5 Tips for Reducing Children’s Fears About Doctors’ Visits During COVID-19
For children, attending doctors’ appointments may have caused anxiety and uncertainty before COVID-19. Now, a stressful situation like the pandemic can magnify pre-existing fears. If your child is struggling with anxiety related to visiting the doctor or coming to the hospital, here are tips on how you can ease their worries.
Research: Teens’ Poor Sleep Linked to Mental Health Problems
A recent study showed teens who experienced poor sleep were more likely to experience poor mental health later in life. According to one of the researchers, "What we are now seeing is that the relationship between sleep and mental health for teenagers is a two-way street. While poorer sleep habits are associated with worse mental health, we are also seeing how addressing sleep for young people with depression and anxiety can have a big impact on their wellbeing.”
A Family Reading List That Promotes Character Development
Courage, compassion and creativity help promote a child’s overall growth and success. Common Sense Media compiled their top picks for books that promote character strengths and life skills. These books portray inspiring characters and help spark family conversations.
A Video Guide to Belly Breathing
In this short video, Dr. Sabrina Stutz, CHOC psychologist, leads viewers in an easy exercise on belly breathing. Belly breathing helps lower heart rate and blood pressure, helping the mind and body to relax.
Mental Health Community Resources
CHOC serves children and teens with a wide variety of behavioral and mental health needs. We strive to be a strong and consistent voice for the improvement of children’s mental health services in California, and we are not alone. We have compiled this list of helpful resources to find additional services in the community.