When it comes to kids, sometimes it can be hard to know the difference between typical sadness and depression.
Results for: Children’s Mental Health
Not Dumb! Kids with ADHD Are Misunderstood
Roughly 1 in 10 kids struggle with ADHD. Many are misunderstood, leading them to not get the tools they need to thrive.
Giving Thanks – The True Impact of Support Services
The impact that mental health support services have on families is vast. Thank you to those who sacrifice so much to help Montana families in need.
Trauma- Its Roots Run Deep into American Culture
The weight of childhood trauma sits heavily on our nation. Learn about it’s effects and how you can impact the future of our most vulnerable population.
Can Childhood Trauma Make You Sick?
Trauma has a huge impact on us. Learn more about this important topic and how you can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth.
Survey Shows Montana Families Hit Hard by Pandemic
The University of Montana recently published a survey showing the true nature of the devastation in Montana left in the wake of this pandemic.
Addiction Doc Says: It’s Not the Drugs. It’s the Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Learn more about the intimate link between trauma and ritualized compulsive comfort-seeking, aka addiction.
It Almost Broke Me. Confessions of a Foster Care Worker
At any given time, roughly 3,000 kids will be in our state’s foster care system. A number that at one point had increased over 80% since I started my career in children’s services a little over seven years ago.
Teen’s Memoir of Depression- “It’s an Invisible Monster”
Jaeda’s story about her battle with depression and recovery is powerful. It’s a reminder to those who are struggling that you aren’t alone.
Times Are Tough! Don’t Forget Kids Are Struggling Too!
It’s important to recognize when kids are struggling so that we’re able to support them. Here are five signs that your child may be struggling with grief.
The Impact of Stress & How You Can Avoid It Breaking You Down
Learn how stress impacts our communities, mental health, and what you can do to prevent it’s negative effects.
Child Sexual Abuse- A Betrayal of the Innocent
In the United States, 1 out of every 5 children will be sexually assaulted before their eighteenth birthday. To illustrate that statistic: in a class of thirty children, at least six have or will be sexually abused.
Youth Dynamics Continues Services Through Pandemic
Youth Dynamics continues to serve Montana kids utilizing telecommunications during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Tips for Helping Kids Through the Coronavirus Outbreak
In order to support families with children staying at home, we have come up with four tips for parents.
Preventing Depression and Anxiety in Children
According to Harvard researchers, a link also has been found between diet and mental health. In addition, excess consumption of processed foods such as soda, candy, processed meat such as bologna, and starches have been linked to depression.
Know the Signs of Teen Dating Violence in Youth
Montana State University graduate student and Youth Dynamics Assistant Area Manager, Kristin Bauwens, explains what adults can look for if they are concerned a teen may be involved in an unhealthy relationship.
She was 11, with an eating disorder. It took her mom to figure it out.
For nearly five months in late 2016 and early 2017, I had a sinking feeling that something was desperately wrong with my 10-year-old daughter, but the doctors and specialists we visited during that time didn’t have any answers.
The Effects of Teen Dating Violence Run Deep
1 in 4 people will experience dating violence. Learn more about this important topic so that you can support someone who is struggling.
7 Myths About Child Mental Health
Psychiatric disorders are not a result of bad parenting — or poor willpower Child Mind Institute - by Harold S. Koplewicz, MD It is easy to empathize with suffering we can see: a child who has lost her hair as a result of chemotherapy, for instance. The suffering of a...
What Every Parent Needs to Know about Building a Kid’s Coping Skills
Coping skills are great tools for kids to have when the stresses and strains of life threaten to slow them down or overwhelm them. It can be useful to think of coping skills as tools. Just like no single tool is right for every home improvement project, no single...
Therapy and Service Animals for Children with Special Needs
Service and therapy animals are proven to make a positive difference Very Well Family - May 22, 2018 Service and therapy animals have become increasingly popular for children with special needs, and for good reason. Research shows that animals can make a huge...
Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs
Stanford Children's Health - June 11, 2018 Many teen suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and appropriate intervention is conducted. The reasons No two teenagers are alike, but there are some common reasons they consider suicide. Many teens who...
The Worry Jar
Laura Radniecki - June 5, 2018 The Worry Jar is a technique for people, especially children, who suffer from worry and anxiety. It helps kids identify, name and release their worries. The idea behind the Worry Jar is simple: 1. Write your worries down on little slips...
How to Help Kids with Social Anxiety
Psycom - May 22, 2018 by Katie Hurley, LCSW Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) isn’t simply a fear of making or interacting with friends. It’s actually characterized by an intense fear of social situations in which the child might be judged or scrutinized by...
Mental Illness in Kids: The Surprising Warning Signs
Everyday Health- April 5, 2018 Few parents are prepared to recognize symptoms of mental health problems in their child. Do you know what to look for? Just like adults, many kids — infants and toddlers included — are plagued with mental health problems. In fact, nearly...
For Kids, Chronic Illness May Trigger Mental Health Issues
Health Day - January 15, 2018 MONDAY, Jan. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- When children learn they have a long-term illness, such as diabetes or epilepsy, they're likely to suffer emotionally, too, a small study finds. These mental health issues surface soon after the...
Building Resilience in Children – 20 Practical, Powerful Strategies
All children are capable of extraordinary things. There is no happiness gene, no success gene, and no ‘doer of extraordinary things’ gene. The potential for happiness and greatness lies in all of them, and will mean different things to different kids. We can’t change...
Here’s how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health
Witnessing violence can have a real affect on kids. Learn more and what we can do to protect our kids!
Many children rely on the emergency room for psychiatric care
Spectrum - October 26, 2016 On any given day, pediatrician Lindsay Irvin estimates a quarter of her patients need psychiatric help. She sees teens who say they are suicidal, and elementary school children who suffer chest pains stemming from bullying anxiety....
The Cost of Budget Cuts Affecting Montana’s Most Vulnerable
It is easy to dismiss the budget cuts being considered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services as an easy way to save money. However, the latest round of proposed cuts to home support services and therapeutic foster care create a potentially serious...