Mental Health Resource Library

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ADHD

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects behavior and concentration. Children and adolescents with ADHD frequently struggle with organization and focus and appear to be constantly on the move. Some people with ADHD do not experience hyperactivity; this used to be called attention deficit disorder (ADD), though the term is no longer used officially.

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Anxiety

What is Anxiety?

All children and adolescents occasionally experience anxiety, and it’s a natural part of growing up. Young people may become anxious at times, for example, on their first day of school or before an exam, but they often calm down and feel better once they get used to their new environment or are able to complete the task. If their anxiety doesn’t go away and keeps coming back, it could be a sign of something more serious.

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Bipolar Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings. The main signs of bipolar disorder in children and teens are mania (feeling overly excited or “high”) and depression (feeling overly sad or “low”).

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Mental Health Professionals

What Are the Different Types of Mental Health Professionals?

Mental health is a broad and complex issue requiring different support or treatment. If you think your child is struggling with their mental health making the decision to get professional help can be difficult. Even after taking this step, you might be confused about which mental health professional to reach out to first.

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Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can have a significant impact on young people, especially teens. It can be difficult for parents to understand what their child is going through and how best to help them.

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Social Media

Social Media and Mental Health

Navigating the internet and using social media can be a nightmare for kids, from cyberbullying to FOMO (fear of missing out) and cruel comments to seeing inappropriate sexual or violent images. Things we never had to worry about as parents, like an intimate photo texted to the entire school or Instagram videos of a birthday party we weren’t invited to, are now putting our kids at risk for mental health issues.

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Eating Disorders

What are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are a serious concern for many adolescents. They can hurt a teen’s physical and mental health as well as their overall health and well-being. It is important for parents to be aware of the signs of eating disorders and to know how to support their children.

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OCD

What is OCD?

OCD more common than people think. 2.3% of the population will develop it at some point. Adolescents with OCD tend to have distressing thoughts that won’t go away. They might act on their compulsions for temporary relief, even when they don’t really want to. They can also experience obsessions, compulsions, or both.

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Self-Harm

What is Self-Harm?

Self-harm is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of oneself, done without suicidal intentions. This can include cutting, burning, hitting or biting, interfering with wound healing, and other harmful activities. Self-harm is becoming more and more recognized as a way for people to try to deal with difficult feelings or situations.

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Substance Abuse

What is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is a growing problem among young people, and parents need to know how to spot the signs and how best to protect their children. Teens are facing more and more peer pressure in today’s society. Technology has made it easier than ever for peers to reach out and influence each other.

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Suicide

What is Suicidal Ideation?

Many young people will have suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, but suicidal ideation can affect anyone. This does not necessarily mean that they are going to make an attempt at suicide, but it does mean that they require assistance and support. It is important that any thoughts of suicide be taken seriously, and as a parent, you have every right to be concerned and to take prompt action in response to this concern.

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Talking About Mental Health

How to Talk With Your Child About Mental Health

There is a lot of transition for both parents and teenagers during adolescence. These years are a time of tremendous growth and change, both physically and emotionally. The changes in hormones that happen during puberty and cause the physical changes that come with it also affect how a teen thinks and feels. The teenage brain also goes through big changes that affect reasoning, making decisions, and even feelings. Children often push boundaries and test limits during this time, which can be challenging for parents.