By Jordyn Bryant, MSW, LSW – November 12, 2025 – In today’s busy world, families are often pulled in many directions with work, school, sports, and endless to-do lists. It’s easy to feel disconnected from one another, even while living under the same roof. One powerful way to strengthen connection and support mental well-being is […]
Grant to Provide Mental Health Support for Morgan County Students Youth First is celebrating the Community Foundation of Morgan County (CFMC) for investing in Morgan County youth and families. CFMC recently awarded $10,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the mental health and well-being of students in Youth First partner schools Bell Intermediate Academy, Martinsville […]
By Hailey Hagan, MSW, LSW – November 6, 2025 – Coping with a loss can be challenging for anyone, but helping children navigate the complex emotions that come with grief is particularly daunting. If you are a parent or caregiver, it is challenging to see the little ones you love in pain. Here are some […]
By Niki Walls, MSW, LSW – October 29, 2025 – When’s the last time you tried something new without worrying about whether you would be good at it? As children, we would happily play and try something new; we were not consumed with thoughts of failure. However, as adults, we often avoid hobbies unless we […]
EVANSVILLE, IN – Youth First honored long-time advocate Tim Hollander at its 2025 Breakfast of Champions, presented by Toyota Indiana, on Tuesday, October 21, at Friedman Park Event Center in Newburgh. Hollander received the Dr. William Wooten Champion of Youth First Award. Hollander’s tireless passion for helping young people recognize their full potential has made […]
By Ashley Underwood, MSW, LCSW – October 22, 2025 – Allowing your child to have independence and responsibility can be challenging. It’s difficult for some parents and guardians to acknowledge that their little ones are growing up. Just a small amount of ownership and responsibility, however, can have a big impact on your child’s development. […]
By Angel Wagner, MSW, LCSW – October 15, 2025 – Anxiety is a common mental health condition that many people deal with. We all experience various levels of anxiety, often characterized by worry, fear and nervousness. Symptoms can range from visible shaking, agitation, and explosiveness to complete shutdown. Anxiety affects children and teens as well […]
By Brooke Skipper, MSW, LCSW- September 8, 2025 – One of the hardest things for a parent is to see their child struggle and not have the power to “fix” it. We all want happy, healthy children. In order to achieve that, however, we must allow kids to experience and understand a whole range of […]
By Missy Johnson, MSW, LCSW, CTRS – October 1, 2025 – As a Youth First Mental Health Professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact our Youth First programs and services have on students, their families, and the broader school community. Having worked in various mental health clinical settings, including inpatient and outpatient therapy, I’ve come […]
By Audrey Angermeier, MSW, LSW – September 24, 2025 – As any parent or guardian knows, setting boundaries with children can be challenging, especially when it comes to following through. Let’s face it, it would be so much easier to give your child what they want or let them do whatever they please all the […]