal life stressors and circumstances.

The symptoms are also different between the two disorders. "Adjustment disorder shares some of the symptoms you might see with PTSD, but not all and they might be less severe," says Dr. Rooney. For example, a child with PTSD or acute stress disorder might experience flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event and be completely overwhelmed with fear, while a child with adjustment disorder might be more preoccupied with worry or sadness.

Additionally, the child's symptoms need to continue for at least a month before being diagnosed with PTSD, because it's normal to be very upset right after a life-threatening event. Adjustment disorders can be diagnosed sooner, but they don't continue for as long after the event.

"If a clinician is unable to collect enough information about the child's symptoms or life history, or if they don't have time to do a full evaluation, for example in an emergency room, it may be unclear whether or not the child is experiencing PTSD," Dr. Rooney notes. In those cases, adjustment disorders are sometimes used as temporary diagnoses that might be updated once the clinician has more information.

Even though adjustment disorders don't usually last for long, professional support can be very helpful for kids who are experiencing them. In treatment, kids can learn to handle difficult feelings and manage life stress, which makes it less likely that they'll continue to experience mental health challenges going forward. Treatment for adjustments disorders is often brief, lasting only a few weeks or months.

Because the symptoms of adjustment disorders vary so much, treatment also looks different for the different subtypes. "Treatment is tailored to the primary symptoms that the child is presenting with," says Dr. Rooney. "If it's more of a disruptive behavior problem, for example, then it would be geared toward collaborating with parents on effective limit-setting, and helping the child with perspective-taking or impulse control, those kinds of things. If it's anxiety, then you'd focus it differently. It's really specific to how they present."

In many cases, the appropriate treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps kids understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. "Most kids with adjustment disorders respond well to the core components of CBT, which involves building up a set of effective coping skills, such as managing intense emotions, reframing unhelpful thoughts, and learning relaxation skills" Dr. Rooney says.

If a child with adjustment disorder is experiencing especially intense anxiety or depression, a doctor might prescribe them a low dose of an antidepressant medication. The medication can help ease the child's symptoms enough for them to engage in therapy and get through the most challenging phase of coping with the stressful event.

If your child has been diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, it's important to take their symptoms seriously, even though they're reacting to what might seem like ordinary life stress.

"The diagnosis is telling you that their symptoms are impairing enough to impede their functioning and quality of life, and as such, worth clinical attention," says Dr. Rooney. "Moreover, the symptoms could get more intense if the child doesn't get therapeutic support." At the same time, it can help keep things in perspective to remember that their condition is likely to be temporary and may not be related to any longer-term diagnosis. "If someone says your child has adjustment disorder with depressed mood, for example, it doesn't mean that they actually have major depressive disorder," she adds.

Validation often goes a long way in helping kids through challenging times, whether or not their symptoms reach the level of a clinical diagnosis. Even if your child's reaction seems out of proportion to you, knowing that you see their pain and are there to help them navigate it can help kids cope more effectively. For instance, you might say: "I see how hard this change is for you. It's okay to be upset, and we're going to get through this together."

Dr. Rooney also notes that parents who use effective coping skills themselves give kids a model for how to do the same. A lot of the events that might cause adjustment disorder for kids are hard for the whole family - if you've recently moved, lost a job, or had a new baby, for instance, chances are that you're dealing with plenty of stress of your own. By finding ways to relax as a family and talking openly about feelings at home, you can let kids know that it's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes and that there are things they can do to feel better.

"It's always good to make it a family activity, if one can," says Dr. Rooney. "You can have regular check-ins to see how everyone is coping, to model open communication and reinforce the skills that your child is learning in treatment, which will ultimately help them and the family."

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What Are Adjustment Disorders? - Child Mind Institute

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Sometimes kids have unusually strong reactions to stressful events. These kinds of responses are called adjustment disorders and they're some of the most common mental health challenges in children.

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Social Emotional Learning for Parents-Video

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Social Emotional Learning for Parents-Video

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Social Emotional Wellness: Considerations for Parents & Caregivers

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Social Emotional Wellness: Considerations for Parents & Caregivers

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Social Emotional Wellness: Considerations for Parents & Caregivers

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Mental Health Resources and Information: A Guide for Parents

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Mental Health Resources and Information: A Guide for Parents

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Browse our extensive directory of the best Therapists, Psychologists and Counselors near you.

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FRC Book Pack-Supporting Children and Teens with Big Emotions

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FRC Book Pack-Supporting Children and Teens with Big Emotions

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Supporting Children and Teens with Big Emotions

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FRC Book Pack-Supporting Children and Teens with Anxiety

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FRC Book Pack-Supporting Children and Teens with Anxiety

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Supporting Children and Teens with Anxiety

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Mental Health Resources for Child and Families

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Mental Health Resources for Child and Families

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Mental Wellness and Trauma-Informed Practices in Military Families

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Mental Wellness and Trauma-Informed Practices in Military Families

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Mental Wellness and Trauma-Informed Practices in Military Families

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Mental Health Care for All High School Students

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FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to help eliminate barriers to quality mental health care services for all high school students, at no cost to families. Available beginning April 10, 2023.

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Have a talk with your child to find out how they are doing. Give them your full attention. Listen carefully, repeat what you heard and ask if you got it right. When they feel heard and understood, they're more likely to share with you.

Notice what is going on with your child. You know your child best.

Here are some things to look for:

Becoming more irritable, hyperactive, energetic, fidgety, or aggressive.

Excessive sadness, fears or worries.

A steep in drop in grades, getting into trouble at school or not attending school.

Loss of appetite, significant weight gain or loss, lack of sleep or too much sleep.

Withdrawal from activities, family, or friends.

Alcohol or drug use.

Thoughts of harming themselves or others - Do not be afraid to ask your child if they are having these thoughts. Your asking will not put those thoughts in their head. Rather, it tells them you care and that you will help keep them safe.

How to get help

Below are several options for you to speak with a mental health professional. Do not worry about making the wrong choice. Every number leads to someone who can help.

If your child is having a mental health crisis, these services are available 24/7

Below are several options for you to speak with a mental health professional. Do not worry about making the wrong choice. Every number leads to someone who can help.

Call the PRS CrisisLink hotline at 703-527-4077, 1-800-273-8255 or text "CONNECT" to 855-11.

Call Children's Regional Crisis Response Children's Regional Crisis Response (CR2) at 571-364-7390.

Call CSB Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

Bring your child to the CSB's Merrifield Crisis Response Center, 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.

Call 911 if it is a life-threatening emergency. Make sure to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.

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Does my child have a mental health concern?

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Fairfax County, Virginia - Concerned that your child might have a mental health concern? Learn about things to look for and where to get help any time, or in an emergency.

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Mental Health Resources for Students and Educators

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Mental Health Resources for Students and Educators

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Free mental health videos, coloring books, and hands-on quizzes and activities for students and educators.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Six Facts Counselors Wish Parents Knew About Student Mental Health

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Six Facts Counselors Wish Parents Knew About Student Mental Health

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Six Facts Counselors Wish Parents Knew About Student Mental Health

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As the 2023-24 school year gets underway, here are six things high school counselors wished parents knew about student mental health.

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Family Support Groups-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

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Family Support Groups-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

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Online Family Support Group For Parents of Youth and Adolescents - NAMI Central Virginia

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About This Support Group This is a NAMI Family Support Group, which means it is a free mental health support group specifically for parents who have a loved

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is on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8 pm for parents/caregivers of children with mental health challenges. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org 

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Virginia Family Network Coffee Chat and Self-Care 

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Virginia Family Network Coffee Chat and Self-Care 

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Meets monthly on the 3rd Thurs. 9:00-10:30 am to connect and to discuss self-care journeys. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org

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For parents and caregivers of children living with mental health challenges meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 pm. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org