I had the pleasure of giving a talk entitled ‘Youth Mental Health: A Caregiver’s Guide’ yesterday at the Law Society of Upper Canada here in Toronto, ON, Canada. It was a wonderful group of people who had great questions, and it was amazing to speak about statistics in youth mental health, and some things that …
The end of the school year is upon us, and brings with it the mad rush to complete summative assignments and prepare for final exams. Writing exams can increase anxiety, and can be especially challenging for individuals with performance anxiety. Some adolescents may find listening to a relaxation exercise helpful. This one is geared specifically …
When a child has difficulties with attention, we often start to notice these difficulties as they enter school. Sometimes the teacher will bring to a parent’s attention that their child is having trouble sitting still during circle time, focusing on a task, or following instructions. It is important to distinguish between what is developmentally appropriate, …
It is that time of year again – school is about to start. Summer has gone by, and the kids may not want it to end. Often, the thought of heading back to school can heighten anxiety, both in children and parents. Getting the new school year off to a good start can be important …
There are a number of ways to help you relax and reduce feelings of tension or stress in your body. When engaging in therapy for mental health issues, practicing relaxation and learning to control feelings of tension or stress in your mind and body are often important steps to master. Some people may find doing …
Bullying has been in the news a lot in the past few years, and books, articles and movies have tried to help us better understand what happens when kids bully or are the victims of bullying. There has also been a lot of material developed for parents, teachers and other adults to help stop bullying. …
The attachment between children and their caregivers has been studied for many years. Theories have been developed about attachment styles, parenting techniques that foster secure attachment, and the effects on social development. Dr. Daniel Siegel, a child and adolescent psychiatrist from UCLA, has written a number of books on early child development. He states that …
Mental health is an area that is easily neglected, and feelings of burn out in jobs and family life are all too common in today’s world. Learning to take care of yourself and monitor your mental health is something that can start at an early age. IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova …