By Hannah Gill, MSW, LSW – February 4, 2026 – When working with teens and discussing emotions, I often give an analogy of sand in a jar. In this analogy, the sand is our emotions. We can put the sand in the jar and stuff it down, but eventually the jar will overflow. Likewise, we […]
For nearly 30 years, Youth First has been carrying out our mission to strengthen youth and families. Our model provides an impactful mental health support system along with prevention programs at no cost to students or their families. Youth First’s story began in the mid-1990s with our founder, Dr. William Wooten. He was an Evansville addictions physician who was troubled by increasingly younger clients experiencing complex problems, often linked […]
By Amy Back, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. One thing I’ve learned from working with children and families is that the language we use matters. The words we choose — often in the heat of the moment — help shape how kids see themselves, understand relationships, and grow into the people they’re becoming.Two phrases that […]
By Jordan Evans, MSW, LSW – January 21, 2026 – Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, express, and manage their feelings in healthy ways. This skill begins developing early in life and continues to grow throughout childhood. Children do not learn emotional regulation on their own. Instead, they develop it through everyday interactions […]
By Jenna Pauli, MSW, LCSW – January 14, 2026 – The popularity of social media and its negative effect on children have become controversial subjects. A growing number of social media platforms are targeting very young children. We are becoming more aware of the negative impacts these outlets and apps can have on a child’s […]
By Lisa Glahn, MSW, LCSW – January 7, 2026 – Returning to school after a break can be challenging for many students, especially after longer vacations such as winter or summer break. Typically, the longer a student is away from school, the more challenging it is for them to get back into their school routine. […]
By Camryn Cater, MSW, LSW – December 31, 2025 – When traveling by plane, we always hear the flight attendants say, “In an emergency, put the oxygen mask on yourself before putting it on your child.” This is to ensure the adult’s safety so they can take care of the child accompanying them. Parents tend […]