Every day at Akron Children’s, we strive to deliver compassionate care and create positive experiences for our patients and families. This month, we’re spotlighting Nancy Blanchard, a parent partner in Akron Children’s inpatient behavioral health unit, who recently received the following feedback from a patient family: “I appreciate the parent partner (Nancy Blanchard). Finally, I […]
The ups and downs of teen emotions and how to help
It’s not easy for adults to manage their emotions, so imagine how difficult it is for kids. In the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children’s, Dr. Crystal Cole not only tends to physical health needs of her patients. At times, she helps them understand their feelings. Her patients are at an emotionally vulnerable age. […]
7 warning signs your child may be suffering from a mental illness
Being a child isn’t all fun and games. Children are constantly faced with new challenges and social pressures, not to mention their growing bodies are changing rapidly. Once they hit adolescence, the hormonal changes associated with puberty may also cause feelings of sadness or frustration, making kids moody or irritable. For some kids, this moodiness […]
Snapchat: A guide to keeping our teens safe
If you have teens or tweens in your house, you’ve probably heard about Snapchat — the uber-popular social messaging app that users use to exchange pictures and videos (called snaps) that capture life’s everyday moments. But while many parents have heard about Snapchat, most of us can admit we don’t know the ins and outs […]
Family’s gift of life insurance to support behavioral health services
A recent donation of $1 million from Christopher Thompson and his family – made through a gift of a life insurance policy – will be used to support the programs and services in the Mahoning Valley at the Lois and John Orr Family Behavioral Health Center. The center is home to pediatric behavioral health services […]
10 tips to help kids deal with school anxiety
For some kids, anxiety can be short-lived nervousness at the start of the school year. For others, school can be a constant source of stress that can lead to intense anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, school-related anxiety affects 2 to 5 percent of children and teens, commonly between ages 5 […]













