March 16, 2020 – I’m a therapist who treats anxiety. I’m also a mom and this is what I’m telling my own kids about COVID-19 also known as coronavirus: PERSPECTIVE TAKING: Yes, this is a new virus and sometimes something new can be seen as scary, especially in an age of technology in which we do not have all of the answers. You, just like your children, have a right to feel scared at times given all of the information both fact and fiction that is being pushed through various media platforms. Remember, your children will learn how to cope and manage their fears from you. You are their role model and if this is a worry for them, they will look to you to understand and manage their fears. It is your responsibility to help them better understand the information they are receiving. They have little experience in managing stress and information. They need you now. Children of all ages will have common fear-based questions related to COVID-19. Remember your child’s level of understanding is based on their age, past experience with fear and current life challenges. Make a point to sit down with your child and ask them what they know about this new virus, ask them what questions they have and what facts and/or rumors they have heard. LISTEN: Listening to what your child says can be powerful. It can create a strong relationship between you and your child. When your child feels able to express big emotion (like fear) and the thoughts behind them, a greater depth of trust has just been established. Depending on their age, their fears and or questions may seem silly, not connected and minimal to you. It is important to remember that children understand the world very differently, at different ages, because of brain development and personal experiences. To them, their thoughts and fears are very strong and very real. LISTEN to them. VALIDATE: Once they have shared their thoughts and feelings, validate them. Say things like: “Wow, that sounds scary for you” “I’m sorry to hear you have been worrying so much about this” Let them know what you appreciate they shared and express empathy to them about what they are experiencing. Do NOT say: ”Don’t worry” “I’ll do the worrying for you” Statements like these are felt by a child as if their worry is not important to you. Statements like these can keep a child feeling less in control than before and even feeling “more stuck” which can then exacerbate worrying thoughts and behaviors. TALK/CONTROL THE NARRATIVE: This is a great opportunity to talk about this virus and help them with an appropriate and accurate narrative. Questions to ask your child: “What have you heard or read about this virus?” If you, as a parent are not worried, you can says things like: “I am not worried, you can be worried and I want you to tell me when you have worry thoughts so we can talk about them, but right now I am going to work on making sure you wash your hands, stop touching your face and practice being mindful of those who might be sick around you” Let them know “There are things in our control and we, as a family are going to focus on those (aka: prevention and planning).” TEACH: This is a great opportunity to involve your kids, of any age, in age appropriate planning and prevention. Kids love to be in control and just like adults, when they have some answers, have a trusted source to confide in, and can ‘do something’, their worry will lessen. Use this opportunity to teach them about the importance of information gathering, using trusted sources of information and recognizing when they are feeling information fatigue. Get them involved in prevention and planning around the house, just like you would for fire and disaster preparation. ©️Rebecca Dougherty-Froelke, MSW, LCSW – Therapist Mental Health Specialist Missouri Disaster Response Team, SEMA Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 bryan@STLmentalhealth.com STLMENTALHEALTH.COM
https://fox2now.com/am-show/how-to-manage-stress-and-anxiety-around-coronavirus/
Something To Think About: “When you put a kid who had experienced adversity in an MRI machine, you could see measurable changes to the brain structures.” -Dr. Nadine Burke Harris Did You Know? Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults, or 6.8% of the U.S. population (ADAA). TED Talk – “This Could Be Why You’re Depressed Or Anxious”: In a moving talk, journalist Johann Hari shares fresh insights on the causes of depression and anxiety from experts around the world — as well as some exciting emerging solutions. “If you’re depressed or anxious, you’re not weak and you’re not crazy — you’re a human being with unmet needs,” Hari says. https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_this_could_be_why_you_re_depressed_or_anxious Article – “Teachers Experience More Stress Than Other Workers”: Teachers endure greater job-related stress than other professionals, according to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). With pupil numbers rising and an increasing proportion of teachers leaving the profession, the report found that one in five felt tense about their job most or all of the time, compared with 13% of those in similar occupations. Although teachers’ working hours across the year were similar to those in other professions, working intensively over fewer weeks of the year led to a poorer work-life balance and higher stress levels, the NFER observed. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/25/teachers-experience-more-stress-than-other-workers-study-shows Article – “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Kids With Long-Term Conditions”: The mental health of children and young people with some long term physical conditions could benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), according to a recent study. The systematic review used robust methods to bring together and make sense of the best science in this area. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190524081638.htm We Are Accepting New Clients: We specialize in depression, anxiety, stress & relationships. Our practice sees kids, teens, adults, couples and families. We are staffed to ensure that we can get someone in to be seen within a couple days (if not sooner). We now offer an ONLINE option too. Please contact me for more information. Take care, Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates https://www.stlmentalhealth.com/ 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com
Something to think about… “Don’t believe every worried thought you have. Worried thoughts are notoriously inaccurate.” -Renee Jain Let’s Connect On Twitter (Join My PLN): I share information about mental health, education, medicine & more. It is very important to be a part of a PLN (professional learning network). Join mine! https://twitter.com/drlenapearlman Mental Health Statistic: Over one-third of students with a mental health condition age 14 and older who are served by special education drop out—the highest dropout rate of any disability group. (NAMI) TED Talk – “Don’t Suffer From Your Depression In Silence” Having feelings isn’t a sign of weakness — they mean we’re human, says producer and activist Nikki Webber Allen. Even after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression, Webber Allen felt too ashamed to tell anybody, keeping her condition a secret until a family tragedy revealed how others close to her were also suffering. In this important talk about mental health, she speaks openly about her struggle — and why communities of color must undo the stigma that misreads depression as a weakness and keeps sufferers from getting help. https://www.ted.com/talks/nikki_webber_allen_don_t_suffer_from_your_depression_in_silence/details?referrer=playlist-how_to_practice_emotional_first_aid Article – “How Much Does Poor Body Image Affect Mental Health?” Like it or not, most of us are aware of how we look. We have all had a bad hair day, or worried whether we are wearing the right clothes for a particular event. The traditional stereotype is that young women are more concerned about their appearance than young men. Societal pressures, media images, and doting relatives saying how pretty a female child looks all have an impact. But how serious an impact can it have on our wellbeing and our mental health? And just how much does our body image trouble us as we get older? Statistics by the charity the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), show that poor body self-image can affect all ages, not just younger people, and the reactions it can trigger range from anxiety and self-disgust to suicidal thoughts. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/17/poor-body-image-mental-health Article – “Talking To Your Child About Their Mental Health” Whether your child is struggling with depression or you want to be proactive before a problem arises, these guidelines from experts can help start the conversation. https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/strategies-for-talking-to-your-child-about-their-mental-health/ Therapy, Counseling & Coaching: -Our team of five therapists sees patients of all ages, couples & families. -We offer AM/PM, Sat. & ONLINE appoints (available to all Missouri residents). -We specialize in anxiety, depression, and relationships. -Appointments available within a few days (if not sooner). Please contact us for more information at: 314-942-1147, bryan@STLmentalhealth.com or https://www.STLmentalhealth.com. Take care! Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Clinical Director & Lead Therapist Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates https://www.STLmentalhealth.com 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/drlenapearlman “Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” – Shipp
Something to think about… “Twenty years of medical research has shown that childhood adversity literally gets under our skin, changing people in ways that can endure in their bodies for decades.” -Dr. Nadine Burke Harris (California Surgeon General) Mental Health Statistic: At some point, anxiety affects 30% of children and adolescents, yet 80% never get help (Child Mind Institute, 2018). TED Talk – “The Unexpected Benefit of Celebrating Failure” “Great dreams aren’t just visions,” says Astro Teller, “They’re visions coupled to strategies for making them real.” The head of X (formerly Google X), Teller takes us inside the “moonshot factory,” as it’s called, where his team seeks to solve the world’s biggest problems through experimental projects like balloon-powered Internet and wind turbines that sail through the air. Find out X’s secret to creating an organization where people feel comfortable working on big, risky projects and exploring audacious ideas. https://www.ted.com/talks/astro_teller_the_unexpected_benefit_of_celebrating_failure Let’s Connect On Twitter: Article – “How Team Sports Change a Child’s Brain” Adult depression has long been associated with shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region that plays an important role in memory and response to stress. Now, new research has linked participation in team sports to larger hippocampal volumes in children and less depression in boys ages 9 to 11. Research by Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190321135154.htm Article – “10 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health in Children” We receive many questions about what parents can do to help promote positive mental health in their children. This article shares 10 ways to promote positive mental health in children (i.e. sunlight, movement, learning new things, sleep..). https://www.stlmentalhealth.com/positive-mental-health-children/ Therapy, Counseling & Coaching: We see patients of all ages, couples & families. We offer AM/PM, Saturday & ONLINE appointments (available to all Missouri residents). Our therapists specialize in anxiety, depression, and relationships. Appointments available within a few days (if not sooner). Please contact us for more information. Take care! Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates https://www.STLmentalhealth.com 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com Dr. Lena Pearlman is the founder and clinical director of Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates, a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri.
I hope you are having an amazing weekend! Something To Think About:“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” – Margaret Mead Did You Know?18% of high school students reported thinking seriously about attempting suicide in the past year. (CDC, 2016) Article – “45 Simple Self-Care Practices For A Healthy Mind, Body & Soul”:https://tinybuddha.com/blog/45-simple-self-care-practices-for-a-healthy-mind-body-and-soul/ Article – “19 Celebrity Quotes On Mental Health”Whether you’re plagued by panic attacks, can’t control your moods or find getting out of bed a struggle most mornings, you’re definitely not alonehttps://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a44352/celebrity-quotes-mental-health/ TED Talk – “What We’ll Learn About The Brain In The Next Century”https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_rodriques_neuroscience_s_next_100_years/up-next National Non-Profit Helps Schools With Mental Health & Wellness:Learn more about “Distinguished School of Mental Health & Wellness”. A national non-profit (headquartered in St. Louis) that works with schools implementing a 12-month intensive training program in mental health and wellness (anxiety, depression, trauma, challenging students, perfectionism, teacher self-care, mindfulness, etc.). Schools that successful complete the program are nationally certified and recognized as a “Distinguished School”. More info at: https://www.dsmhw.org/become-a-distinguished-school/ We’re Here To Help!Our practice offers both in-person and ONLINE appointments that are confidential and ultra-convenient. Please let us know if we can be of assistance. We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We can get someone in to be seen with in a few days (if not sooner). Thank you! Follow Me On Twitter (I Follow Back): Take care, Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSWDr. Lena Pearlman & Associateshttps://www.stlmentalhealth.com/655 Craig Road, Suite 300St. Louis, MO 63141314-942-1147doctor@STLmentalhealth.com
11/24/2018 I hope that you are enjoying the holiday weekend! Something To Think About: “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” – John F. Kennedy Did You Know? Less than 50% of youth aged 8-15 with a mental illness received services last year. NPR – “Empowering Kids In An Anxious World” “Kids are play-deprived nowadays,” says Katherine Reynolds Lewis, a journalist, parent, parent-educator and the author of one of those two new books, The Good News About Bad Behavior. And by “play” she means play without screens or adults keeping watch. “Two or three decades ago, children were roaming neighborhoods in mixed-age groups, playing pretty unsupervised,” Lewis says. And this kind of parent-free play helped them develop important skills they’d use for the rest of their lives. “They were able to resolve disputes. They planned their time. They managed their games. They had a lot of autonomy, which also feeds self-esteem and mental health.” https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/07/18/620074926/empowering-kids-in-an-anxious-world NAMI Article – “The Double Standard Of Mental Illness” Mental health conditions are not the only illnesses to suffer from stigma: AIDS, leprosy and obesity are others. However, Princess Diana shook hands and shook the world at the same time. Antibiotics took care of leprosy and obesity receives a lot of attention from the media. But mental health…it still languishes in the shadows. It receives occasional celebrity glances, but I feel like these campaigns actually move mental health further away from understanding. The answer is not more exposure to mental health, but more education. First Aid, CPR and sexual education can be found in schools, gyms and offices. Yet CBT could be mistaken for a television channel and mindfulness still invokes eye-rolling. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2018/The-Double-Standard-of-Mental-Illness TED Talk – “How Can We Bring Mental Health Support To Refugees” The global refugee crisis is a mental health catastrophe, leaving millions in need of psychological support to overcome the traumas of dislocation and conflict. To undo the damage, child psychiatrist and TED Fellow Essam Daod has been working in camps, rescue boats and the shorelines of Greece and the Mediterranean Sea to help refugees (a quarter of which are children) reframe their experiences through short, powerful psychological interventions. “We can all do something to prevent this mental health catastrophe,” Daod says. “We need to acknowledge that first aid is not just needed for the body, but it has also to include the mind, the soul.” https://www.ted.com/talks/essam_daod_how_we_can_bring_mental_health_support_to_refugees/details Therapy Options – In-Person & ONLINE: Our practice offers both in-person and ONLINE appointments that are ultra-convenient. Please let us know if we can be of assistance. We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We can get someone in to be seen with in a few days (if not sooner). Thank you! We appreciate it! Take care, Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates STLmentalhealth.com 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com
Something To Think About: “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better.” – Will Smith Did You Know? In the United States, about 1 in 40 adults & 1 in 100 children have OCD. And according to the World Health Organization, OCD is one of the top 20 causes of illness-related disability, worldwide. “Help & Strategies For Parents Of Children With Challenging Behaviors”: ONLINE webinar & discussion (Limited Space Available) Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Central Time) Raising children and teens is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for parents. It can also be very challenging, frustrating, and anxiety provoking.This webinar and discussion will provide a great deal of information and hands-on strategies to help parents. The training is led by Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW & Dr. Bryan Pearlman, EdD. More information at: https://squareup.com/store/MostValuablePD/item/parent-webinar TED Talk – “Good And Bad Are Incomplete Stories We Tell Ourselves” Heather Lanier’s daughter Fiona has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a genetic condition that results in developmental delays — but that doesn’t make her tragic, angelic or any of the other stereotypes about kids like her. In this talk about the beautiful, complicated, joyful and hard journey of raising a rare girl, Lanier questions our assumptions about what makes a life “good” or “bad,” challenging us to stop fixating on solutions for whatever we deem not normal, and instead to take life as it comes. https://www.ted.com/talks/heather_lanier_good_and_bad_are_incomplete_stories_we_tell_ourselves/details Article – “Teens Are Texting & Using Social Media Instead Of Reading” A new study has alarming findings, but is probably not surprising to anyone who knows a teenager: High-schoolers today are texting, scrolling and using social media instead of reading books and magazines. In their free time, American adolescents are cradling their devices hours each day rather than losing themselves in print or long-form media, according to research published Monday by the American Psychological Association. In fact, 1 in 3 U.S. high school seniors did not read a book for pleasure in 2016. In the same time period, 82 percent of 12th-graders visited sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram every day. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/08/20/for-american-teens-texting-and-social-media-are-replacing-books/?utm_term=.d9d31963ab7d Therapy Options – In-Person & ONLINE: Our practice offers both in-person and ONLINE appointments that are ultra-convenient. Please let us know if we can be of assistance. We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We can get someone in to be seen with in a few days (if not sooner). Thank you! Follow Me On Twitter (I Follow Back): Take care and have a great weekend! Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates STLmentalhealth.com 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com
9-1-2018 We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend! “Around a third of parents still worry that they will look like a bad mother or father if their child has a mental health problem. Parenting is hard enough without letting prejudices stop us from asking for help we need for ourselves and our children.” – Kate Middleton Something To Think About: 11.01% of youth (age 12-17) report suffering from at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. Major Depression is marked by significant and pervasive feelings of sadness that are associated with suicidal thoughts and impair a young person’s ability to concentrate or engage in normal activities. Follow Me On Twitter (I Follow Back): TED Talk – “How I Use Minecraft To Help Kids With Autism”: The internet can be an ugly place, but you won’t find bullies or trolls on Stuart Duncan’s Minecraft server, AutCraft. Designed for children with autism and their families, AutCraft creates a safe online environment for play and self-expression for kids who sometimes behave a bit differently than their peers (and who might be singled out elsewhere). Learn more about one of the best places on the internet with this heartwarming talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_duncan_how_i_use_minecraft_to_help_kids_with_autism Article – “6 Things To Know About Childhood Depression” Childhood depression, on the other hand, is a serious mental health condition that is often overlooked because childhood is largely characterized by emotional shifts and evolving friendships. We expect kids to experience some conflict with friends and other struggles as they learn and grow. On the other hand, parents are not conditioned to look for signs of a major depressive episode in young children. But with the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsing a universal depression screening for adolescents ages 12 and up, it’s time to raise awareness about childhood depression. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2018-04-25/6-things-to-know-about-childhood-depression We Are Accepting New Patients: Our practice sees kids, teens, adults, couples and families in our St. Louis office and ONLINE. We are staffed to ensure that we can get someone in to be seen within a couple days (if not sooner). Please contact us at: 314-942-1147, bryan@STLmentalhealth.com or www.STLmentalhealth.com. Upcoming Online Trainings (Through MostValuablePD.com) (With Graduate Credit Option Through Lindenwood University) Please share with your friends and colleagues. Thank you! 9/5/2018 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Central Time) Explosive, Defiant & Oppositional Behaviors https://squareup.com/store/MostValuablePD/item/behaviors 9/11/2018 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Central Time) Low level Classroom Disruptions https://squareup.com/store/MostValuablePD/item/disruptions 9/13/2018 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Central Time) I’m Sad, Mad & Traumatized… And You Still Expect Me To Learn? https://squareup.com/store/MostValuablePD/item/trauma 9/20/2018 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Central Time) Low Level Classroom Disruptions https://squareup.com/store/MostValuablePD/item/disruptions-1 Take care, Lena Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates STLmentalhealth.com 655 Craig Road, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-942-1147 doctor@STLmentalhealth.com
10 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health in Your Children By: Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW We receive many questions about what parents can do to help promote positive mental health in their children. Below please find 10 ways to promote positive mental health in your children: 1.) Sunlight Find outdoor activities to participate in with your children. Being inside all day, deprives our body of nature’s illumination. Serotonin is released in response to sunlight, which helps raise your energy level and mood. Sunlight deprivation can make a person feel sad and depressed. 2.) Role Model It is very important that you model positive mental health for your children. This includes helping them to observe you when you use positive coping skills to de-stress, relax, and calm down. 3.) Run, Skip, Hop & Move Your Body Exercise helps your physical and mental health in so many ways. Exercise alleviates anxiety. When exercising, the body releases endorphins – which creates feelings of happiness and euphoria. An additional benefit of exercise is that it boosts self-confidence. 4.) Breathe There are so many benefits to deep breathing! Breathing increases neurochemicals in the brain to elevate moods and combat physical pain. Breathing reducing excessive anxiety levels. As you relax your body, you will find that the breathing brings clarity and insights to you as well. 5.) Learn Something New Every Day (Even in the Summer) Having an “a-ha” moment and stimulating your brain has been shown to improve one’s outlook. It also feels good to have new knowledge or skills. This can be something as simple as learning something new on Khan Academy. 6.) Unplug There are many resources and tools that one can access online. As valuable and important as this can be, encourage your children to reduce “screen time” and to unplug. This is something that as a parent you can model for them as well. Find time at home to talk, eat meals, exercise, explore, and other activities that are technology free. 7.) Sleep Getting an adequate amount of sleep is critical for physical and mental health. People who are chronically sleep deprived can feel irritable, sad, angry, and lack motivation to do anything. 8.) Communicate Keep an open line of communication with your child. Help reinforce that you are there for them – even in the tough times. 9.) Happy Place Make sure that your child has a place to go to when they need to decompress, calm down, or reflect. This will give them time and a quiet place to work through a thought, situation, or conflict. They can then return when they are ready. 10.) Balance Help your child to have enough activities that keep them active and interested. Work hard to find balance between school, activities, family time, and time to relax. Over-programming your child can cause stress and an increase in anxious feelings. Perhaps create a list of activities that your child is interested in. Have your child rank their top few choices. You can then work with them to focus on a few of the high interest ones. —– Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice has a team of six licensed therapists that provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. Our staff is here to answer your questions and to provide you information. This is all confidential. We’re Here To Help! Contact Us Today
