Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

Why are our young people struggling so much? In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Gene and Khadijah dive into the growing youth mental health epidemic. They explore the sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among children and teens since the 1980s—fueled by factors like social media, shifting family dynamics, economic inequality, and systemic discrimination. With only about 11,400 child and adolescent psychiatrists in the U.S. for the 14–20 million young people who need care, the workforce shortage is dire. Gene and Khadijah call for urgent advocacy—encouraging listeners to support change through actions like contacting lawmakers, engaging with local communities, joining peer support efforts, and promoting mental health education. Tune in for a candid, compassionate conversation about how we can all help make mental health care more accessible and equitable for our youth.Media ListAddressing the Youth Mental Health Epidemic (Springer)Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (AACAP)Varying Estimates of Social Workers in the United States: Which Data Source to Use? (NIH)Ways to Help Your Lonely Teen Online Course (MGH Clay Center)Conflict Resolution Course (MGH Clay Center)Active Minds The Power of Peer Support (Shrinking it Down)Why Activism Is Good For Teens — And The Country (MGH Clay Center)If It's Okay To Not Be Okay (See Me Scotland)What's Up With Everyone? A Youth Mental Health Campaign With Academy-Award Winning Aardman (MGH Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost everyone knows a picky eater, either from their own childhood or from their child's experiences. But sometimes picky eating goes beyond a simple preference for plain pasta. In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah sit down with Dr. Kamryn Eddy to unpack the complexities of ARFID —Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. More than just picky eating, ARFID can significantly impact a person's physical health and social life, leading to growth issues, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional struggles. Tune in to hear more about ARFID, its treatments, and its promising recovery outcomes. Media ListKamryn Eddy, Ph.D. (MGH)ARFID (DSM-5)ARFID (National Eating Disorders Association)Eating Disorders Screening Tool (National Eating Disorders Assocation) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2024, the CDC reported that 1 in 29 middle school and 1 in 13 high school students used e-cigarettes monthly, with 8% using tobacco products. These statistics are especially troubling, given than 9 in 10 adults who smoke daily first tried smoking by the age of 18.On this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Randi Schuster of the MGH Center for Addiction Medicine to discuss ways to recognize the signs of teen nicotine use and strategies parents and schools can use to combat the new forms of nicotine.Media ListRandi Schuster, Ph.D. (Center for Addiction Medicine)Center for Addiction Medicine (MGH)iDECIDETruth Initiative: freedom from nicotine addictionSmoking and Tobacco Use | Smoking and Tobacco Use (CDC)Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)Highlights for the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMSA)My Life My Quit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palisades Fire has been devastating California since the start of the year, destroying over 23,000 acres and nearly 5,000 structures. In this special episode of Shrinking it Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins explore the emotional impact of these fires, sharing strategies for parents to help them manage their own and their family's anxieties about the fires.Media ListPalisades Fire (MalibuCity.org)California Wildfires Response (Red Cross)Breaking News and Kids (MGH Clay Center)The Psychological Gift Of Giving A Gift (MGH Clay Center)Climate Anxiety and Kids, featuring Elizabeth Pinsky, MD (MGH Clay Center)10 Self-Care Tips for Parents (MGH Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shrinking it Down will return on January 23rd for a special episode on teen nicotine misuse. Happy Holidays and we hope you have a great New Year! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the recent Advisory, Parents Under Pressure, the US Surgeon General noted that parents are currently more stressed, burned out, and lonely than ever before. The alarming statistics are not all that different than his Advisories on the Youth Mental Health and Loneliness Epidemics that have been escalating since the late 1970s.In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss this new advisory and what parents can do to combat these increased feelings of stress and loneliness.Media ListParents Under Pressure (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Protecting Youth Mental Health (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Self-Care for Parents (MGH Clay Center)NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Myths About the 12-Step Program (MGH Clay Center)Parental Stress: Practical Tips in Response to the Surgeon General (Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's be honest, we're all stressed.We're stressed about climate change, world crises, the upcoming election, or even just the common stressors of everyday life: economic pressures, relationship issues, burnout, you name it. So, with all stress, our conversations can easily become more uncivilized.In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss the key elements of conflict resolution, strategies for civil conversations, and a special role-play scenario to help demonstrate positive conflict resolution.Media ListPolitical Polarization in the American Public (Pew Research Center)Conflict Resolution - 10 Tips for Families (Clay Center)Parents Under Pressure (U.S Surgeon General)Parental Stress: Practical Tips in Response to the Surgeon General (Clay Center) Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you haven't been through the process with a child before.In part 2 of this series, Gene and Khadijah continue their discussion with Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law. They discuss evaluation results, advocacy, and the importance of destigmatizing special ed. Media ListLearning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) (MGH) Ellen Braaten, PhD (MGH) Eileen M. Hagerty, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP (KCS Legal) Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Mass Advocates) Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips (Shrinking it Down)Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy (Wrights Law)From Emotions to Advocacy by Pamela Darr Wright and Peter W.D. Wright (Wrights Law)Parents Have the Power to Make Special Education Work (Amazon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple! For our season premier, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law – Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, – to do a deep dive on the special education system. On part 1 of this two-part series, they provide legal and practical tips by discussing the definitions, rights, and processes involved in special education evaluationsMedia ListLearning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) (MGH) Ellen Braaten, PhD (MGH) Eileen M. Hagerty, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP (KCS Legal) Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Mass Advocates) Coping With ADHD: How A Young Man And His Mom Are Managing The Path To Success (MGH Clay Center) Our Greatest Strengths, Part 2 (Shrinking it Down) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (US Department of Education)Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (US Department of Education)Intro to Processing Speed (MGH Clay Center) What are the Best Treatments for ADHD (MGH Clay Center) Dyslexia 101 (MGH Clay Center) What is Autism (MGH Clay Center) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Helpline (Mass Advocates) Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing.For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children's author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion and beauty by taking a closer look at Marley's Pride, a new children's book about overcoming big anxieties and realizing the power of community. Plus, stay tuned to the end to hear everyone's favorite children's book!Media ListThe Importance of Stories for Child Health (MGH Clay Center)Barefoot Books - About Us Joelle Retener Marley's Pride (Goodreads)Mindful Kids Card Deck (Barefoot Books)Berry Song, by Michaela Goade (Goodreads)Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wall (Goodreads)The Snowy Day, by Jack Keats (Goodreads)The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams Bianco (Goodreads)We wish you a story-filled summer! We'll see you back here in October on the Third Thursday of every month. Until then, be well.Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz and Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls. On today's show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack what every parent should know about disordered eating in boys. They discuss the pressures boys face when it comes to body ideals, the impact of sports culture, and how to recognize signs of an eating disorder in your child.Media List Jason Nagata, MD (University of California, San Francisco) Why eating disorders are affecting more adolescent boys (PBS News Hour) Parents' perception of their child's body image (Mott Poll Report) Boys, Bulk, and Body Ideals: Sex Differences in Weight Gain Attempts Among Adolescents in the United States (Journal of Adolescent Health) The real cost of a “Marvel body”: How the pressure to look like Thor and Captain America is hurting men (Salon) Muscle Dysmorphia (National Eating Disorders Association) Research suggests student athletes face body image concerns, develop rigid eating habits (Clemsen News) Disordered eating and considerations for the transgender community (Journal of Eating Disorders) What Are the Treatments for Eating Disorders? (MGH Clay Center) Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys (Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas N. Zacher) Resource Center (National Eating Disorders Association) 19 of Your Favorite Superheroes: Then and Now (RVCJ) Special thanks to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for connecting us with special guest Jason Nagata, MD.Podcast theme music by Gene Beresin, MD, MAEpisode research by Spenser EgnatzEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're a regular listener, you'll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence. Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined by special guests John Corbett, MD and Terrance Dolan, MD, two MGH/McLean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows (and lovers of roleplay games) to delve deeper into how it can be used in therapy and at home to support our kids' mental health. Stay tuned to the end to hear everyone's favorite games!Media ListFollow along with the conversation.John Corbett, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)Terrance Dolan, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residence of MGH/McLean (YouTube - Mass General Brigham)Role-playing (Wikipedia)The use of clinical role-play and reflection in learning therapeutic communication skills in mental health education: an integrative review (Advances in Medical Education and Practices)What Is Family Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)The Positive Value of Conflict Resolution (MGH Clay Center)The Psychology of Video Game Avatars (The Psychology of Video Games)Why do kids love Roblox? (LinkedIn - Education Next)Helping Kids With Challenging Behavior, feat. Stuart Ablon, PhD (YouTube - MGH Clay Center)The Incredible Hulk, TV series (IMDB)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We'll see you back on the THIRD Thursday of next month!Podcast music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn't just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety. Today, Gene and Khadijah discuss how to approach your teen if you've discovered they are using alcohol, marijuana, or a prescription or over-the-counter drug, and what health risks to know about for each of these.These are hard conversations to have. We hope that ours will help you to have yours.Media ListWhen to Worry, What to Do PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)CDC Report Indicates Teens are Seeking to Escape Worries and Stress Through Drug Use (HuffPost)Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health (US Dept of Health & Human Services)Alcohol & Adolescents, featuring John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP (Podcast) Alcohol - Conversation Starters with Dr. Gene Beresin (YouTube)Asking Adolescents About Alcohol with Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins (YouTube)Cannabis and the Teen Brain, featuring Jodi Gilman, PhD (Podcast)Once You Have Discovered Your Teen Is Using Pot, What's the Next Step? (MGH Clay Center) Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC Drugs (WebMD)NARCAN's Available Over the Counter, Should I Carry It? (MGH, Psychiatry)Addiction Recovery Management Services (MGH, ARMS)When to Worry, What to Do PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)Myths About the 12-Step Program (MGH Clay Center)Find a Treatment Facility (SAMHSA)If you have a question that we didn't cover, please get in touch. Write to Gene or Khadijah at mghclaycenter@mgb.org. Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan and Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have heard of dog therapy and pet therapy. But what exactly is equine therapy?Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and more? Plus, tune in until the end to hear everyone's favorite horse films and TV shows!Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Who We Are (BINA Farm Center)How Much Does a Horse Weigh? (PetMD)Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: Facing Trauma With a horse by Their Side (McLean Hospital)Very fashionable Angel! (BINA Farm, Instagram)Hippotherapy (Nationwide Children's Hospital)Effect of animal assisted interactions on activity and stress response in children in acute care settings (Comprehensive Psychoneuroendicrinology)How Horses Read Human Emotions (EQUUS)Therapeutic horseback riding for at-risk adolescents in residential care (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health)Effects of Therapeutic Hoseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Int'l Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)Buck (IMDB)The Incredible Dr. Pol (National Geographic)The Black Stallion (1979) ORIGINAL TRAILER (YouTube)Find a Program – Equine Assisted Services (PATH International)New episodes on the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream!Music by Gene BeresinResearch by Spenser EgnatzProduced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference?Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey.Read the episode transcript.Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Senator John C. Velis (malegislature.gov)A Good Day on Beacon Hill (Instagram, MGH Clay Center)Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery (malegislature.gov)Sen. John Velis faces alcoholism one day at a time (CommonWealth Beacon)Could your Honor Student Have an Addiction? feat. Marty Walsh (YouTube, MGH Clay Center)Regional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis' (Daily Hampshire Gazette)D.A.R.E didn't work. How can school programs actually keep kids off drugs? (Yahoo! News)MCPAP (MA Child Psychiatry Access Program)Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (The University of Texas System)When to Worry, What to Do – PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)State commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral health (East Boston Times)Peer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, Anxiety (National Education Association)Happy Birthday, Carson! (Instagram, State Senator John Velis)We'll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Very special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts joins Gene and Khadijah to discuss legislative opportunities to address the youth mental health crisis. He says a big focus needs to be on schools, for both intervention and prevention.Be sure to tune in next week on the THIRD Thursday of the month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role should prescription stimulant medication play in a child's ADHD treatment plan? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more.How do you talk to your child about stimulants? What side effects should you watch out for? How do you manage after-school rebound? If you're a parent trying to navigate the stimulant shortage, Dr. Rostain has advice on that, too. PLUS, some cool info on the history of stimulants.Read the episode transcript here.Media ListFollow along with the conversationAnthony Rostain, MD, MA (Cooper University Health Care)What's behind the ADHD drug shortage? (WBUR On Point)Stimulant Abuse: Pharmacology, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Treatment, Attempts at Pharmacotherapy (Primary Care via PubMed Central)Ask Ellen: How to Help Your Child Develop Executive Function Skills (MGH Clay Center on YouTube)Is It Safe to Use Stimulants to Treat ADHD? (MGH Clay Center)Understanding the Effects of Stimulant Medications on Cognition in Individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Decade of Progress – Figure 4 (Nature)Adverse Effects of Stimulant Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Comprehensive Systematic Review (Cureus via PubMed Central)ADHD Medications for Children: 8 Questions from Parents (ADDitude)How stimulant treatment prevents serious outcomes of ADHD (Science Daily)Review: ADHD Stigma Is Prevalent Globally (ADDitude)What's causing the unusually high number of drug shortages in the U.S. (PBS News Weekend)AACAP Comments on DEA Production Quota Notice for 2024 (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We'll see you back here the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.Music by Gene BeresinEpisode research by Spenser EgnatzEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special guest Anthony Rostain, MD, MA joins us this month to discuss all things stimulants - myths, misconceptions, and managing the shortage. If you have a young person in your life with ADHD, or have ADHD yourself, you don't want to miss this episode!See you back here on December 21st - the THIRD Thursday of the month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent national surveys show that a significant proportion of college students report having felt overwhelmed, anxious, and lonely during college. If college is supposed to be the “best years of your life” then why are so many students lonely? That's what Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins dive into today: what's contributing to feelings of loneliness, when should we worry about it, and what can we do to help? They share tips for parents and caregivers, and college students themselves.Media ListFollow along with the conversation.New Surgeon General Raises Alarm About the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)Our Epidemic of Loneliness: Implementing the Surgeon General's recommendations for parents and caregivers (Psychology Today)'22-'23 Student Lifestyle Survey (Sodexo)Publications and Reports: ACHA-NCHA III (Spring 2023) (American College Health Association)Why Is College So Lonely? (The Sophian)The Challenges of First-Generation College Students (MGH Clay Center)Social Media is Killing Your Friendships (Healthline)Your College Student – Conversation Starters (YouTube)Peer Programs in College Student Mental Health (The Mary Christie Institute & The Ruderman Foundation)Roy Orbison – Only the Lonely (YouTube)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We'll see you back the Third Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream & leave us a review!Music credit: ‘Only the Lonely' by Roy Orbison; Publication date, 1961; Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 InternationalOriginal music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All of us have fears – kids and adults alike. Many of us even enjoy a good scare now and again (there's a reason why horror movies do so well). Most fears – real or imagined – eventually respond to reassurance, emotional calming, or distraction. But when a fear persists, resisting rational or emotional soothing and creating obstacles in daily life, it becomes a phobia.Just in time for Halloween, we're kicking off our new season with a look at specific phobias in kids. We're joined by special guest Susan Sprich, PhD of Massachusetts General Hospital to learn more about fears and phobias, and to discuss what treatments work best and what parents can do to help.Media ListSusan Sprich, PhD (Massachusetts General Hospital)Cognitive Behavior Therapy, featuring Susan Sprich, PhD (Spotify)Could You Have Samhainophobia or the Fear of Halloween? (VeryWell)Types of Specific Phobia (Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania)Fear of the Dark? 16 Ways to Help Your Child (MGH Clay Center)Nature Vs. Nurture, featuring Jordan Smoller, MD, ScD (Acast)Treatment – Phobias (NHS)How Do You Treat Specific Phobias in Kids? (MGH Clay Center)Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale – Revised (CTRS-R) (Beck Institute)Involving family members in exposure therapy for children and adolescents (American Psychological Association)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We hope to see you back the Third Thursday of every month! Subscribe wherever you stream. Episode produced by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript:Hi, this is Gene Beresin, co-host of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple. We'll have all new episodes for you beginning next month – on the THIRD THURSDAY of every month. We've got some great topics lined up for this season: the stimulant shortage, phobias in kids and teens, the benefits on animal therapy, and so much more. Do stay tuned, and we'll see you soon. Subscribe wherever you stream - new episodes every THIRD THURSDAY of the month. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With increasing gun violence and constant media coverage, many kids are scared to go to concerts, to malls, to school. Many adults are feeling the same. Today, special guest Gretchen Felopulos, PhD, the education and training lead for the Center for Gun Violence Prevention at MGH, joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn more about gun safety, youth suicide, best practices for lockdown drills, talking about guns to those with opposing views, and so much more. Be sure to see the resources, below.Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Gretchen Felopulos, PhD (LinkedIn)Center for Gun Violence Prevention (Massachusetts General Hospital)Twitter, TikTok, and Siloization (The Medium)Firearm suicide among America's youth has hit its highest rate in 20 years, report finds (CBS News)Talking to Kids About Fear and Violence (Mental Health America)Can Community Programs Help Slow the Rise in Violence? (ProPublica)Are active shooter drills worth it? (Vox)Active Shooter Situations: Threat Assessment Teams (TAT) (REMS TA Center)School shooting false alarms, swatting calls put teachers, students and parents on edge (PBS News Hour)Nine Ways to Help Students Discuss Gun Violence (Greater Good Magazine)How to Have a Productive Conversation About Guns with Someone Who Holds Different Views? (The Trace)Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) or “Red Flag” Laws (American Academy of Pediatrics)Activism Is Good for Our Teens (MGH Clay Center)Keep the Peace Contract (Boys Town)About Wear Orange (wearorange.org)Thanks for tuning in. We hope our conversation will help you to have yours. If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transition to college can be huge for all kids, but for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) there's even more to consider in making it a smooth transition. As parents, how do we best support them? How involved should we be? Special guest Dr. Chris Keary of the MGH Lurie Center for Autism Center joins Gene and Khadijah with helpful advice and answers to these questions and more. Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Christopher Keary, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital)MGH Fellowship Program in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Lurie Center for Autism)What is Autism Spectrum? (MGH Clay Center)Transition Planning Requirements of IDEA 2004 (Learning Disabilities Association of America)Autism Resource Central (HMEA)**What are a public or private college-university's responsibilities to students with disabilities? (ADA National Network)First-of-its-kind law improves college access for students with autism, intellectual disabilities (The Boston Globe)Autism Disclosure and College (Asperger/Autism Network)Not Every Autistic Person is a ‘Savant.' (The Swaddle)Autism goes to College: Understanding the Needs of a Student Population on the Rise (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)Anxiety and Depression in Autistic College Students (Cureus)Autism Goes to College, The Podcast Series The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Official Trailer (YouTube)**similar services may be available in other statesMusic by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've reached a point in time where most of our kids have grown up with digital media as a way of life. Social media, instant viral news, e-learning, digital surveillance – it's all here to stay. And it's not all bad. But there are some legitimate concerns about how it's impacting the mental health and safety of young people.In this episode of Shrinking It Down, we revisit some of the most helpful conversations we've had about digital media's impact on our kids and teens. From issues related to body image and gaming disorder, to ways we can help our young digital natives become more digitally vigilant, Gene, Khadijah, and other experts share practical advice for every caring adult. To hear to any of the previous episodes in full or see the resources shared in their write ups, check out our media list, below. Media ListUnsettled About Instagram?Body Image and Young People, feat. Holly Peek, MD, MPHGaming Disorder, with Steven Schlozman, MDMedia Literacy and Mental Health, feat. Michael Robb, PhDKids Under Surveillance! with Steve Schlozman, MDBONUS: Asking About Social MediaThanks for joining in this conversation. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! And be sure to subscribe for new episodes every Third Thursday of the month. Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety. It's rising in our kids and teens. What can we do to help? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by very special guest Dr. Kevin Simon, Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the City of Boston. Dr. Simon draws on his experience in child & adolescent psychiatry, addiction medicine, health policy, and more, to help us talk through childhood anxiety. What's the right way to respond to a child with anxiety? Why can parental accommodation make things worse? How do we reassure kids whose anxiety stems from legitimate concerns, like community violence or discrimination? What's the role of mental health education in supporting families?Tune in and share with a friend. And be sure to check out the additional resources below.Media List Kevin M. Simon, MD, LLCDr. Kevin Simon Appointed First Chief Behavioral Health Officer (City of Boston)St. Peter Claver RC Church (Place Matters)YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report, 2011-2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)What If My Child Has Anxiety? (PDF – MGH Clay Center)Anxiety to Agency: Empowering Kids to Address Climate Change (MGH Clay Center)Building Mental Wellness in Children: What Parents Can Do (MGH Clay Center)School Refusal: When Back to School Is a Nightmare (MGH Clay Center)Collaborative Problem Solving for Parents (Think:Kids)Anxiety: Support Your Child at Home (PDF – MGH Clay Center)What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MGH Clay Center)Disparities in Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions (Pediatrics)Child Psychiatrist on How to Address Suicide Among Black Youth (NowThis News)Calling 988 Can Get You Help During a Mental Health or Substance Abuse Emergency (NECN)Tune in Third Thursdays for new episodes. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Episode produced by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often hear about how stigma can prevent treatment for mental disorders and promote feelings of shame or low self-worth among those struggling. Did you know the same is true for obesity? Obesity is a complex disease, and stigma stems from a misunderstanding of what it is, what contributes, and how it can be treated.Today, we're joined by Angela Fitch, MD, a leader in the field of obesity medicine, to help us learn more about what we can all do to support kids who are struggling with obesity and shift the culture around weight bias. We discuss personal biases, effective treatment, and the mental health toll obesity stigma can take on our kids who need us to step up on this issue.Tune in & share with someone you know.Media ListAngela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA (Obesity Medicine Association)More About Knownwell (Knownwell.co)Consensus Statement on Obesity (The Obesity Society)What Is Body Composition? (WebMD)BMI ≠ Obesity = Excess Adiposity (ConscienHealth)Adipose Tissue (Body Fat) (Cleveland Clinic)Study: BMI Measurements Should Be Tailored to Race and Ethnicity (Verywell Health)Most Food in America is Hyper-Palatable and ‘Difficult to Stop Eating,' Scientists Say (Newsweek)CBT Is Effective for Childhood Obesity (Beck Institute)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, featuring Susan Sprich, PhD (MGH Clay Center)Is Your ADHD Brain Hard-Wired for Weight Gain? (ADDitude Magazine)Headless, Hungry, and Unhealthy: A Video Content Analysis of [Persons With Obesity] Portrayed in Online News (Journal of Health Communication)New guidelines for treating childhood obesity include medications and surgery for first time (NBC News)Weight Bias: People-First Language (Obesity Action Coalition)Digital Media and Body Image (MGH Clay Center)Episode produced by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From challenges with hair pulling to supporting a child through a regression in toilet training, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer real parent questions in this episode. For each question, they offer clinical insight to help parents better understand what might be going on, and suggestions for next steps and ways to support the child. We think all caring adults will be interested in this discussion. Be sure to tune in.Follow along with the media list below, and if this episode sparks another question, write to us! We'll include it in a future episode. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Media ListDr. J. Stuart Ablon: Kids Lack Skills, Not Will to Do Well (YouTube-AccuTrain)Question #1: How to Help With Hair Pulling (01:40)Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) (AACAP)What If My Child Has Obsessive Compuslive Disorder (OCD)? (MGH Clay Center)Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Closer Look (MGH Clay Center)What If My Child Is Prescribed an SSRI? (MGH Clay Center)Question #2: How to Help My Teenager with Avoidance Behaviors at Home and at School (06:15)Anxiety in Our Children: The Role of Avoidance Behavior (National Association for Child Development)School Refusal: When Back-to-School Is a Struggle (MGH Clay Center)CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Phobias (MGH Clay Center)Question #3: Child Can't Stop Touching Things When They Walk Around the House (13:05)Overview: Tics (National Health Service)What If My Child Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? (MGH Clay Center)Question #4: How to Help 5-Year-Old with Potty Training Regression (18:05)Potty Training Regression: What To Do About It (Cleveland Clinic)What Is Collaborative Problem Solving? (Think:Kids)Tips for Dealing with Potty Training Regression (Healthline) Welcome Back (Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter) (YouTube-John Sebastian) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're kicking off 2023 with a special episode of Shrinking It Down featuring *you* our listeners. What questions do you have about the mental health of a child or teen in your life?Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins will answer them on January 19!E-mail your questions: gene@mghclaycenter.orgMessage us your questions: Instagram (instagram.com/mghclaycenter) or Facebook (facebook.com/massgeneralclaycenter)Leave a voice mail with your questions: (617) 643-1590 (press # to skip the message)We'll see you back here on January 19, and the Third Thursday of every month: Be There, or Be Square (TikTok). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do social issues intersect with youth sports? Tune in to this bonus episode of Shrinking It Down, featuring Dr. Jonathan Jenkins of the Sport Psychology Program at Mass General, for a thoughtful conversation on how societal concerns, including systemic racism, continue to impact our all of our young athletes. Media ListJonathan Jenkins, Psy.D, CMPC (LinkedIn)The NBA took a stand against police violence. But a second message quickly became clear (CNN)Our Definition of Social Justice (John Lewis Institute for Social Justice)Dr. Chester Pierce (MGH Global Psychiatry)10 Important Steps for Parenting Young Athletes (MGH Clay Center)Inside the lack of racial diversity in lacrosse (The Daily Orange)Title IX 50 year later: Why female athletes are still fighting for equality (On Point, WBUR) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports can be such a positive space for young people to let off steam, learn important life skills, and build long lasting relationships. There are times, though, when it can be too much, injury strikes, or someone doesn't make the team they were hoping to.Dr. Jonathan Jenkins joins Gene and Khadijah to discuss all things sports psychology and how best to support our young people in an important area of their lives. Whether your child dreams of being a professional or just likes to play for fun, tune in to learn how parents can promote a healthy mindset around sports and physical activity. Media ListFollow along with the conversation. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D CMPC (Ruderman Foundation)Ted Lasso (YouTube)MGH Sport Psychology (Mass General Hospital)Getting to the Finish Line: Will You Choose Endurance or Resilience? (MGH Clay Center)Unorganized Youth Sports Is Missing From Society (T-Ball America)How to Support Youth Athletes When a Sports Injury Derails Their Season (MGH Clay Center)10 Important Steps for Parenting Young Athletes (MGH Clay Center) Massachusetts Role in Making Golf More Inclusive (WCVB)Subscribe and tune in the 3rd Thursday of every month for new episodes. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Episode produced by Bianca DempseyEdited by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Content Warning: This episode contains segments of discussion that may be difficult for some audience members to hear. Content such as descriptions of self-harm methods are included.Self-harm is a rising mental health concern that tends to begin in the teenage years. But what are some of the causes and what can we do to help our kids who are struggling? In this episode, very special guest Dr. Blaise Aguirre of McLean Hospital joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack why some kids engage in self-injury, what some of the warning signs are to look out for, and what parents can do at home to manage if their child is self-harming.View the episode transcript here.Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Blaise Aguirre, MD (McLean Hospital)3East Continuum of Care (McLean Hospital)Dialectical Behavior Therapy – DBT (Cleveland Clinic)'DBT For Dummies' Offers Insights On Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (MSNBC)Brain Changes Found in Self-Injuring Teen Girls (Ohio State University News)Children Who Cut Themselves (MGH Clay Center)Borderline Personality Disorder: A Case of Suffering, Drama and Hope (MGH Clay Center)What If My Child Has OCD? (MGH Clay Center)Low Self-Esteem: Where Does It Come From and What Can Adults Do to Help? (MGH Clay Center)Being an Emotional Sponge (MGH Clay Center)200 Dad Jokes (Men's Health)Episode produced by Bianca DempseyEdited by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Dr. Gene Beresin always says, music is a universal language. To kick off our new podcast season, and in honor of Gene's new book, Music, today we'll look into the ways music can help us heal. Special guest Marisabelle Díaz-Falcón, a board-certified music therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital joins Gene and Khadijah to talk about the ways music therapy helps kids (and adults!) in the hospital. Backed by science, the benefits of music therapy are plentiful, and we're here to give you tips on how to bring some of these benefits home!Media ListFollow along with the conversation. · Marisabelle Díaz-Falcón (MGH)· I feel better when I'm dancing – Meghan Trainor (YouTube)· Music (Arts for Health) (Amazon)· End of Summer Playlist 2022 (MGH Clay Center)· Music Therapy (Mass General for Children)· Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB.org)· Berklee Music Therapy program (Berklee College of Music) · Trauma: What Parents Should Know (MGH Clay Center)· Gate Control Theory of Pain (YouTube)· Just for fun: Gene's Mug (Google) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's nearly time for a new season of Shrinking It Down! Co-hosts Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH have some great mental health topics and great guests in store for you. But until then, Hold On....Beginning October 20, tune in the 3rd Thursday of every month for new episodes. Subscribe wherever you stream. See you soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Content warning: Some of the conversation today includes topics that some listeners may find sensitive including sexuality, gender identity, and violence towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community. What is gender identity? How is it different from sexual orientation? And why are pronouns so important? We talk through all of these questions and more in this week's episode. Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest, Marshall Forstein, MD, DLFAPA, to discuss some of these common terms we are hearing more and more every day and give tips on how to have conversations with your kids about all of these topics. Tune in for one of our favorite episodes yet! Media ListFollow along with the conversation.June is LGBT Pride Month (youth.gov)Reflections on Becoming a Father as a Gay Man (MGH Clay Center)How and why to discuss Juneteenth with your children (The Washington Post)LGBTQ+ Glossary (It Gets Better Project)How To Talk To Your Kids About Internet Pornography (MGH Clay Center)The Impact of Reality TV On Our Teens: What Can Parents Do? (MGH Clay Center)Getting to the Finish Line: Will You Choose Endurance or Resilience? (MGH Clay Center)Supporting Your Child in the Face of Trauma (MGH Clay Center)What is Family Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)Pink Freud & The Transitional Objects - 2020 AACAP Virtual Meeting - YouTube (YouTube) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them. Today's question: How does Schizophrenia affect a young person and their caregivers? Dr. Abigail Donovan Joshi of the Mass General First Episode and Early Psychosis Program joins to help answer. Media ListAbigail Donovan, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital)First-Episode and Early Psychosis Program (Massachusetts General Hospital)What Is Family Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)Psychosis in Children and Teens (MGH Clay Center)What Is the Schizophrenia Spectrum? (VeryWell Health) Tune in to "You Ask, Our Docs Answer!" each Tuesday in May for a short episode. Have a question for our docs? E-mail us or tag us on Instagram! Thank you for all you do to support the young developing minds in your life. It really makes a difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them. Today's question: How do you find out if your teenager has undiagnosed ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?Dr. Gagan Joshi of the Mass General Bressler Cetner for Autism joins to help answer.Media ListGagan Joshi, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital)Alan & Lorraine Bressler Clinical Research Program (Facebook)A Closer Look at High-Functioning Autism, featuring Robyn Thom, MD – Shrinking It Down (MGH Clay Center)Webinar: “Autistic Burnout,” featuring Sue Ann Pien (MGH Aspire on Facebook)Request an Appointment (Bressler Clinical and Research Program)Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (CAR Autism Roadmap)Tune in to "You Ask, Our Docs Answer!" each Tuesday in May for a short episode. Have a question for our docs? E-mail us or tag us on Instagram!Thank you for all you do to support the young developing minds in your life. It really makes a difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We all know that parents and other adults tend to be the last people teenagers want to talk to about their problems. At this stage of life teens are more likely to reach out to friends in times of need. With this in mind, Valerie Grison-Alsop, founded Give Us the Floor, a nonprofit organization that promotes peer support for teens, by teens. Give Us the Floor launched an app that provides a safe, anonymous space for teens to reach out to each other for support, with guidance from trained teen advisors as well as adult advisors. This week, Gene and Khadijah are very pleased to welcome Valerie as a special guest, as well as Julia Esposito, a Junior Adult Advisor and former participant of Give Us the Floor. They talk about the benefits of peer-to-peer support and why their app has been so successful in helping teens improve their mental health and overall well-being. Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Give Us the Floor (Give Us the Floor)Being an Emotional Sponge: Supporting Young People Who Are Supporting Friends (MGH Clay Center)Give Us the Floor FAQs (Give Us the Floor) Helping Others Shows Differential Benefits on Health and Well-being for Male and Female Teens (Springer) There Are All Sorts of Ways of Making Things Better (MGH Clay Center) Massachusetts Actually Has 12 Seasons (americasbestpics.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received several mental health questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them. Tune in to "You Ask, Our Docs Answer!" each Tuesday in May for a short episode answering one of your questions.Today's question: How do you find a therapist for elementary kids with anxiety?Have a question for our docs? E-mail us or tag us on Instagram!Thank you for all you do to support the young developing minds in your life. It really makes a difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received several mental health questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them.Tune in to "You Ask, Our Docs Answer!" each Tuesday in May for a short episode answering one of your questions.Have a question for our docs? E-mail us or tag us on Instagram!And thank you for all you do to support the young developing minds in your life. It really makes a difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The COVID pandemic is like nothing most of us have ever lived through. This is especially true for kids and teens who are still developing mentally and physically. This week we talk with special guest, Annabel Reddick, a high school senior in Davidson, North Carolina about her experience living through the pandemic, and how things are going two years into it. Gene, Khadijah, and Annabel discuss the struggle of remote learning and maintaining relationships, readjusting to school more than a year later, how she and her sister coped, and what she thinks adults should know about teens and mental health. Tune in for a great conversation and to hear a perspective we don't often get but have a lot to learn from. While Annabel's experience is just that of one teen, we believe she discusses some universal truths from her story that highlight issues of mental health for many teens out there. Media ListBirdcage Memoirs: A Teen's Reflections on Living Through the Pandemic (MGH Clay Center) 7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic (MGH Clay Center) Pink Freud & The Transitional Objects - 2020 AACAP Virtual Meeting (YouTube)Woodchuck (imgflip.com) The Problem of Social Anxiety Disorder (MGH Clay Center)What Is ADHD? (MGH Clay Center) What Is Resilience? (MGH Clay Center) Clay Center Conversation Starters (YouTube) Why we're all getting to know ourselves a little better in quarantine (LA Times)How to Play the Ukulele (YouTube) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At what point are we pushing our young athletes too hard? We all watched 15-year-old Russian Olympic skater, Kamila Valieva, exit the ice in tears after a doping scandal. Where did the adults in her life fail her? What can be done to make sure situations like this don't happen again?These are the questions Gene and Khadijah try to answer this week, with the help of former competitive skater turned child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Mai Uchida, MD.Dr. Uchida is passionate about supporting youth athlete mental health and has written about Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, and interviewed Mirai Nagasu. This week, she shares her perspective and ideas of how to move the athletic world in a healthier direction for our young people.Media List:Figure Skating's Identity Crisis: Supporting Our Young Athletes (MGH Clay Center)Naomi Osaka - Shining Light on Athlete Mental Health (MGH Clay Center)Simone Biles - Choosing Mental Health Over Defending Olympic Gold (MGH Clay Center)Chapter 1: Teen Champion (A Mental Health Conversation With Mirai Nagasu) (Youtube)What If My Child Is Prescribed an SSRI? (MGH Clay Center)Is age 27 the new 18? - Shrinking It Down (MGH Clay Center) Stop Asking Why America Doesn't Win Olympic Medals in Women's-Singles Skating (The Cut)How victims like the US gymnasts move forward after years of sexual abuse (ABC News)10 Important Steps for Parenting Young Athletes (MGH Clay Center)Ted Lasso Season 1 Trailer (Youtube) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Low self-esteem gets all of us down at one point or another. For kids, the goal is to help build them back up. Lots of things can lower our kids' self-esteem like body image, cyberbullying, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and surprisingly, guilt (along with lots of other things!).This week, Gene and Khadijah break down the ways that we can help our kids elevate their self-esteem and their sense of worth. From giving positive feedback to creating a sense of competency, there are plenty of things parents – and other caring adults – can do to help their kids. If this is something you think your child might be struggling with, tune in below. Media List‘Snow potentially in April': Massachusetts spring forecast predicts winter setbacks (Boston Herald)‘They draw bombs, tanks and wishes for peach': Ukraine's child mental health crisis (The Guardian)Low Self-Esteem: Where does it come from and what can adults do to help? (MGH Clay Center)Trauma: What Parents Should Know (MGH Clay Center)Ways to emotionally support your teen in responding to racism (MGH Clay Center)Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (CDC) Digital Media and Body Image (MGH Clay Center)R *** REFRAME (Instagram – MGH Clay Center)What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (MGH Clay Center)Learning + Attention Issues (MGH Clay Center)Random Acts of Kindness (Instagram – MGH Clay Center) Why gardening is good for your mental wellbeing (Thrive)How long do betta fish live as pets? (Pets WebMD) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The crisis in Ukraine feels to many like the straw that broke the camel's back. Between the COVID pandemic, police brutality, the climate crisis, and now the war in Ukraine, the world may feel increasingly unsafe. Very young children, though, actually respond more to their adults' distress than to the tragic events themselves. That said, repeated media exposure of horrific events can sometimes lead to PTSD in kids who do not experience the tragedies themselves.This week, Gene and Khadijah discuss the important work of protecting our young people from the very real conflict they are witnessing in the media, and hearing about at school and at home. Whether you have friends and family in Ukraine, know someone who does, or are simply a concerned global citizen, this week's episode covers how to help kids of all ages manage the devastation, while taking care of yourself, too.Tune in for this pressing episode. We hope that our conversation will help you to have yours.Have more questions about how to handle your young people and military conflict? Write to us!Media ListHow to talk to kids about Ukraine (AP News)CODA - Trailer (Youtube)The Power of the Dog - Trailer (Youtube)DOG - Trailer (Youtube)Prioritizing Parent Mental Health (MGH Clay Center – YouTube)Helping Your Kids in the Face of Terrorism or War (MGH Clay Center)Should the TV Be On or Off During Times of Breaking News? (MGH Clay Center)Media exposure and sympathetic nervous system reactivity predict PTSD symptoms after the Boston Marathon bombings (Depression and Anxiety)Self-Care for Resilience – Resources (MGH Clay Center)Turning to Gratitude – Conversation Starters (MGH Clay Center – YouTube)What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)Should kids get a snow day? (The Weather Channel – YouTube)The Art of Civil Conversations: 9 Parent Strategies (MGH Clay Center)‘I have family there': What Americans with loved ones in Ukraine want you to know (Today)Episode Produced by Bianca DempseyEdited by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turning on TV, opening a magazine, or going on our phones these days, kids are overwhelmed with images showing us what we should look like. Even on “reality” TV, none of the people look like your average person. With all of these images circulating in our everyday lives, it is easy for any of us to get caught up and judge our own bodies, but especially young people who soak these images in and can internalize these “ideals”.Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Dr. Holly Peek, Assistant Medical Director of the Klarman Eating Disorders Center at McLean Hospital, and former Miss New Orleans, to talk about body image and the ways in which it can affect self-esteem. They also touch on how boys are often left out of this conversation, how media and Hollywood impacts body image, the importance of nutrition, and how parents can help young people cultivate a positive body image for themselves.Tune in for this timely episode. We hope that our conversation will help you to have yours. Media List:· Dr. Holly Peek, MD, MPH (McLean Hospital) · Paw House Inn (Paw House Inn) · National Love Your Pet Day (Instagram)· How To Talk To Children About the Russian Invasion of Ukraine (AP News)· Digital Media and Body Image (MGH Clay Center)· Relationship Woes: Helping Your Child Break Up With Junk Food Without Harming Their Mental Health (MGH Clay Center)· The Impact of Reality TV On Our Teens: What Can Parents Do? (MGH Clay Center)· Super Bowl Halftime Show 2022 (YouTube)· Media and Eating Disorders in Fiji: Interview with Anne E. Becker, MD (WebsEdgeMedicine – YouTube) (MGH Clay Center) - https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/digital-media-eating-disorders/· How to Make a Vision Board That Works in 9 Simple Steps (Artful Parent) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our recent conversation with Dr. John Kelly of the MGH Recovery Research Institute reinforced even more how important it is to start talking with young people about about alcohol use and it's possible problems, early on. Let us help you get started! From child & adolescent psychiatrist Gene Beresin, MD, MA, here are a few ways to open to door to this ongoing conversation with your grade-school child or middle schooler. If you missed our last episode on alcohol and adolescents, tune in here!We hope that our conversation helps you to have yours. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Did you know that 3 out of 4 addiction cases in the U.S. are alcohol addictions, and that kids who start drinking before age 15 are significantly more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than those who wait? Alcohol causes more deaths each year than all other drugs combined, including around 5,000 deaths to children under age 21. Yet, culturally, we don't tend to think of alcohol as a serious psychoactive drug that causes intoxication, toxicity, and addiction.Today, Gene and Khadijah talk about alcohol, adolescents, and what parents should know. To help make sense of it all, they are joined by very special guest, Dr. John Kelly, program director for Mass General's Recovery Research Institute. Dr. Kelly walks us through how alcohol exposure affects the developing teen brain, how it can lead to other negative health outcomes, including cancer, substance use trends during Covid, and signs to look for you in your child if you're concerned.Please tune in for this special episode. We hope that our conversation will help you to have yours.Have a question about alcohol and adolescents? Write to us!Media ListJohn Kelly, PhD, ABPP (Recovery Research Institute)Tell Me No Lies (Anything But The Truth)In The News (MGH Clay Center)Impact: What is the impact of Addiction? (Recovery Research Institute)Five things you may not know about alcohol, the most commonly used drug in the world (Recovery Research Institute)Cannabis and the Teen Brain, featuring Jodi Gilman, PhD (MGH Clay Center)Percentage of adolescents reporting drug use decreased significantly in 2021 as Covid pandemic endured (Mirage.News)Alcohol use by college students falls during pandemic, but marijuana use increases (The Nation's Health)Media Literacy and Mental Health, featuring Common Sense Media (MGH Clay Center)Another COVID-19 Fallout: Teens' Happy Hour With Parents (Journal of the American Medical Association)There is life after addiction. Most people recover (NPR)Should My Child See a Therapist? (YouTube – MGH Clay Center)Pathways to Recovery (Recovery Research Institute)Episode produced by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

COVID-19. We can't seem to escape it no matter where we turn, even in our own homes. All of us – caregivers and young people, alike – are experiencing feelings of fear, frustration, and anger as we balance trying to stay safe and trying to move on with our lives. It's mentally and emotionally draining.How do we keep going? That's what Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins talk about today. Ways to manage our strong emotions in a healthy, sustainable way. They explore why emotions like anger and fear arise, and share concrete tips for responding to the COVID-19 challenges families are facing – including ever-changing news and protocols, and internal family conflict.Thanks for tuning in! We hope our conversation will help you to have yours. Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Prioritizing Parent Mental Health (JED Foundation / MGH Clay Center)Yes, All this COVID-Related News Is Incredibly Exhausting—25 Therapists Explain How They're Coping (Parade)The Power of Music: To Feel, Heal, and Connect (MGH Clay Center)COVID Parenting Has Passed the Point of Absurdity (The Atlantic)7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic (MGH Clay Center)The science of anger. (How It Works)Is Age 27 the New 18? – Shrinking It Down (MGH Clay Center)Anger Management: How to Help You and Your Kids Stay in Control (MGH Clay Center)Belushi Demands Cold Open – (YouTube – Saturday Night Live)Teens, on how they use humor (BeMe on Twitter)The Positive Value of Conflict: There's Great Power in Resolution (MGH Clay Center)Happy Birthday, Gene! (Instagram – MGH Clay Center)Episode produced by Sara RattiganMusic by Gene Beresin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If your child is struggling to go to school and regularly wanting to stay home, it's important to learn more about what's making things so hard for them. Talking about it can help. Here are a couple ways to start a conversation with your child or teen, from child & adolescent psychiatrist Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH.If you missed Khadijah and Gene's full discussion about school refusal, tune in here!We hope that our conversation helps you to have yours. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Does your child get stomach aches at the thought of going to school? Does your younger child throw temper tantrums? Does your teenager spend all day in the school counselor's office, or even refuse to leave the home? When kids struggle to go to school, it can be a really challenging situation. And since the pandemic, child psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins are hearing more concerns about this kind of behavior from the parents they work with.Today, Gene and Khadijah talk through school refusal: what it is, how to recognize signs in your child, and how to help. School refusal is very treatable! But getting to the root cause and responding quickly is key. Tune in for more!Plus, Gene shares the Clay Center's 2022 word of the year…We hope that our conversation will help you to have yours. Have a question or comment? Write to us!Media ListFollow along with the conversation. School Refusal: When Back-to-School Is a Struggle (MGH Clay Center)Our Word of the Year (Instagram - MGH Clay Center)Building Mental Wellness in Children: What Parents Can Do (MGH Clay Center)What to say when your child doesn't want to go to school (Understood.org)What If My Child Has an Anxiety Disorder? (MGH Clay Center)How to Understand Your Child's “Anxiety Monster” (MGH Clay Center) Helping Kids Through New School Transitions (MGH Clay Center)How to Help Young People Cope With Grief and Loss During COVID-19 (MGH Clay Center)Learning + Attention Issues, Topic Page (MGH Clay Center)The Impact of Divorce (MGH Clay Center)Creating Meaningful Conversation (The Family Dinner Project)Your Child's Mental Health: What to Discuss During a Doctor Visit (Project TEACH)Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we lead into a New Year, we wish you and your loved ones physical and mental wellness. It has been a challenging two years, with more challenges to come. But together, we can manage this. So for tonight, unwind a bit if you can, draw strength from memories past, and look forward to a new year with new beginnings.Thank you for all you do to support the young people in your life. It really makes a difference.Auld Lang Syne (traditional Scottish folk song)Musicians Gene Beresin and Jim MayerArranged by Gene BeresinPoem by Robert Burns, 1788English Lyrics:Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?Should old acquaintance be forgot,and old lang syne?CHORUS:For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We'll take a cup of kindness yet,For auld lang syne.And surely you'll buy your pint cup!And surely I'll buy mine!And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne.CHORUSWe two have run about the slopes,And picked the daisies fine;But we've wandered many a weary foot,Since auld lang syne.CHORUSWe two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine;But seas between us broad have roaredsince auld lang syne.CHORUSAnd there's a hand my trusty friend!And give me a hand o' thine!And we'll take a right good-will draught,For auld lang syne.CHORUS See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mindfully enjoying the things we look forward to during the holidays is a great way for families to lessen stress and support well-being. What are Gene and Khadijah's favorite things about the holiday season? Tune in!From all of us at the MGH Clay Center, we wish you a wonderful holiday season. May your minds be merry and bright. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.