CHOC Mental Health Update | April 2022
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Thank you, Friend,
for being a champion for youth with mental health conditions in your community. Visit our Mental Health Toolkit for resources to support pediatric mental health.
Why youth resort to substance and drug use. 
Recently, there has been an alarming rise in substance use amongst youth in the U.S., with over 2 million teens reporting drug use in the last month. Understanding why adolescents resort to substance use can help prevent it from happening. Find answers to common questions and ways to help.
 
Helping your kids better process their feelings.
Emotions can be overwhelming for children. That's why it's important to teach them ways to communicate their feelings properly. When they can understand and identify their emotions, they can learn how to process them in healthy and effective ways. Learn more about teaching your child emotional literacy.
 
Spending time outside can lower anxiety levels. 
With the continued rise of technology, kids are spending less time outside. Beyond the beautiful views, being out in nature has many benefits, like reducing stress and fatigue and building confidence. Whether it's a family walk or nature crafts, kids need time outside. Explore outdoor activities and crafts.
 
Identifying symptoms, causes, and coping methods for stress. 
Identifying the signs of stress in a child is the first step toward helping them cope. Stress can look different in kids, and the signs may be difficult to realize. Once you know the signs, you can start to relate their stress to causes and work on coping strategies. Read more on helping children deal with stress.
Virtual events to build awareness of children's mental health. 
As Children's Mental Health Awareness Month, May is focused on bringing awareness to the importance of children's emotional well-being, as well as teaching habits to promote kids' mental well-being. Celebrate awareness all month with activities and additional resources. Stay tuned for more mental health content from CHOC in May.

 

Upcoming Mental Health Education Sessions

 

Monday, May 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (0-5)
Learn strategies to problem solve typical developmental areas of concern. 
 
Thursday, May 12 from 5-6 p.m (Pacific Time)
UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING LGBTQIA+ YOUTH
Learn risk and protective factors for mental health and ways to promote positive identities in LGBTQIA+ youth.
 

Visit our mental health events page to view what's

happening this spring. We also offer several presentations in Spanish. 


 

Is your child struggling with mental health?

Here's a list of Mental Health Resources.


This email is intended to share news and information about the need for pediatric mental health services in Orange County and CHOC’s role in meeting those needs.

This email is not intended to replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. This email includes links to other websites which provide additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of the CHOC Mental Health newsletter. Linking to a non-CHOC site does not constitute an endorsement by CHOC of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.

    
Long Live Childhood