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 […]
Thoughtful, consistent response after suicide may prevent other deaths
Mental health experts at Akron Children’s, in partnership with colleagues throughout the community, have been working on solutions to prevent suicide. Now the concern is even greater given the COVID-19 pandemic and the way it has disrupted lives on a vast and historic scale. With so much trauma due to the virus – the death […]
How to talk to our kids about racism
Trying to navigate conversations with children about race and diversity can be tricky. But they are important conversations to have. “Kids need to be able to have frank conversations about the world we live in — period,” said Dr. Geoffrey Putt, a pediatric psychologist at Akron Children’s. “It’s not so much that now is any […]













