As healthcare providers dedicated to the well-being of children and families, collectively we sit with feelings of anguish and disbelief at the recent violent events in the national spotlight. We know that children are aware, listening and watching closely. They may experience sadness, anxiety, grief, helplessness or anger. The way in which adults in a […]
Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents was already on the rise pre-pandemic, however a new analysis by the Center for Disease Control found that rates accelerated during the pandemic with an increase in obesity rates from 19% to about 22%. The rise in obesity is especially prevalent among preschool and school-aged children due to widespread […]
This month we turn our attention towards teen dating violence (TDV) as an important public health topic with long-term impacts into adulthood. Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Adults who report sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime are likely to have experienced these or other forms […]
Adolescent Substance Misuse remains an important concern in our country. For many young people, the risk factors leading to substance use were magnified during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to have an impact on their biopsychosocial development. Social isolation, breaks in school connection, increased parental substance misuse and family stress […]
Perinatal Depression is one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth (CDC, 2018). However, did you know that suicide and overdose combined are the leading cause of death for women in the first year postpartum (Davis, 2019)? Often suicide is the result of unrecognized and untreated mental health conditions. For this reason, […]
The transition back to the classroom for children and back to the workplace for many parents is underway. This presents another major adjustment from what has become the new normal resulting in a variety of reactions including relief as well as increased family stress and mental health difficulties. Remember, while this time of year can […]
Insomnia is a common issue in children and adolescents in primary care settings. Given the difficulties associated with poor sleep, parents often ask providers for rapid solutions. As a result, one of the most prescribed medications is the antihistamine hydroxyzine. Yet randomized control data in children is lacking. There is no clinical efficacy, safety, or […]
PTSD events It is estimated that one in four children will suffer a traumatic event before adulthood. This includes exposure to death, injury, violence, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, natural disasters, divorce, or separation from parents or caregivers. The occurrence(s) can be directly experienced, a witnessed event, news that a traumatic event happened to a significant other, […]
Earlier this month, we addressed the importance of primary care providers supporting the mental health of youth and families. As more adults, children, and adolescents become vaccinated, minimizing the exposure to the COVID-19 virus is within reach. However, the pandemic’s impact on pediatric mental health will likely last for months and even years for vulnerable […]
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) created the You Are Not Alone campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May to promote the importance of recognizing and talking about mental health. This month, we want to remind you that you are not alone in tackling the complexities associated with caring for patients experiencing mental health issues. […]
