By Nolan Miller, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Throughout the school year, kids are constantly learning new material and building upon their strengths. Even after the first day jitters dissipate and students settle into a routine, new academic and social stressors can emerge that cause anxiety for students. As a parent you want the best […]
Giving Tuesday is a day of global generosity. Whether it is time, money, or advocacy, Giving Tuesday inspires us to give back to the causes close to our hearts. What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Youth First’s programs and services and the positive impact they have on over 50,000 students across Indiana! Learn more about […]
By Beth Greene, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Teens often use social media to socialize. Although the internet is an amazing tool for our children, that reality is that it can also negatively affect their mental health and safety. It is very important that parents stay up to date on the apps their child is […]
By Haley Droste, MSW, LCSW We’ve all heard it at some point: “That child needs to be spanked,” or “My parents did (insert punishment here), and I turned out fine.” Each generation has made significant changes in parenting style for a couple of reasons. One, when you know better, you should do better. Two, the […]
By Jennifer Kramer, MSW, LCSW, Youth First, Inc. I once had a student say to me, “I thought death only happens to people when they get old.” What a world that would be, where everyone got to live long, happy lives. The reality is that loss is very much part of life. Grief is an […]
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation is investing in mental health support for Indiana youth. The organization has awarded a gift of $100,000 per year for three years to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the mental health and well-being of Indiana students. The award was celebrated with a check presentation on Monday, October 24, […]
By Amy Steele, MSW, LCSW, LAC, RPT Telling children “no” can be a difficult task for parents and caregivers. Many parents shy away from saying no, and some will do anything to keep a child from becoming upset. When adults fail to set consistent limits, children miss out on developing the important mental health and […]
By Abby Betz, LSW, Youth First Inc. “I hear congratulations are in order!” If you are currently expecting or recently had a baby, you are most likely still experiencing the joys of welcoming a new child to your life. Although bringing home a new baby is a joyous time, it can also be a challenge for parents. […]
By Jenna Kruse, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Over the last decade, there has been a boom in technology advancement and an increase in screen time for both adults and children. As a result, there has also been a noticeable increase in stress, anxiety, and depression. According to The Very Well Family, the average amount of […]
By Ashley Hale, LCSW “Nobody likes me.” “I hate school.” “Something is wrong with me.” “I don’t care about anything.” As a school social worker, these are common sentiments I hear when talking with students. I think it is safe to say we all sometimes struggle with negative thoughts, but these thoughts are becoming more […]