Mental Health

Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal a concerning surge in persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness among high school girls in particular. In just a decade, these numbers have nearly doubled. In today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Katie Reeves, health researcher and Nurse Practitioner who specializes in the care of anxious, suicidal, and self-harming teens and their families. We explore the prevalence of mental health challenges among adolescent girls, from social pressures to the influence of social media and more. Listen now to learn more about what you can do to support our adolescent girls today.

In this episode we have the opportunity to hear about the remarkable journey of Sean Nesamoney, who was a high school student with a love and talent for music. It’s a testament to the synergy between music and mental health, showcasing how Sean’s passion for music became a vision for a concert to highlight and support teen mental health resources in the community. As you listen, you’ll be moved by Sean’s dedication to making a difference around teen mental health and also inspire others to take action. As Sean says, “I hope that listeners are inspired to just start. If there’s a project in mind that you want to pursue or an issue that’s important to you, just start, because you never know where it could take you.”

Today’s podcast episode underscores the power of resilience, understanding and growth in the face of mental health challenges. Join us for this conversation with Jack and his mom, Cheri. Jack was a teen who seemingly had it all — popular with his peers, strong friendships, a leader on the Varsity track team and a very strong student (graduated as Valedictorian of his class!). Yet, beneath the surface, Jack grappled with an internal battle with anxiety and OCD that would reshape his life in unexpected ways. How could this accomplished student and leader on the track struggle with these feelings that seemed insurmountable? Cheri, Jack’s mom, expresses that she knew something wasn’t quite right, but wasn’t sure how to help. And then Jack started talking about what was going on underneath the surface. Cheri knew that Jack needed help, and she was determined to find that help even though it proved challenging. Join us to hear this conversation with Jack and his mom — it’s a story about struggle, but also about hope and resilience.

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder among U.S. children and adolescents, leading to differences in attention, impulsivity, energy and behavior. All of this can be disruptive to a child’s school and learning experience as well as their social-emotional wellbeing. There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments available to reduce the impact of these brain differences on a child’s functioning. How do you know what will work best for your child? Join us for today’s podcast episode as CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts Bayan Jalalizadeh, MD, licensed psychiatrist and Liberty Hebron, LPCC, licensed clinical counselor, dive into the research behind ADHD and options for treatment.

Studies indicate that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is “the best tool we have” for self-harming and suicidal adolescents. So what is it and why is it so effective? DBT teaches important social-emotional and resilience skills for life enhancement. Based on the dialectic of acceptance and change, skills include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, communication, emotion regulation and distress tolerance. In today’s podcast episode, we talk with CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts, Dr. Zahra Murtaza, Ravenswood Coordinator and Psychologist and Dr. Sarah Griest, RISE IOP clinician to learn more about this gold-standard treatment for building a life worth living.

When you hear a sound, how do you respond? You might choose to ignore it or investigate its source. This process of using our senses to interpret a situation and respond in a purposeful way is called sensory integration. When these systems don’t synthesize, whether due to a diagnosis like autism or ADHD or to a skills deficit, it can lead to a whole host of learning and behavioral challenges. Studies have found that 1 in every 6 children has sensory processing issues that make it more difficult for them to thrive in school. In today’s podcast episode, we sit down with CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services Occupational Therapist, Pamela Olson, MOT, OTR/L, to learn how best to support our child’s sensory skills development and what to do when things don’t seem quite right.

A 2022 Pew Research Center study revealed that nearly 80% of 13-17 year-olds check at least one social media feed at least hourly, and over a third said they did so “almost constantly.” How can we develop healthy social media practices that support, not hinder, our mental health? In today’s podcast episode, CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts Dr. Tracy Cavaligos, Licensed Psychologist and Dr. Olivia McDonald, Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow, talk about how to manage social media’s influence and develop skills to check-in with and take care of ourselves.

Today’s episode was developed in response to a request from our partners at Palo Alto Unified School District…and while it’s great for all listeners, is intended especially for teachers! Increasingly, educators are being asked to manage not just the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of their students, but also address mental health challenges and learning differences in the classroom. We know it’s not possible to do it all, but today’s podcast episode shares some structures and strategies to support struggling students and promote a safe, positive learning environment for all. In addition to tips and takeaways, CHC’s Esther B. Clark (EBC) Schools staff Krislyn Conklin, MA and Kaila Sugiyama, MA, LMFT, remind teachers that “recognizing your own humanity in all of this is the most important.”

In honor of Valentine’s Day, today’s podcast is all about pursuing what you love. While it’s never too late to follow your dreams, we hope you’ll share this inspiring episode with the young adults in your life! We have all heard the phrase, “find a job you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.” But is it really possible? Do we have to choose between happiness and a living wage? What if we’re still figuring out what fulfills us? While “pursuing your passion” may not be as easy as it sounds, Dr. Sharmila Roy, Special Projects Consultant at The Schwab Learning Center at CHC shares her sage advice in this special episode. “Explore yourself and give time to finding out what you love, then life will love you back.”

Navigating learning and mental health challenges is difficult; adding racial and ethnic diversity to the mix can magnify the inequities and complexities of the journey. In today’s podcast episode we talk with Dr. Melina Foden, licensed clinical psychologist at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services and Atira Roberson, a full-time learning disabilities advocate who proudly proclaims, “I'm black, I'm female, and I have a learning disability.” Our guest host is my CHC colleague, Natalie Tamburello, who has dyslexia and has invested the past several years advocating for young adults with learning differences. The conversation delves into diagnosis, accommodations, stigma and resilience.

Almost every day it seems that we are exposed to various acts of violence — school shootings, war, terrorism and more. As a result, our kids can end up feeling confused, frightened and unsafe. How can we validate those feelings while providing comfort to our kids? How do we encourage them to ask questions, even if we may not have all the answers? Should we wait until they come to us or bring it up ourselves? In today’s podcast episode, we talk with Audrey Schield, bilingual Associate Social Worker at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services, as she shares strategies for crafting developmentally appropriate conversations with your kids about violence.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we continue our coverage of this complex topic in our Voices of Compassion podcast series with a brand new episode. For youth ages 10-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the US. It is complicated, tragic and often preventable: knowing the warning signs can help save lives. Join us for a conversation with Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT, Clinical Program Manager at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services, who works with high-risk teens every day in our RISE Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Jennifer shares expert advice on how to talk about emotions with your child or teen, where to find resources and support, and warning signs and protective factors for suicide.

Nearly half of Americans report feeling left out or alone, and over two-thirds of teens report being lonely. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity. But did you know that even just one friend can be enough? Tune in to today’s episode as we talk with Dr. George “Alex” Lazo, licensed clinical psychologist at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services, about the difference between being alone and lonely, how to build tolerance in our kids and the importance of “checking in.”

School avoidance has become a major issue, exacerbated by long periods of distance learning and isolation. What causes school avoidance? How does it show up in kids and how can parents effectively support their children in getting back to the classroom? In today’s conversation with Dr. Jody Miller, Head of Esther B. Clark Schools at CHC, we learn that by identifying the motivating factors for kids to want to go to school, we can better understand and address the anxiety around their absence. Dr. Miller is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has spent her career working with students who struggle to participate in typical classroom settings.

Social-emotional health is fundamental to life and learning: in fact, research shows that it is a greater predictor of academic success than IQ. As our kids head back to school, we are mindful of what they have been through in the past few years and the youth mental health crisis in our midst. How can we as parents best support our children’s social-emotional wellbeing at home and in the classroom? CHC’s Chief Education Officer, Chris Harris, MEd shares timely tips in today’s podcast episode.

In proud partnership with Common Ground, a locally renowned speaker series for over 15,000 families in over 40 schools, we are excited to bring you this Voices of Compassion podcast episode. While Common Ground is primarily a parent education consortium, this conversation is specifically targeted to mental health professionals in schools and beyond. We’ve all heard the self-care metaphor for parents: “put your own oxygen mask on first.” But this is just as critical for mental health providers: your own well-being is essential to providing positive outcomes for your students and clients. Listen into this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Grace Gengoux, Clinical Professor and the Well-being Director within Stanford University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Dr. Ramsey Khasho, Chief Clinical Officer at CHC, as they share self-care strategies for those in a position to care for others.

Between 2009 and 2019, the percentage of teens who reported having “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” rose from 26 percent to 37 percent and, in 2021, to 44 percent. Further, research shows that 1 in 5 youth in distress felt that they didn’t have someone they could turn to in a crisis. How can we let our teens know we’re here for them and protect them from significant mental health challenges? How do we know what to say, or even where to begin? In today’s podcast episode, CHC clinical services expert, Dr. Tracy Cavaligos shares myriad tips and takeaways for talking to our teens about mental health.

​​We often talk about building self-awareness in our kids, but what about in ourselves, as parents and caregivers? The better we understand our own complexities, the more wholeheartedly we can show up for our children. In fact, research shows that when a parent understands themselves better, the child has better overall life outcomes. In today’s podcast episode, CHC Clinical Services experts Audrey Schield, Bilingual Associate Social Worker and Karly Crockett, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, share self-awareness stories and strategies for more present and intentional parenting. ​​

Anxiety is a healthy emotion, except when it’s not. Experiencing anxiety can be just what we need to finish a project or task, or deal with a stressful situation. But it can also be overwhelming and debilitating. In today’s podcast episode, CHC experts Jessica Shankman, MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern, and Christa Johnson, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist help us understand what’s normal and when to worry. Don’t miss this important conversation, covering everything from the differences between stress and anxiety, warning signs and behaviors, the mental health impacts of the pandemic and how to know when to seek help.

Parenting is never easy, but raising a child with exceptional talents who also struggles with learning differences (such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia) is even more complex. This combination of giftedness and challenges — known as twice exceptional (2e) — creates a confusing picture for parents and educators. It can be difficult to see the signs of 2e because it looks different in every child. Their strengths can mask their challenges and their challenges can mask their strengths. Today we talk with Callie Turk, a parent of a 2e child and Dr. Vivien Keil, neuropsychologist, about the journey of understanding and parenting these unique and extraordinary kids.

It’s hard to imagine, but essential to talk about. While we shudder to think of our teens injuring themselves intentionally, cutting and other forms of self-harm are on the rise, affecting 1 in 12 youth and increasing 99% during the pandemic. In today’s episode, we welcome back Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT to the podcast, to discuss what self-harm looks like in adolescents and how to validate their hurt while encouraging healthier coping strategies. As Clinical Program Manager and Clinician at the RISE Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Jennifer is an expert at helping teens regulate big emotions in a nonjudgmental way.

We hear more about gender expression these days than we used to. Yet it’s rare to hear a raw, firsthand account about what it really feels like when your gender identity doesn’t match your biological gender — from shame and stigma to self-awareness and acceptance. In this episode, we hear from a trans adult and his mom as they share their inspiring journey. We talk about body dysmorphia, mental health issues, determination, self-acceptance and transitioning. Ultimately, theirs is a love story between mother and son, and son and self that applies to us all.

It seems like everyone is talking about mindfulness these days. A quick Google search results in 9 Ways to Practice Mindfulness, 16 Types of Meditation and 28 Ways to Practice Mindfulness for Beginners. There is so much out there. So what is mindfulness, really, and does it even make a difference? Do I have to empty my head of all my thoughts, and sit cross-legged on the floor in a zen-like state? Listen in to this podcast episode as we talk with Jennifer Salomon, Occupational Therapist at CHC about the physiology of mindfulness and practical ways to be more present (even for skeptics). Because “as soon as we tune in and recognize that we're not being mindful, we're already being mindful.”

From the minute we become parents, we start fixating on sleep — are our babies getting enough? Too much? Will they ever sleep through the night? Will we? It’s a hot topic because we know how critical it is for healthy development, both mental and physical. As our kids turn to teens, we may monitor their sleep less, but it doesn’t become less important to their wellbeing and academic performance. Teens can face many impediments to consistent, restorative sleep, including stress, with an estimated 70-75% of teens getting less than the recommended 8 hours per night. In this podcast episode, we sat down with two CHC experts — Dr. Joan Baran, Clinical Director at CHC, and Deepika Bose, Doctoral Psychology Intern — to learn strategies for helping your teen develop healthy sleep habits. You may even want to try some yourself!

For the past 15 months, we’ve been carefully following safety protocols, and strict mandates have helped inform our decisions. Now, as we come out of our COVID caves, the rules are more ambiguous and varying comfort levels collide. It can create a whole new wave of anxiety around what feels safe, especially when our precautions don’t match those around us. In some ways life was simpler in our caves, where we could more easily protect our families. In this podcast episode, CHC’s Clinical Director and Neuropsychologist, Dr. Vivien Keil, shares coping strategies for easing our family’s way back into the world with courage and compassion.

This is a holiday season like no other. It can be hard to feel festive in the absence of friends and loved ones. As we all hunker down in our own homes, it may seem lonely or insular, but there are still so many ways to find (and share) holiday cheer!