Cartwheel’s Post

Working with children and young people, particularly those who have experienced maltreatment, presents a unique set of challenges. Unexpected behaviors like sudden tantrums, unexplained withdrawal, or outbursts of aggression can leave parents, educators, and other professionals feeling confused and frustrated. The Iceberg Model offers a powerful framework to illuminate the hidden depths that drive these behaviors. Imagine an iceberg, where the visible tip represents the behavior we see – the tantrum, the withdrawal, the aggression. The Iceberg Model encourages us to look beyond this "tip" and explore the vast, unseen part submerged beneath the water's surface. Here lie the emotional causes, the fears, and the unmet needs that are truly driving the behavior. This valuable resource, while written with parents and caregivers in mind, offers insights that extend far beyond the home environment. It provides 19 informative fact sheets, each focusing on a specific behavior commonly seen in children and young people who have experienced maltreatment. Through the lens of the Iceberg Model, these fact sheets delve into the emotional currents that might be triggering these behaviors. By equipping ourselves with this deeper understanding, all professionals working with children and young people can approach challenging behaviors with a sense of empathy and support. This resource empowers you to navigate these situations effectively, gaining valuable knowledge to help children develop healthier coping mechanisms, build stronger relationships, and ultimately, heal from their past experiences. PDF Link: https://lnkd.in/eMtNqGGj

In the 2021 Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey findings, found on Nevada Tomorrow, states that a staggering 46.1% of high school students in Nevada were found to endure persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, for more than two weeks at a time. These numbers underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support systems, including mental health resources, counseling services, and community programs, to help our youth navigate these difficult emotions. Ensuring that teens have access to the support they need is crucial for fostering a healthier, more hopeful future for all. The Children's Cabinet offers a range of free family counseling services where their therapists address a number of concerns and work with parents and their children to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and tackle challenges together. For further insights into crucial data points like these, visit Nevada Tomorrow. [LINK] https://lnkd.in/d4ShAaK

Parents and teachers -- it's almost time to head back to school. That means shifting schedules, shorter days and added stress. And even though I am not a parent, I am here to tell you that kids see, hear, feel, and remember more than you think they might. If you are not familiar with adverse childhood experiences or the ACE Study (ACE scores range from 0-10), I encourage you to take a read. I wrote this article within my first two years working at Children's Hospital. I was completely unfamiliar with trauma and the permanent mark it leaves on our bodies and brains. 🧠 Key Points: 1️⃣ Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) is the term given to describe all types of abuse, neglect or other traumatic experiences that occur in anyone under age 18. 2️⃣ Children with four or more ACEs are 32x more likely to be labeled with a behavioral or cognitive problem than a child with no ACEs. People with high ACE scores (5 or above) have an increased risk of cancer as an adult. 📌 If you take nothing else from this, please take 15 minutes this week to watch Dr. Nadine Burke Harris' TED talk on this subject: https://lnkd.in/gDP_gmGK. https://lnkd.in/gn-qEfAa

Join Brenda J. Weaver, MA, CPRP, for “Meeting in the Middle – Bridging, Brokering, Becoming Adult, A TCM Service Guide.” 4/24/24 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET LIVE WEBINAR Transitional aged youth (TAY), a demographic spanning ages 15–25, are experiencing a human developmental stage that encompasses the time between being a child and becoming an adult. This unique group of individuals who, according to a national youth mental health survey, “lack developmentally appropriate connections and experience limited to no meaningful preparation or guidance for adulthood” (WHO, 2020), are least likely to seek or acknowledge a need for help and more likely than any other age group to experience isolation, barriers to access and service gaps. This web-based training integrates case management technology with current youth-centered perspectives and evidenced practices into tips and tools that help practitioners and youth survive and thrive, leaving them able to plan, navigate and access meaningful transition-to-adult-life sensibilities, skills, services and supports. Register on the BHE website: drexel.edu/medicine/bhe

It is encouraging to see that high school girls’ mental health is improving. In a recent study the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionfound improvements in almost every category of its mental health focus areas. However, young women are still disproportionately affected by feelings of loneliness – as seen in our Belonging Barometer research – and there is still much to be done to ensure they are adequately supported through their key development stages. Concerningly, the CDC found that high school boys are not experiencing the same improvement, with the numbers of those who seriously considered ending their own life increasing from 18% to 19% between 2021 and 2023. https://lnkd.in/gjANh5PE

Each year, one in 15 high school students will report a suicide attempt. For every report, 53 of these will cause serious enough injury to warrant medical attention. This staggering data may seem like numbers on a page when viewed in reports or even here on this blog. However, it is much more than that. Landmarks for Families supports South Carolina’s youth and families through life’s trials and transitions, acting as a place where children can recover from trauma and abuse, find support for mental health, and prepare for a more hopeful future. We believe in meeting clients where they are through on-campus and in-home programs and resources, including our L.Y.G.H.T. Program. To learn more about how Landmarks for Families can help, please click here: https://loom.ly/SFoVXRw

Each year on May 7th, the U.S. recognizes National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This day gives our country the opportunity to shine light on children and youth who are impacted by mental health challenges. The theme for 2024 is "Lighting the Path to Social Justice for Children and Youth.” What is social justice? Social justice is - in a nutshell - ensuring that all members of a community feel safe and accepted. It means creating an equitable environment by addressing systemic inequalities and injustices based on factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Evidence shows that children living in impoverished communities are at greater risk of developing mental health disorders later in life. It can be difficult for high-risk children to get the help they need due to negative stigma and limited healthcare access in their community. Additionally, a lack of awareness can prevent caregivers from recognizing the first signs of mental health issues in children, or may underestimate their severity. When we see young patients in our clinic, we ensure that we provide a safe space for them to express their emotions and concerns, and give them appropriate support and treatment tailored to their needs. This day should inspire all of us to not only raise awareness, but emphasize the importance of acceptance of mental health challenges in children. With acceptance comes more advocacy and action to change attitudes, behaviors, and systems. Acceptance is a crucial first step on the path to social justice for children and youth. Make sure you are frequently checking in on the kids in your community and reminding others to do the same! Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not meant to give you medical advice as it does not replace a provider client relationship. #children #childrenmentalhealth #childrenmentalhealthawareness #childrenmentalhealthmatters

We continue to see ED Boarding for MH crisis in Colorado as well as many other states. Listen below to Dr. Liaw on CPR Colorado Matters discussing youth mental health boarding crisis, workforce, and more. How can we reimagine care for youth needing a higher acuity of care for mental health? What is your state doing? What is going well? What innovations should be nationwide?

In today's 'Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives' with WFSB TV, we revisit the topic of anxiety with David Barringer, LCSW, this time focused on how to help children and adolescents. https://lnkd.in/ewCxt7np

As parents and caregivers it's crucial to be aware of the signs that may indicate a child's struggles. Look out for changes in behavior like moodiness or irritability. If they start withdrawing from activities or social interactions it could be a red flag. Frequent illnesses might also indicate underlying stress or emotional issues. Finally poor academic performance could be a sign that they need extra support. By recognizing these signs early on we are better equipped to provide the help and support our children need.