Today marks National Stop Bullying Day, and here’s a story that showed how some stand-up students stood up against bullying in their school. A few years back, members of a Wisconsin middle school basketball team were lauded as heroes, and rightfully so. When the boys noticed some bullies making fun of one of their cheerleaders—a 14-year-old girl named Desiree who has Down’s Syndrome—they took action, walking over to the bleachers...
With about 50% of marriages ending in divorce, the number of children and teens who experience their parents’ separation is huge. And, while divorce doesn’t have the same stigma it did years ago, it still can be a very difficult event in a young person’s life. “The dissolution of their parents’ marriage can create enormous stress for youngsters,” says Elissa Smilowitz, LCSWR and Coordinator of Triage & Emergency Services at North...
Do you have a child or teen who is obese? If so, they are not alone. In the United States, the percentage of children and teens who are obese has more than tripled since the 1970s. Today, nearly 1 in 5 school age U.S. children and young people (6 to 19 years) is considered obese. When you factor in those who are considered overweight but not yet obese, the figure...
On the days following the attacks of 9/11, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center responded to the crisis by offering counselling and support to bereaved children and families all across Long Island and in New York City. Following is the reflection of Executive Director Andrew Malekoff on the memorial service at the World Trade Center on October 28, 2001, which he attended with a group of mental health workers...
September marks the start of another new school year and, for football diehards, it’s also the kickoff to a new season. The flowing together of the two brings to mind the moving story of former Florida State University (FSU) wide receiver Travis Rudolph and Bo Paske, a sixth grade boy with autism. At the start of the school year in 2016, Rudolph and several teammates visited Montford Middle School in...
Seeing grandparents walking hand in hand with their grandchildren is a heartwarming sight. But our usual assumptions about the relationship may be inaccurate. While we tend to believe that the grandparents are probably spending a few hours babysitting the kids, more and more are the primary caregivers, with their grandchildren as their full-time responsibility. A July 2018 research update from the Butler Center for Research cites the most recent figures available...
Curing the Kindergarten Jitters It’s National Get Ready for Kindergarten month. If you’re a parent with a child who is about to head to “big kid” school for the first time, you may be faced with an anxious little one—plus you may have some jitters yourself! According to Dr. Sue Cohen, Director of Early Childhood and Psychological Services at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, starting a new school can be...
When you have a child or teen who is experiencing depression, anxiety, substance use or any other condition impacting their mental health, it’s often hard to find the time to take care of your own needs. But it’s extremely important that you don’t let guilt or shame stop you from focusing on your physical and emotional health. “Many parents or other caretakers think that they should put all of their energy...
Although we’re in the so-called “dog days” of summer, there is still plenty of time to bring your kids outside to get a healthy dose of sunshine. And autumn, just around the corner, is also a perfect season to explore the outdoors with your kids. Studies reveal many benefits of making nature a central part of your child’s world. Among them: an increase in self-esteem and resilience against stress, depression and...
Just a few months after celebrating six years of sobriety, singer Demi Lovato recently relapsed, overdosing on drugs, possibly opioids. As of this writing, she is hospitalized and, though expected to make a full recovery, still in serious condition. The misuse of prescription medications such opioids has been a top concern for parents in recent years. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, prescription drugs are misused and...