CHOC Mental Health Update | October 2021
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October 2021 Mental Health Header
Thank you Friend,
for being a champion for kids with mental illness in your community. October is bullying prevention month. To learn more about how you can help children deal with bullying, as well as tips to protect them, head to the CHOC Blog. Visit our Mental Health Toolkit for resources to support pediatric mental illness.
Facebook aware of Instagram’s harmful effect on teenage girls
Since 2019, Facebook has been studying the impact of its products on younger users’ state of mind and a recent leak, at the company, surfaced some of the findings. Feedback from focus groups, online surveys and diary studies suggests Instagram worsens body image issues for teenage girls. Read insights from Facebook's internal research.
 
National Eating Disorder Association resources for help
If you suspect your child is suffering from an eating disorder, it's time to seek help. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) offers a guide to detecting the warning signs and steps to get treatment. 
 
Social Media and friendship: Navigating relationships during COVID-19
The rise in popularity of social media over the past few years coupled with the decline of in-person interaction during the pandemic means children and teens are connecting with their peers behind a phone screen now more than ever. In our latest CHOC Blog post, Dr. Amy Morse, a pediatric psychologist, explains how digital connections are changing peer relationships and offers best practices for safe social media use.
 
Spotting kids suffering from pandemic stress
The pandemic caused increases in pediatric mental health issues, but just because kids are back in school doesn’t mean these mental health problems will go away. In a recent Q&A, Dr. Carol Weitzman, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, breaks down adolescent behaviors that signal grief, ways to start a conversation with a child and when to seek professional help.
 
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) awareness
Oct. 10-16 was OCD Awareness Week and at CHOC, we believe awareness starts with education. We encourage the mental health advocates of our community to take some time to use our resources to learn about OCD in children and start spreading awareness. 
 
Focus on your mental health for World Mental Health Day
While World Mental Health Day has passed, it's never too late to focus on your own mental health. This month we encourage you to take honest stock of your emotional well-being. Are you taking care of yourself? Here are six steps you can take to enhance your mental wellness, and that of those around you.
 

UPCOMING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION SESSIONS

Thursday, Oct. 28: 5:00-6:00 p.m. (PST)

HELPING YOUTH FIND THEIR VOICES: ANXIETY MGMT DURING COVID

Register Here

 

Wednesday, Nov. 3: 5:00-6:00 p.m. (PST)

ADHD: A TO Z

Register Here

 

Thursday, Nov. 11: 5:00-6:00 p.m. (PST)

OPTIMIZING SLEEP IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Register Here

 

Monday, Nov. 15: 5:30-6:30 p.m. (PST)

STRESS, TRAUMA, AND RESILIENCE: HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH

Register Here

 

Full Schedule

 

 

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