Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence. Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined by special guests John Corbett, MD and Terrance Dolan, MD, two MGH/McLean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows (and lovers of roleplay games) to delve deeper into how it can be used in therapy and at home to support our kids’ mental health. Stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite games! Media List Follow along with the conversation. John Corbett, MDTerrance Dolan, MDThe Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residence of MGH/McLeanRole-playingThe use of clinical role-play and reflection in learning therapeutic communication skills in mental health education: an integrative reviewWhat Is Family Therapy?The Positive Value of Conflict ResolutionThe Psychology of Video Game AvatarsWhy do kids love Roblox?Helping Kids With Challenging Behavior, feat. Stuart Ablon, PhDThe Incredible Hulk, TV seriesThanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back on the THIRD Thursday of next month! Podcast music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn’t just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety. Today, Gene and Khadijah discuss how to approach your teen if you’ve discovered they are using alcohol, marijuana, or a prescription or over-the-counter drug, and what health risks to know about for each of these. These are hard conversations to have. We hope that ours will help you to have yours. Media List When to Worry, What to Do PDF LibraryCDC Report Indicates Teens are Seeking to Escape Worries and Stress Through Drug UseFacing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and HealthAlcohol & Adolescents, featuring John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPPAlcohol - Conversation Starters with Dr. Gene BeresinAsking Adolescents About Alcohol with Dr. Khadijah Booth WatkinsCannabis and the Teen Brain, featuring Jodi Gilman, PhDOnce You Have Discovered Your Teen Is Using Pot, What’s the Next Step?Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC DrugsNARCAN’s Available Over the Counter, Should I Carry It?Addiction Recovery Management Services When to Worry, What to Do PDF LibraryMyths About the 12-Step ProgramFind a Treatment FacilityIf you have a question that we didn’t cover, please get in touch. Write to Gene or Khadijah at mghclaycenter@mgb.org. Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan and Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have heard of dog therapy and pet therapy. But what exactly is equine therapy? Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and more? Plus, tune in until the end to hear everyone's favorite horse films and TV shows! Media List Follow along with the conversation. Who We AreHow Much Does a Horse Weigh?Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: Facing Trauma With a horse by Their SideVery fashionable Angel!HippotherapyEffect of animal assisted interactions on activity and stress response in children in acute care settingsHow Horses Read Human EmotionsTherapeutic horseback riding for at-risk adolescents in residential careEffects of Therapeutic Hoseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum DisorderBuckThe Incredible Dr. PolThe Black Stallion (1979) ORIGINAL TRAILERFind a Program – Equine Assisted Services New episodes on the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream! Music by Gene Beresin Research by Spenser Egnatz Produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey. Read the episode transcript. Media List Follow along with the conversation. Senator John C. VelisA Good Day on Beacon HillJoint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and RecoverySen. John Velis faces alcoholism one day at a timeCould your Honor Student Have an Addiction? feat. Marty WalshRegional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis’D.A.R.E didn’t work. How can school programs actually keep kids off drugs?MCPAPTexas Child Health Access Through TelemedicineWhen to Worry, What to Do – PDF LibraryState commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral healthPeer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, AnxietyHappy Birthday, Carson!We’ll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey. Read the episode transcript. Media List Follow along with the conversation. Senator John C. VelisA Good Day on Beacon HillJoint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and RecoverySen. John Velis faces alcoholism one day at a timeCould your Honor Student Have an Addiction? feat. Marty WalshRegional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis’D.A.R.E didn’t work. How can school programs actually keep kids off drugs?MCPAPTexas Child Health Access Through TelemedicineWhen to Worry, What to Do – PDF LibraryState commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral healthPeer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, AnxietyHappy Birthday, Carson!We’ll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Very special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts joins Gene and Khadijah to discuss legislative opportunities to address the youth mental health crisis. He says a big focus needs to be on schools, for both intervention and prevention. Be sure to tune in next week on the THIRD Thursday of the month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role should prescription stimulant medication play in a child’s ADHD treatment plan? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more. How do you talk to your child about stimulants? What side effects should you watch out for? How do you manage after-school rebound? If you’re a parent trying to navigate the stimulant shortage, Dr. Rostain has advice on that, too. PLUS, some cool info on the history of stimulants. Read the episode transcript here. Media List Follow along with the conversation Anthony Rostain, MD, MAWhat’s behind the ADHD drug shortage?Stimulant Abuse: Pharmacology, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Treatment, Attempts at PharmacotherapyPrimary CareAsk Ellen: How to Help Your Child Develop Executive Function SkillsIs It Safe to Use Stimulants to Treat ADHD?Understanding the Effects of Stimulant Medications on Cognition in Individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Decade of Progress – Figure 4NatureAdverse Effects of Stimulant Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Comprehensive Systematic ReviewCureusADHD Medications for Children: 8 Questions from ParentsHow stimulant treatment prevents serious outcomes of ADHDReview: ADHD Stigma Is Prevalent GloballyWhat’s causing the unusually high number of drug shortages in the U.S.AACAP Comments on DEA Production Quota Notice for 2024Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back here the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. Music by Gene Beresin Episode research by Spenser Egnatz Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role should prescription stimulant medication play in a child’s ADHD treatment plan? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more. How do you talk to your child about stimulants? What side effects should you watch out for? How do you manage after-school rebound? If you’re a parent trying to navigate the stimulant shortage, Dr. Rostain has advice on that, too. PLUS, some cool info on the history of stimulants. Read the episode transcript here. Media List Follow along with the conversation Anthony Rostain, MD, MAWhat’s behind the ADHD drug shortage?Stimulant Abuse: Pharmacology, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Treatment, Attempts at PharmacotherapyPrimary CareAsk Ellen: How to Help Your Child Develop Executive Function SkillsIs It Safe to Use Stimulants to Treat ADHD?Understanding the Effects of Stimulant Medications on Cognition in Individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Decade of Progress – Figure 4NatureAdverse Effects of Stimulant Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Comprehensive Systematic ReviewCureusADHD Medications for Children: 8 Questions from ParentsHow stimulant treatment prevents serious outcomes of ADHDReview: ADHD Stigma Is Prevalent GloballyWhat’s causing the unusually high number of drug shortages in the U.S.AACAP Comments on DEA Production Quota Notice for 2024Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back here the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. Music by Gene Beresin Episode research by Spenser Egnatz Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special guest Anthony Rostain, MD, MA joins us this month to discuss all things stimulants - myths, misconceptions, and managing the shortage. If you have a young person in your life with ADHD, or have ADHD yourself, you don't want to miss this episode! See you back here on December 21st - the THIRD Thursday of the month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special guest Anthony Rostain, MD, MA joins us this month to discuss all things stimulants - myths, misconceptions, and managing the shortage. If you have a young person in your life with ADHD, or have ADHD yourself, you don't want to miss this episode! See you back here on December 21st - the THIRD Thursday of the month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special guest Anthony Rostain, MD, MA joins us this month to discuss all things stimulants - myths, misconceptions, and managing the shortage. If you have a young person in your life with ADHD, or have ADHD yourself, you don't want to miss this episode! See you back here on December 21st - the THIRD Thursday of the month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent national surveys show that a significant proportion of college students report having felt overwhelmed, anxious, and lonely during college. If college is supposed to be the “best years of your life” then why are so many students lonely? That’s what Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins dive into today: what’s contributing to feelings of loneliness, when should we worry about it, and what can we do to help? They share tips for parents and caregivers, and college students themselves. Media List Follow along with the conversation. New Surgeon General Raises Alarm About the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United StatesOur Epidemic of Loneliness: Implementing the Surgeon General’s recommendations for parents and caregivers’22-’23 Student Lifestyle SurveyPublications and Reports: ACHA-NCHA III (Spring 2023)Why Is College So Lonely?The Challenges of First-Generation College StudentsSocial Media is Killing Your FriendshipsYour College Student – Conversation StartersPeer Programs in College Student Mental HealthRoy Orbison – Only the LonelyThanks for joining in this conversation. We'll see you back the Third Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream & leave us a review! Music credit: ‘Only the Lonely’ by Roy Orbison; Publication date, 1961; Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International Original music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All of us have fears – kids and adults alike. Many of us even enjoy a good scare now and again (there’s a reason why horror movies do so well). Most fears – real or imagined – eventually respond to reassurance, emotional calming, or distraction. But when a fear persists, resisting rational or emotional soothing and creating obstacles in daily life, it becomes a phobia. Just in time for Halloween, we’re kicking off our new season with a look at specific phobias in kids. We’re joined by special guest Susan Sprich, PhD of Massachusetts General Hospital to learn more about fears and phobias, and to discuss what treatments work best and what parents can do to help. Media List Susan Sprich, PhDCognitive Behavior Therapy, featuring Susan Sprich, PhDCould You Have Samhainophobia or the Fear of Halloween?Types of Specific PhobiaFear of the Dark? 16 Ways to Help Your ChildNature Vs. Nurture, featuring Jordan Smoller, MD, ScDTreatment – PhobiasHow Do You Treat Specific Phobias in Kids?Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale – Revised (CTRS-R)Involving family members in exposure therapy for children and adolescentsThanks for joining in this conversation. We hope to see you back the Third Thursday of every month! Subscribe wherever you stream. Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Music by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript: Hi, this is Gene Beresin, co-host of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple. We’ll have all new episodes for you beginning next month – on the THIRD THURSDAY of every month. We’ve got some great topics lined up for this season: the stimulant shortage, phobias in kids and teens, the benefits on animal therapy, and so much more. Do stay tuned, and we'll see you soon. Subscribe wherever you stream - new episodes every THIRD THURSDAY of the month. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With increasing gun violence and constant media coverage, many kids are scared to go to concerts, to malls, to school. Many adults are feeling the same. Today, special guest Gretchen Felopulos, PhD, the education and training lead for the Center for Gun Violence Prevention at MGH, joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn more about gun safety, youth suicide, best practices for lockdown drills, talking about guns to those with opposing views, and so much more. Be sure to see the resources, below. Media List Follow along with the conversation. Gretchen Felopulos, PhD (LinkedIn) Center for Gun Violence Prevention (Massachusetts General Hospital) Twitter, TikTok, and Siloization (The Medium) Firearm suicide among America’s youth has hit its highest rate in 20 years, report finds (CBS News) Talking to Kids About Fear and Violence (Mental Health America) Can Community Programs Help Slow the Rise in Violence? (ProPublica) Are active shooter drills worth it? (Vox) Active Shooter Situations: Threat Assessment Teams (TAT) (REMS TA Center) School shooting false alarms, swatting calls put teachers, students and parents on edge (PBS News Hour) Nine Ways to Help Students Discuss Gun Violence (Greater Good Magazine) How to Have a Productive Conversation About Guns with Someone Who Holds Different Views? (The Trace) Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) or “Red Flag” Laws (American Academy of Pediatrics) Activism Is Good for Our Teens (MGH Clay Center) Keep the Peace Contract (Boys Town) About Wear Orange (wearorange.org) Thanks for tuning in. We hope our conversation will help you to have yours. If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transition to college can be huge for all kids, but for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) there's even more to consider in making it a smooth transition. As parents, how do we best support them? How involved should we be? Special guest Dr. Chris Keary of the MGH Lurie Center for Autism Center joins Gene and Khadijah with helpful advice and answers to these questions and more. Media List Follow along with the conversation. Christopher Keary, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital) MGH Fellowship Program in Autism Spectrum Disorder (Lurie Center for Autism) What is Autism Spectrum? (MGH Clay Center) Transition Planning Requirements of IDEA 2004 (Learning Disabilities Association of America) Autism Resource Central (HMEA)** What are a public or private college-university’s responsibilities to students with disabilities? (ADA National Network) First-of-its-kind law improves college access for students with autism, intellectual disabilities (The Boston Globe) Autism Disclosure and College (Asperger/Autism Network) Not Every Autistic Person is a ‘Savant.’ (The Swaddle) Autism goes to College: Understanding the Needs of a Student Population on the Rise (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders) Anxiety and Depression in Autistic College Students (Cureus) Autism Goes to College, The Podcast Series The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Official Trailer (YouTube) **similar services may be available in other states Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve reached a point in time where most of our kids have grown up with digital media as a way of life. Social media, instant viral news, e-learning, digital surveillance – it’s all here to stay. And it’s not all bad. But there are some legitimate concerns about how it’s impacting the mental health and safety of young people. In this episode of Shrinking It Down, we revisit some of the most helpful conversations we’ve had about digital media’s impact on our kids and teens. From issues related to body image and gaming disorder, to ways we can help our young digital natives become more digitally vigilant, Gene, Khadijah, and other experts share practical advice for every caring adult. To hear to any of the previous episodes in full or see the resources shared in their write ups, check out our media list, below. Media List Unsettled About Instagram?Body Image and Young People, feat. Holly Peek, MD, MPHGaming Disorder, with Steven Schlozman, MDMedia Literacy and Mental Health, feat. Michael Robb, PhDKids Under Surveillance! with Steve Schlozman, MDBONUS: Asking About Social MediaThanks for joining in this conversation. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! And be sure to subscribe for new episodes every Third Thursday of the month. Music by Gene Beresin Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety. It's rising in our kids and teens. What can we do to help? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by very special guest Dr. Kevin Simon, Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the City of Boston. Dr. Simon draws on his experience in child & adolescent psychiatry, addiction medicine, health policy, and more, to help us talk through childhood anxiety. What’s the right way to respond to a child with anxiety? Why can parental accommodation make things worse? How do we reassure kids whose anxiety stems from legitimate concerns, like community violence or discrimination? What’s the role of mental health education in supporting families? Tune in and share with a friend. And be sure to check out the additional resources below. Media List Kevin M. Simon, MD, LLCDr. Kevin Simon Appointed First Chief Behavioral Health OfficerSt. Peter Claver RC ChurchYRBS Data Summary & Trends Report, 2011-2021What If My Child Has Anxiety?Anxiety to Agency: Empowering Kids to Address Climate ChangeBuilding Mental Wellness in Children: What Parents Can DoSchool Refusal: When Back to School Is a NightmareCollaborative Problem Solving for ParentsAnxiety: Support Your Child at HomeWhat is Cognitive Behavior TherapyDisparities in Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health ConditionsChild Psychiatrist on How to Address Suicide Among Black YouthCalling 988 Can Get You Help During a Mental Health or Substance Abuse EmergencyTune in Third Thursdays for new episodes. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Music by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often hear about how stigma can prevent treatment for mental disorders and promote feelings of shame or low self-worth among those struggling. Did you know the same is true for obesity? Obesity is a complex disease, and stigma stems from a misunderstanding of what it is, what contributes, and how it can be treated. Today, we're joined by Angela Fitch, MD, a leader in the field of obesity medicine, to help us learn more about what we can all do to support kids who are struggling with obesity and shift the culture around weight bias. We discuss personal biases, effective treatment, and the mental health toll obesity stigma can take on our kids who need us to step up on this issue. Tune in & share with someone you know. Media List Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMAMore About KnownwellConsensus Statement on ObesityWhat Is Body Composition?BMI ≠ Obesity = Excess AdiposityAdipose Tissue (Body Fat)Study: BMI Measurements Should Be Tailored to Race and EthnicityMost Food in America is Hyper-Palatable and ‘Difficult to Stop Eating,’ Scientists SayCBT Is Effective for Childhood ObesityCognitive Behavioral Therapy, featuring Susan Sprich, PhDIs Your ADHD Brain Hard-Wired for Weight Gain?Headless, Hungry, and Unhealthy: A Video Content Analysis of [Persons With Obesity] Portrayed in Online NewsNew guidelines for treating childhood obesity include medications and surgery for first timeWeight Bias: People-First LanguageDigital Media and Body Image Episode produced by Sara Rattigan Music by Gene Beresin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From challenges with hair pulling to supporting a child through a regression in toilet training, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer real parent questions in this episode. For each question, they offer clinical insight to help parents better understand what might be going on, and suggestions for next steps and ways to support the child. We think all caring adults will be interested in this discussion. Be sure to tune in. Follow along with the media list below, and if this episode sparks another question, write to us! We’ll include it in a future episode. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! Media List Dr. J. Stuart Ablon: Kids Lack Skills, Not Will to Do Well (YouTube-AccuTrain) Question #1: How to Help With Hair Pulling (01:40) Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) (AACAP) What If My Child Has Obsessive Compuslive Disorder (OCD)? (MGH Clay Center) Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Closer Look (MGH Clay Center) What If My Child Is Prescribed an SSRI? (MGH Clay Center) Question #2: How to Help My Teenager with Avoidance Behaviors at Home and at School (06:15) Anxiety in Our Children: The Role of Avoidance Behavior (National Association for Child Development) School Refusal: When Back-to-School Is a Struggle (MGH Clay Center) CBT Snapshot: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Phobias (MGH Clay Center) Question #3: Child Can’t Stop Touching Things When They Walk Around the House (13:05) Overview: Tics (National Health Service) What If My Child Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? (MGH Clay Center) Question #4: How to Help 5-Year-Old with Potty Training Regression (18:05) Potty Training Regression: What To Do About It (Cleveland Clinic) What Is Collaborative Problem Solving? (Think:Kids) Tips for Dealing with Potty Training Regression (Healthline) Welcome Back (Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter) (YouTube-John Sebastian) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.