The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative’s Post

Dr. Ranak Trivedi, PhD, and CARE Director of Caregiving and Social Systems, has recently been selected to serve on American Psychological Association’s Committee on Aging starting this coming January. The goal of the Committee on Aging (CONA) is to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting human welfare by ensuring that older adults, especially the growing numbers of older women and minorities, receive the attention of the Association. CONA works toward the optimal development of older adults, expanded scientific understanding of adult development and aging, and the delivery of appropriate psychological services to older persons. To learn more about CONA, read here: https://lnkd.in/gZWZWbsJ #Aging #Caregiving #psychology #research #education #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation #Asianhealth

Check out this article! Parental stress and worry is an actual thing, so much so that the U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory. Too often, parents hear comments like "oh, its fine, they are just kids" or "it will pass" or "you signed up for this." when seeking support or venting about parenting struggles. This can look so different for so many people. Please, seek help and support if you are feeling overwhelmed. #mentalhealthmatters #parentingishard #normalize #itsoknottobeok #kids #parenting https://lnkd.in/gFZanQ4K

Are we, as parents, burning ourselves out? Great article reflecting on the Surgeon General's advisory on the mental and well-being of parents, talks about "intensive parenting" where parents carefully cultivate their children's futures through everyday activities. The US school system is not made for working parents. The exorbitant costs of early childcare and preschools often make it more appealing for one parent to stay home with kids. Once kids are school-aged, classes end at 3 pm, and summer breaks are weeks long. All of this requires additional money and time from parents. That said, I appreciate the perspective of one commenter saying that this is an upper-middle-class problem. When you don't have the means you focus on kids' health/safety/education, and let go of all the unimportant things. As I re-enter the workforce full-time, my takeaway is that I will need to focus on what's most important and give myself the grace that not everything will get done. But if my kids are healthy, safety, and getting a good education, then I'm winning 🏆 #parenting #workingparents

My mind is blown. This is crucial research for any company’s future. And I quote…. “The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health and future of society. Better supporting parents will require policy changes and expanded community programs that will help ensure parents and caregivers can get paid time off to be with a sick child, secure affordable child care, access reliable mental health care, and benefit from places and initiatives that support social connection and community. This Surgeon General’s Advisory calls for a shift in culture, policies, and programs to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive. The American public can do more to support parents and caregivers by shifting norms to foster a culture that values, supports, and empowers parents/caregivers and addresses stressors that can impact their mental health and well-being. This Advisory builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s critical steps to ensure families have the support they need, pushing for increased access to paid family leave, improving early childhood education and childcare, and delivering historic investments in mental health care.” For the full article: https://lnkd.in/eDrkSN25 #changethenorm #investinthefuture #parenting #tgestruggleisreal

WHO CARES ABOUT CARE LEAVERS? A study by the UCL highlighting the "corrosive effect of cumulative socio-economic disadvantage in undermining children's attainment". The key findings were that: 1. "Overall, care-experienced mothers suffered multiple disadvantages"; and that 2. "There is strong evidence that trauma associated with care experience is passed from care leavers to their children, with mental health scars very evident in this group." #careleavers #careprofessional #fosterchildren #mentalhealth #mothers #childprotection #ucl #study

The theory of the "good enough mother," introduced by British pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott in 1953, posits that mothers do not need to be perfect to raise healthy children. Instead, a "good enough mother" is one who meets her child's needs adequately while allowing for manageable failures. This approach emphasizes that children benefit from experiencing small frustrations and disappointments, which prepare them for the realities of life. By not responding to every cry or need immediately, mothers help their children develop resilience and an understanding that the world does not revolve around them. This gradual shift from constant care to allowing some independence fosters a child's ability to cope with challenges and navigate social interactions effectively. #GoodEnoughMother #Parenting101 #ChildDevelopment #ResilientParenting #MotherhoodJourney #PsychologyOfParenting #HealthyChildhood #ParentingInsights #EmbracingImperfection #RaisingResilientKids #PsychotherapyDublin #Therapydublin #PsychotherapydublinIreland

School's out, the sun's out, and the kiddos don't have a care in the world! That's a good thing, right? Maybe for the kids, but for the parents, the lack of structure can be very stressful. In fact, According to Meagan Gerchen MSW, LCSW in one of our recent blog posts, "Humans thrive on structure..." In this article she offers 5 practical tips parents can do to provide structure for their children and reduce stress for the family. #mentalhealthmatters💚 https://lnkd.in/gfjy3zu2

Practical ways parents/caregivers can use to build identity and self image.

As a passionate advocate for child health and a dedicated twin mom, I'm continually intrigued by the profound influence of emotional intelligence (EQ) in shaping our children's futures. In a recent TED Talk, I was reminded of the critical importance of EQ, often overshadowed by the emphasis on IQ. Yet, it's EQ that lays the foundation for a child's sense of safety and eventual success in life. From the moment a child is born, their brain is primed to seek security and connection. As parents and caregivers, it's our responsibility to provide the nurturing care and emotional support that fosters this sense of safety. Skin-to-skin contact, timely responses to their needs, and loving interactions all play a pivotal role in shaping a child's psychosocial development and building trust in the world around them. It's truly remarkable how every interaction with our children leaves an indelible mark on their journey through life. The first three years are particularly crucial, setting the stage for their emotional well-being and resilience in the face of future challenges. As healthcare professionals and caregivers, we must prioritize the emotional health of our children. By cultivating EQ, we lay the groundwork for strong mental and physical health outcomes. After all, the well-being of every child is intricately connected to the health of our planet and the future of society. Let's join hands to nurture the emotional intelligence of our children, one loving interaction at a time. Together, we can build a brighter and more compassionate world for generations to come. #emotionalhealth #emotionalintelligence #childdevelopment #childhealth #parenting #momlife #mentalhealth #childpsychology #childrensmentalhealth #parentingtips #newborn #infantmentalhealth #childmentalhealth

The Surgeon General’s latest advisory on parental stress should really resonate with working parents. Across the social and economic spectrum, there’s a shared understanding that the active participation of parents in their child's life improves their development. Yet the pressure to achieve that ideal while meeting workplace expectations can be overwhelming. The numbers are eye-opening: 48% of parents report feeling stressed and overwhelmed most days, compared to just 26% of non-parents. With longer work hours, childcare challenges, and less time for sleep and leisure, it’s no wonder parents feel they can't catch up. This is where employers can step up and make a real difference. By offering paid leave, flexible schedules, and childcare support, they can help ease some of that burden. For a quick and insightful take on this issue, I highly recommend checking out the recent episode of "The Daily." It breaks it all down really well and offers great food for thought! https://lnkd.in/e_Fxz5gd #WorkingParents #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeSupport #SurgeonGeneral #NYTimes