The Silent Pandemic: Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide
Teens and kids have an increase in mental health struggles since Covid-19 Posted May 21, 2020 The rapid increase in depression, self-harm, and suicide since Covid-19 in children and adolescents is alarming and requires our immediate attention. Children have lost their routines, friends, activities, sports, independence, time in nature, travel, and necessary novel stimulation. The losses children are experiencing in this pandemic are significant;… Read more »
Aspiring Families Uses a Holistic Approach to Mental Health
Del Mar Times features Dr. Maker, the founding director of Aspiring Families, Center for Mental Health and Wellness: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time for recognizing the magnitude of mental health issues in our present-day society. For Dr. Azmaira Maker, the founder of Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness, the designation… Read more »
Mindfulness Helps Kids Cope
Mindfulness Helps Kids Cope Tips on mindfulness from a 12-year-old boy. Mindfulness is the conscious process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and other effective tools. Mindfulness trains you to develop moment-by-moment awareness of mental, emotional, and physical events and states of being. By allowing… Read more »
Helping Children Cope With the Death of a Sibling
Grieving the pregnancy loss of a child is complicated, especially for siblings. As an example, let’s imagine a 4-year-old girl is participating in circle time in preschool. As her turn comes to share her weekend news, she innocently says, “We went to visit my dead brother in the graveyard. He died when he was born…. Read more »
Inside Edition: Dr. Maker Comments on Pranks on Kids
https://www.insideedition.com/media/videos/did-cole-and-sav-take-april-fools-prank-too-far-51923 Young kids need stability, predictability, and safety in order to thrive. Trust and secure attachment are critical foundations of healthy child development, and should be a primary focus of parenting. This video invites us to reflect on the impact of certain pranks on young children’s emotional well being, and how distressing pranks may be… Read more »
USA Today Interviews Dr. Maker on School Shooting Drills
“Teachers at an Indiana elementary school were left bruised, bleeding and frightened after being shot “execution style” with plastic pellets during an active-shooter training exercise in January”, according to the Indiana State Teachers Association. According to USA Today, “lockdown drills have been around for decades, but as fear of school shootings has intensified, they have… Read more »
Divorce and Anxiety in Children and Teens
Divorce can be a significant life stressor for children and teens that can trigger anxiety in multiple ways. Children are resilient and the research indicates that most children of divorce fare well. Nevertheless, even healthy, typical divorces can lend themselves to heightened anxiety because of the a major life transition. Moving homes, changing schools, shuttling… Read more »
Teen Suicide: Awareness, Risks, and Prevention
We express our deepest sympathies to the families who recently lost their teenagers to suicides in San Diego. There have been 3 suicides and 1 attempt in the last one month in high schools within a 5 mile radius. The community is shocked and grieving with the families, and parents, clinicians, and educators are working hard to map… Read more »
The Perils of Perfectionism In Kids and Teens
Perfectionism in Kids and Teens: Dr. Naecker provides expert research and tips on healthy achievement. In today’s busy world, children and teens are chronically juggling the demands of academics, sports, friendships, social media, family, and extra-curricular activities. The expectation and need to excel in multiple domains can be enormously taxing for children and adolescents, lending… Read more »
The Impact of Screen Time on Children & Parenting
Parents often worry about the amount of time their child is spending on electronics and how it is affecting their social skills, motivation, attention, emotional regulation, and neurological functioning. Given the easy access to multiple modes of media (TV, ipads, computers, phones, etc.), electronics have become the “go to” in quiet moments. Screen time has… Read more »