For Cohen Pierce, it was triggered by the transition to middle school. For his younger sister Lila, it was most apparent the morning of test days. The “its” in both cases were mental health concerns. Cohen’s depression manifested as changes in his personality. He went from his normal happy-go-lucky self to feeling down and negative […]
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 […]
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 […]
Helping teens tame that negative inner voice
It’s a struggle sometimes to shut down that voice of negativity in your head. Vulnerable teens especially can fall into the trap of seeing everything through a pessimistic lens. But you can help your teen see things differently, said Akron Children’s psychologist Kevin Triemstra. Reframing negative thinking can have a positive impact on emotional health […]