Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

What’s the difference between a “resolution” and an “evolution”? In the context of New Year’s, even though they begin with the best intentions, resolutions often come with a lot of pressure to follow through. But an evolution allows you to grow and adapt within your personal environment – including the various people in your life, as well as non-negotiable life demands that may come from home or from work. In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Gene and Steve try to move beyond resolutions to something that will have a more meaningful impact in our lives. That, and—have you watched the new interactive episode of Black Mirror??Do you have any new year's evolutions you'd like to share? Send us your thoughts and questions! We may read them on the air.Media List:Growing Together in the New Year (MGH Clay Center)January Newsletter: New Year’s Evolutions (MGH Clay Center)JOMO: Joy Of Missing Out (@christinaelmoussa via @scarymommy)Episode edited by Sara RattiganSpecial music by Gene Beresin and Jim Mayer See acast.c

Here we are, in the peak of the holiday season. Do you feel joyful? Do you feel down? Are you simply overwhelmed? Whatever it is you’re feeling, it’s okay, and we guarantee you’re not alone. The holidays mean different things for different folks and families. But if you want to make the most of this season, let Gene and Steve talk you through a few strategies to mix in some moderation and self-care. What do you love or hate about the holidays? We'd love to hear from you. Write to us!Media ListHow to Survive the Holidays With Teens (MGH Clay Center)Mending a House Divided: Bringing Peace and Good Will to the Holidays (MGH Clay Center)What if My Family Doesn't Celebrate the Holidays? (MGH Clay Center)22 Simple Habits That Relieve Holiday Stress and Anxiety (Reader's Digest)10 Tips for Dealing With Family Estrangement During the Holidays (SELF Magazine)8 Holiday Survival Tips for Adults With Divorced Parents (BuzzFeed) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s cold. It’s gray. It’s dark. This time of year, a lot of folks feel pretty blah. And not just those with depression or other mental health disorders. It can affect anyone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. But if you don’t like the way it makes you feel, there are real things you can do about it.In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Gene and Steve talk about the signs and symptoms of SAD, and ways to help you and your family cope.Have a question about SAD that we didn’t cover? Write to us!Media List·     Baby, It’s Gray Outside: Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder (MGH Clay Center)·     Spring Suicide: An (Un)Likely Combination? (MGH Clay Center)·     Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole (Mountain Apple Company Inc.)·     Resources – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rewards. Punishments. Incentives. What parent hasn’t used one or all of these when trying to navigate challenging behavior in their kids? These might be great strategies when the root of the problem is a lack of motivation. But in reality, that’s not often the case. The truth is, for most kids – and even adults – “bad behavior” isn’t about a lack of will, but rather a lack of skills like flexibility, tolerance, and problem solving.The great thing about skills is that we can practice and acquire new ones! In this episode of Shrinking It Down, co-hosts Gene and Steve welcome Dr. Stuart Ablon of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital to talk about his new book, Changeable, and how parents can help their kids to overcome challenging behavior.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about this episode, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us here.Media List·      Changeable (J. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D.)·    

“I couldn’t get off the computer ‘cause I was about to kill that final thing in ‘Call of Duty’ and if I didn’t kill it I’d have to fight it all over again and it just isn’t worth my time!”Who doesn’t love a good video game? Whether it’s Fortnite or Candy Crush Saga, it’s pretty easy to get sucked in, sometimes for hours. But is there such a thing as Gaming Disorder? The World Health Organization says yes, but the American Psychiatric Association is still considering. Regardless of if it technically qualifies as a mental health disorder, what parents really want to know for their kids is: When does it cross the line from casual pastime to problem territory? In this episode of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Steve tackle the issue of gaming disorder, including how much is too much – of anything.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about gaming that we didn’t cover, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us here.Media List· &n

At the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, we think a lot about helping kids as they’re growing up with all sorts of challenges. Most families will experience some kind of challenge along the road of life, whether behavioral, psychiatric, chronic, or living with a disability. Dr. Ellen Braaten's family is no different, and in this episode of Shrinking It Down she joins. Dr. Steve Schlozman as a co-host to welcome a very special guest: her brother, Robert.Robert, who has Down Syndrome, joins today's conversation to help other families and children understand: "Don't worry about anything." With family and community support, we all can thrive. Tune in as Steve, Ellen, and Robert talk about life. They look back to what it was like for him as a child facing bullies and learning in school, then focus on all he's doing today, from playing sports to working and living on his own.Thank you for joining in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about growing up with a disability that we didn't

Last season, we talked about the benefits of pets for our kids' mental health. That unconditional love helps our children build skills and navigate important life lessons. What we don't tend to think about, though, is that one day our pets will be gone. When that happens, do we try to shield our kids from the pain? Would it have been better not to have a pet at all? In this episode of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple, co-hosts Gene and Steve kick off our new season in celebration of our furry (and non-furry!) friends. They point out that while losing a pet is really, really sad, it doesn't have to be grim. And even after they're gone, our pets can help to guide our children through one of the biggest challenges we all face at some point in our lives: the loss of a loved one. Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about pets that we didn't cover, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us.Media ListShrinking It Down, The Importance of Pets (Clay Ce

In research that's been done about kids' fears, one of the most frightening things is losing or being left without a parent.Through the events at the U.S. southern border over the past weeks, we have watched migrant children live out their worst nightmares in the most deliberately traumatic way. There are millions of other children who are also watching these events and experiencing their worst fears played out, day after day, through news media and adult conversations. The rest of us have been left feeling emotionally and conscionably horrified, and helpless about what to do next. It is important to be aware of and to discuss how these events have affected, and will continue to affect, the children and families who have been separated from each other. We must also address how it is affecting us as a nation. In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Drs. Gene Beresin, Steve Schlozman, and Ellen Braaten process all of this, including what we -- individuals, communities, a nation -- can do to ge

Did you know that Dr. Ellen Braaten has a mild form of dyslexia and had to work really hard at reading when she was a child? Did you know that Dr. Gene Beresin has always struggled with math?We all have challenges. We all have differences. But some of us have greater challenges than others, and this can be difficult at times for both kids and their families.In the Season 1 finale of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Dr. Beresin, Dr. Schlozman, and Dr. Braaten share a conversation sparked by our short documentary, Greatest Strength: Challenges Met with Courage. The film features the stories of five incredible young people with various differences and disabilities as they showcase their greatest skills and talents.Through both personal reflections and professional experience, the docs talk about ways for families to embrace challenges as both weaknesses and strengths, rather than problems, to help build resilience in kids. They also discuss how learning to accept ourselves for who we are – whether a

Did you know that many young people forego college and go into the workforce after high school? In fact, going to college right away has declined to 66% of high school grads, in recent years, and only 46% of those under age 30 complete an associates degree or higher.There are many different paths to take after high school, but the social pressures that adolescents face during this time can be stressful no matter which road they take.Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steven Schlozman break down the myths associated with attending college or working after high school. They also touch upon changes in relationships with peers and parents as teens grow older. Fortunately, parents can encourage healthy decision-making to make the transition a little easier.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question about the period after high school for teens and families that we didn't answer, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us at: contact @ mghclaycenter.orgReading list:-- Where Are All the High

Recently, youth-driven marches such as 'March for Our Lives' have received extensive media coverage. While many kids and teens are participating in these marches, what happens to those who want a different outlet? Have adults pressured youth into marching?On this episode of Shrinking It Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman are joined by Dr. Ellen Braaten to discuss the effects of activism on adolescence, particularly in a world of media mania. Tune in as they advocate for more student narratives, and highlight ways for kids and teens to be heard beyond marching.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question about youth activism that we didn't answer, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us at: contact @ mghclaycenter.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're not going to pretend it isn't so. If you're seeking mental or behavioral health services for your child, it can be tricky and frustrating trying to navigate the system. But resources are available.In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Dr. Ellen Braaten joins Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman to offer advice on things parents can do to get the appropriate mental health help for kids who are struggling. Some of this includes is broadening your network "treaters," educating yourself while waiting for an appointment, and advocating for a better system.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question about navigating the system that we didn't answer, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us at: contact @ mghclaycenter.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is creativity important for human relationships? We don't just think so, we know it! Think about it, yourself: What does it mean when you watch a movie with family or create music with friends?On this episode of Shrinking It Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman delve into all things creative, including the biological and social impacts of creativity on individuals, kids, and communities. Join the conversation as they weigh in on why humans desire to make things, and how family bonds are strengthened when we spend time being creative together.Want more? Read Dr. Beresin's blog on the benefits of music in, "The Power of Music: To Feel, Heal, and Connect."Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question about creativity that we didn't answer, we’d love to hear from you! Write to us at: contact@mghclaycenter.orgSubscribe to our channel and connect with us online:*http://www.mghclaycenter.org*https://www.facebook.com/massgeneralclaycenter*https://twitter.com/mghclaycenter

A lot has changed over the years in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including that we’re getting better at understanding how to recognize it early in kids. And the earlier treatment starts, the more beneficial and effective it will be for children with ASD.But what is ASD, and why do we now consider it a spectrum disorder instead of multiple, separate diagnoses, like Asperger’s and Pervasive Developmental Disorder? What services exist to help children living with autism at all ends of the spectrum?In today’s episode of Shrinking It Down, Dr. Gene Beresin, Dr. Steve Schlozman, and Dr. Ellen Braaten take a deep dive into all of these details and more, including how parents can get access to different services – like occupational therapy, speech therapy, or school accommodations – and specific examples of early developmental signs of ASD of which parents and pediatricians can be aware.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question about ASD that w

Does turning 18 mark the start of adulthood, or is this milestone simply a cultural construct? These days, researchers say that legal adolescence should continue into the mid-20s.In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman break down this phenomenon, its origins and cultural contexts, and how adolescent development and behavior definitely persists beyond the age of 18.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We’d love to hear from you! Send your questions to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At 14 years old, in the 1980s, Kathleen began seeing Dr. Beresin, an experienced clinician with expertise in eating disorders. Though eating disorders can be potentially deadly, over many years of working on it, Kathleen conquered her anorexia nervosa.In this episode of Shrinking It Down, Kathleen joins Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman to share her story of finding herself, including what gave her hope through many horrible years and a lot of sad stuff. Kathleen talks about the importance of her connections to others struggling with anorexia, her journey with treatment, and how theater helped her along the way. *** Note: This person’s account of his/her personal experience has been published with his/her consent to support the mission of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and let others in similar situations not feel so alone.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We’d love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy a

Emotional eating occurs when we use food as a coping mechanism to deal with the stresses in life. Oftentimes, feelings of shame and regret follow patterns of emotional eating.Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman break down what emotional eating is, where it comes from, and how parents can help their children learn how to use healthy coping mechanisms when faced with stress.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We’d love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While relationships with family, friends, and even pets can be challenging, learning how to balance our needs with the needs of others can lead to meaningful, loving relationships.Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman are joined by Dr. Ellen Braaten to celebrate the joys of love, and to discuss how raising independent, caring children can help our kids have loving relationships in the future.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

According to a 2017 report by the American Psychological Association, 2/3 of Americans feel stressed about the future of our nation, including a majority of each Democrats and Republicans. But who needs a survey to point that out – even our kids can tell how tense we are. So, what gives?Dr. Ellen Braaten joins co-hosts Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman to explore what the heck is going on in our world to cause so much anxiety in everyone, and to contemplate solutions for alleviating our stress and minimizing the negative effects on our children. This episode of Shrinking It Down was recorded April 27, 2017. We are releasing it now, as the conversation is still relevant today.Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Films foster empathy and can even promote social action. Sharing stories of mental health through video allows viewers to deeply connect with storytellers. When we watch and listen to stories, we begin to expand our own perspectives and understand the lived experiences of others. Filmmaker Eric Lu (Looking For Luke, Can Kids Get Mental Illness?) joins co-hosts Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman to emphasize the importance and healing power of storytelling through film. Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: contact@mghclaycenter.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.