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A Reflection for Mental Health Awareness Month
As we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s essential to shine a spotlight on the significance of taking care of our emotional well-being, no matter where we are in life. Did you know approximately 1 in 5 adults (20%) will experience a mental illness this year? And that doesn’t include statistics about our children and youth’s mental health. Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions, only around 43% of adults with mental illness receive help, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support for mental health. The Importance of Self-Care Life can get pretty hectic sometimes, right? Between work, family, and everything else on our plates, it’s easy to…
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Understanding and Managing Child Anxiety
Anxiety among kids is becoming more and more widespread. It has serious consequences for their development and wellbeing. Thus, it’s essential to identify the signs of anxiety as well as comprehend its root causes. In this article we will focus on how child anxiety can influence children from early childhood up until adolescence. We will discuss the signs of anxiety in kids, what could be causing it and how to help them cope better. Understanding Child Anxiety and Its Triggers It’s completely normal for kids to have some fears during their childhood. However, when those anxieties become too intense, they can cause serious emotional problems and should be addressed right…
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5 Tips to Reduce Summer Stress
Summer can be a fun time for children and families, but it can also be stressful when kids are out of school. Summers are supposed to be about vacation, water sports, ice cream, and other fun outdoor activities with your children and family. However, when routines are disrupted, and kids become bored it can lead to a more stressful experience. Parents must find their children activities to engage in or find somewhere for their children to go. Summer activities can be hard to find and very expensive. This can all lead to an increase in stress for the entire family. Here are some ways to deal with summer stress when…
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How to Support a Child’s Mental Health
A child’s mental health is often not considered, especially with very young children. In reality, though, children of all ages can struggle with mental health issues. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 years has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder (17.4%). ADHD, depression, and anxiety are common areas of concern seen in children aged 3-17 years. With proper knowledge, we can learn how to support a child’s mental health. What Does Positive Mental Health Look Like? Learning and implementing effective coping skills for challenging behaviors influences positive mental health. Having a toolbox of coping skills can help your child function better at home and at school.…
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5 Ways to Support Children with ADHD
Does your child have ADHD? Do you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed trying to connect and communicate with your ADHD child? You are not alone. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is very common in children. Children with ADHD can have difficulty paying attention and concentrating. They can also be hyperactive or impulsive. While some children cope well with their symptoms, other children have more difficulty. Here are five ways you can support children with ADHD. Create a Schedule Making a schedule and sticking to it may seem impossible for busy parents. Creating a schedule, though, can make your child’s day organized and predictable. Parents can begin by slowly integrating…
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4 Strategies to Help Reduce Test Anxiety
From LEAP testing to taking the ACT or final exams, testing will be in full swing as we draw closer to the end of the school year. During times of testing, anxiety levels for students and teachers can increase. It’s stressful for students who want to do well and teachers who want their students to be able to show mastery of concepts they’ve been working on all year with their students. If your child begins to have test anxiety, here are a few strategies that might help them feel a little less anxious. 1. Put the Test in Perspective The first thing to do is to help your child put…
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Help Kids Cope During Quarantine
Children are experiencing many different feelings during quarantine. Some may be worried about their safety, they may miss their friends, or they may just be sad they can’t do some of the things they used to do. Here are some ways to help kids cope during quarantine. Christy Pennison, LPC-S, and her furry friend Waldo the Walrus with Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting wanted to help kids identify how they feel, teach them coping skills to manage their feelings, and help them learn ways to shift their thoughts to what is going right instead of what they may be missing. In this four-part, interactive video series, we talk with kids…
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Talking with Your Child About Coronavirus
News about coronavirus (COVID-19) is everywhere. It’s on the news, social media, and even talked about at your local neighborhood grocery store. Chances are your child already knows about coronavirus. They’ve heard it from a teacher at school, on the playground, or from a close friend or family member. With so much information going around, it’s important to not be afraid of talking with your child about coronavirus. Don’t be afraid to start the conversation As a parent, you are the most reputable source of information according to your children. Therefore, it’s important to have an honest dialogue with your child to provide information at an age appropriate level. You…
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5 Calming Strategies for Any Age
Learning to calm and relax your body and mind is something we can all benefit from. Sometimes dealing with heightened emotions can leave our bodies and minds on edge. However, finding ways to relax can help us learn ways to regain control of our emotions and refocus our thoughts to the present moment. When feeling stressed or overwhelmed, there are two things to focus on: relaxing the body and calming the mind. Here are 5 calming strategies I have found beneficial. Take deep breaths The whole of our being is connected to our breath. In fact, breathing is essential to life. It is also the first thing to speed up…
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Does My Child Need Counseling?
When you see your child struggling, it can be hard to know what to do as a parent. In those moments you may wonder, “Are they going through a phase or is this something more?” Most of the time it’s not always clear as to what is going on or what you should do, leaving you with the question, “Does my child or teen need counseling?” There is no parenting manual I often ask parents when they come into my office if they ever received the manual on how to deal with all the challenges parenting throws their way. Out of the hundreds of parents I’ve asked over the course…
