Tag Archive for: YouthFirst2025

Kids and Adults Benefit from Spending Time Outdoors

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By Maggie Robertson, MSW – May 28, 2025 –

Summer is here! The days are warmer, longer, and for most kids, a little more carefree. And to the delight of many parents/guardians, kids have more opportunities to be outside.

It is hard to think of anything better for your mind and body than spending time outdoors. Currently, however, many kids are spending more time inside on electronics. It is important for adults to encourage them to spend time outdoors.

According to the University of California – Davis, there are many benefits associated with children spending adequate time outdoors, including mental and physical health, cognitive development, stress reduction, and environmental awareness. Many studies have found that just spending an hour a day outside can reduce depression and anxiety.

Spending time outdoors is also important for very young children. It can improve gross motor skills, social skills, cognitive development, and creativity. It gets kids moving, creating stimulation, while making them think.

Physical health is one of the most obvious benefits of spending time outdoors. Outdoor play encourages movement, whether it be running, jumping, or climbing. These activities help children develop strong muscles and bones, improve cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy weight. Sunlight exposure also helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and immune function.

Mental and emotional health are also enhanced by spending time outdoors. Outdoor environments reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of attention deficit disorders, offering a calming effect that regulates emotions and boosts mood and energy levels.

Outdoor time fosters children’s cognitive development also. Unstructured play stimulates curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. When kids build and explore, they are engaging in active learning that can’t be replicated in a classroom or on a screen.

Outdoor play can also provide opportunities for collaboration and communication. When children play with others, it builds their vocabulary and social skills. Outdoor play allows for more freedom and self-direction, helping children build confidence and independence.

In addition to all these developmental benefits, being outside is simply fun and fulfilling for children. Climbing a tree, splashing in a creek, or flying a kite brings joy and a sense of adventure that is hard to match indoors. 

Encouraging outdoor play is one of the most effective ways to support our children’s overall health and development. There are endless opportunities and ideas of ways to spend time outside with your littles and it does not have to be expensive. Some examples include a hike in the woods, a scavenger hunt, or a game of tag in the yard. Time outdoors nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, helping children grow into healthier, happier, and more well-rounded individuals.

Adults can also be good role models for children. Let’s all put those electronics away and get outside!

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Should Your Kids Have a Summer Routine?

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By Staci Chambers, MSW, LSW – May 22, 2025 –

“Schools out for summer!” This is potentially one of the most controversial statements of all time – for some, cheers, for others, tears. Summer has the longest and warmest days of the year for kids to enjoy, with a break from structured routines. What could go wrong?

Random sleep schedules, spontaneous pool days, and impromptu picnics may sound ideal to some, but some unexpected and potentially even negative things could pop up. The reality is that children thrive off structure and routine. If the goal is to make meaningful memories and connections with your child, consider implementing some plans and routines in the daily summer schedule.

The main goal in establishing and maintaining a meaningful summer routine for children at home is to be intentional, present, and consistent. These routines do not have to be too strict or time-consuming.

Being intentional with a summer routine can help make it more impactful when connecting with your child. Consider having conversations to assess their interests or desires. Your child may share an idea of an activity they would like to participate in or a new interest they have developed, which will help create plans that are more specific to your child’s interests. It may also present an opportunity for you to introduce your child to a new hobby or activity that you enjoy. These activities do not have to be fancy or all about checking activities off a wish list, but rather more about being intentional in spending time together doing something that promotes happiness.

To be present in your time with your child requires more than just physical presence. Whether you are on an elaborate amusement park trip or a backyard worm hunt, being present and engaged with your child can make all the difference in the experience. Ways to truly be present and show genuine interest may include putting your device away and engaging in conversation. Spending uninterrupted and undivided time with them maintains a good connection with your child during the summer months.

Consistency in your summer routine can mean more to your child and benefit your family more than you may realize. Amid the more unstructured routines that summer break may naturally present, prioritizing quality time with your child consistently can help keep you connected and give your child something to look forward to. These consistent interactions can help promote deeper communication with your child.

Finding stability in the flexibility of a summer break schedule can provide a great opportunity to strengthen bonds within your family. Staying involved, engaged, and connected with your children on a regular basis throughout summer break will encourage relationships that are more positive.

Here are some simple examples of summer activities:

  • Movie nights
  • Nature or neighborhood walks
  • Backyard campouts or campfires
  • Ice cream outings
  • Weekly water days (garden hose, trip to the pool, splash pad, etc.)
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Tracking Your Child’s Development

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By Rebecca Williams, MSW, LSW – May 14, 2025 –

As parents or caregivers, we have so many questions: Am I doing enough? Will my child be successful? Is my child achieving appropriate developmental milestones? Why doesn’t my child want to spend time with me anymore?

These are some of the questions parents may face throughout their child’s development. As a school social worker, I have heard them from parents myself on occasion, and they are not always easy to answer. However, there are some standards parents can consult to see how their child is developing and whether they need extra support.

Psychologist Erik Erikson outlined eight stages of human development. For the purpose of the audience, I will go over the first six.

  1. The first stage is trust vs. mistrust during a child’s infancy. This is the stage where children learn that if their needs are met, they can trust the adults catering to those needs. If their needs are not met, then children often grow to become less trusting in others.
  2. The second stage is autonomy vs. shame/doubt while the child is a toddler. Autonomy allows the child to have independence, thus creating a sense of confidence. However, doubt in the child or dependence on their caregiver can lead to low self-confidence.
  3. The third stage is initiative vs. guilt during the child’s preschool years. If the child’s initiative is taken positively, the child learns that being assertive can be a positive behavior. If the initiative is taken negatively, it can lead children to be shy or timid.
  4. The fourth stage is industry vs inferiority during the child’s early school years. This stage has a lot to do with self-esteem. If children feel like they are having success like their peers, they gain a positive self-image. If they feel like they are not meeting the same milestones as their peers, they can have a negative self-image.
  5. The fifth stage is identity vs. role confusion in adolescent years. During this stage, children are finding out what their identity is. If they are not given the opportunity to explore what their identity is this can lead to role confusion. Don’t be surprised if your children spend more time with their peers and pursuing their own interests at this age. Stages 4 and 5 have a lot to do with a child’s social system and may feel out of your hands, so it’s important to provide support and encouragement when you can.
  6. The sixth stage is intimacy vs. isolation during the young adult stage. This stage is all about forming relationships. Those that can form bonds and relationships well will form a sense of intimacy, while those that are unable to form positive relationships feel isolation.

Now this is not a cut and dry layout. There will always be exceptions and gray areas, but this can be a helpful tool to identify what your child’s needs and milestones are at different ages. Being a parent or caregiver isn’t always easy, but your support, encouragement and care will go a long way toward a child’s success. As your child grows, create a space and relationship with them that promotes open and judgement-free communication.

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Technology and Mental Health – Positives and Negatives for Your Teen

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By Christina Oschman-Vandiver, MSW, LSW – May 7, 2025 –

Technology plays a large role in the lives of students, particularly those in middle and high school. It seems to have become a big part of their lives and their preferred method of communication.

While technology offers convenience, it also presents more than a few challenges.  Whether it is social media, messaging or video games, they all provide a level of communication and anonymity. Students can portray themselves and their peers any way they want, which often leads to the aforementioned challenges.

As a school social worker, I see students using technology and social media accounts at increasingly younger ages. One benefit of students having a social media account is that it offers a way to stay connected with friends and family that may not be local as well as staying abreast of current events. I believe that staying connected with others plays an important role in good mental health, and a benefit of technology as a whole is that it gives students a way to reach out to others and ask for help if needed. 

On the other hand, technology and social media can present quite a few challenges.  Working in a middle school, I see the constant struggle of keeping students off of their electronics during the school day. With the constant use of social media, I have seen rumors spread rapidly, videos of fights shared, and online bullying, to list a few examples. I have also seen social media accounts made for the purpose of ridiculing other students and even teachers. The challenges have increased with the required use of computers by students for classes and classwork. 

Middle school is difficult enough, and adding technology and social media to the mix does not make things any easier. Social media can have a negative effect on a student’s mental health. When rumors are spread or embarrassing pictures are shared, it often leads to feelings of shame, insecurity and self-doubt. Then when others begin to join in, the student may begin to believe what is being said, possibly leading to depression, anxiety, isolation, anger, and loss of friendships. The more people that become involved, the more challenging it is for the student to handle and the school administration to resolve the issue. 

When it comes to mental health, there are both positives and negatives to students using technology and social media. A positive of a student having access to technology is that when they are feeling down or having thoughts of self-harm, they have the ability to easily reach out and get help, whether that be from a friend, family member or hotline number. Another positive is the possibility of finding a community where they feel accepted and others who may have gone through similar situations who can be an inspiration for the student.

A downside is that there are times when students are focused on their devices and the actions of others and become so wrapped up in what someone else is doing that they forget to live their own life. Another downside is that rumors spread very quickly online and the negative effects on mental health increase.

As with almost anything, technology and social media can have a positive or negative impact on mental health. On the one hand, it can be used for community, connectedness, and support. On the other hand, it can be used as a way to spread rumors, deceit and to tear others down. Therefore, it is important to bring awareness to positive mental health and proper use of technology, especially within the middle and high school student populations. 

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Supporting Your Child to Combat Negative Self-Talk

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By Courtney Beitler, MSW, LCSW – April 30, 2025 –

Negative self-talk is a challenge that affects people of all ages and something I witness daily, both in and out of my position as a school-based mental health professional. Whether it involves a loved one or a 7th grader I’m working with, I see how often negative self-talk can have an impact on multiple facets of our lives.

Negative self-talk is an internal dialogue of self-doubt, criticism, and unhelpful beliefs that can limit personal growth and harm one’s self-esteem. For adolescents, negative self-talk can be especially detrimental, as they navigate the complexities of growing up, their peer relationships and the growing academic pressures. Combating negative self-talk requires a combination of self-awareness, strategies and support.

The first step in combating negative self-talk is recognizing when and how it appears. It often falls into common thought patterns, such as catastrophizing (“If I strike out, my life is over”), labeling (“I’m so dumb”) or personalization (“No one likes me”). Identifying these thought patterns allows individuals to challenge these statements and replace them with more balanced perspectives.

Supportive adults can help their child recognize negative self-talk by encouraging open conversations about their thoughts and feelings. A simple question like, “What’s something you’ve been telling yourself lately?” can provide insight into their internal dialogue. Showing some vulnerability by sharing personal experiences with self-doubt and how it was overcome can also create a supportive environment.

One of the most effective ways to combat negative self-talk is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into more constructive ones. Instead of “I’ll never be good at this,” it can be shifted to “I’m still learning; improvement takes time.” This reframing encourages self-compassion and a growth mindset, reducing the harmful effects of self-criticism.

For children and teens, this process can be encouraged by parents reinforcing a positive perception. Instead of responding with, “You’re fine” or “That’s not true,” parents can guide them toward self-reflection. Responses such as, “Is there truth to what you’re saying about yourself, or is this a really strong feeling?” or “What would you say to a friend who felt this way?” Statements such as these can ultimately lead to healthy, constructive thoughts that encourage growth and awareness, rather than self-destructive thoughts that chip away at one’s self-esteem.

Replacing negative thoughts with affirmations may feel unnatural or “fake” at first, but consistent practice can rewire thinking patterns. Affirmations should be realistic and personal, such as “I am capable,” “I deserve kindness,” or “I am more than my mistakes.” Writing these down, repeating them daily, or placing them where they are easily visible (like on a mirror or in a phone reminder) can reinforce their impact. Additionally, creating an environment where achievements are celebrated (without excessive pressure) and where effort is valued over perfection helps reinforce a positive internal dialogue.

Negative self-talk is a challenge that can undermine confidence and self-esteem. By recognizing harmful thought patterns, reframing negative narratives and practicing self-compassion, individuals and families can cultivate healthier internal dialogue and mindsets. Adults and supporters can play a crucial role in this process by fostering open conversations, modeling positive self-talk, and creating an environment where growth and self-acceptance are prioritized. With these strategies, both children, adolescents and adults can learn to listen to their inner “encourager” over their inner critic. 

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Establish Consistent Routines for Children

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By Lori Powell, MSW, LCSW – April 22, 2025 –

Each year on the first few days of school, students appear to be excited and ready to begin their school day. However, later in the week or sometimes even that day, students begin discussing how they feel tired or hungry. Then, suddenly they are angry and upset. Sometimes they are not sure what they need or want. The child just knows that something does not feel right. 

This is the perfect time for the Youth First Mental Health Professional, social worker or counselor in the building to discuss emotions and positive coping skills. After the child is calm, the Youth First Mental Health Professional is able to ask multiple important questions, such as how many hours of sleep the child got last night, whether they ate breakfast this morning, and whether the family has a consistent schedule.

When students do not get enough sleep, they have difficulty learning and regulating their emotions at school. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children ages 6-12 years of age get between 9-12 hours of sleep on a daily basis. Teens ages 13-18 should sleep 8-10 hours per day. 

For example, if the child has to be at school at 8:30 am and the child is 7 years old, he or she should go to bed between 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, depending on the individual child’s sleep needs. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Children who get enough sleep have a healthier immune system and better school performance, behavior, memory, and mental health.”

According to CDC Healthy Schools, eating a nutritious breakfast helps enhance cognitive ability, school attendance, and mood improvement. Children might eat 4-5 meals daily due to the smaller size of their stomachs and their higher metabolisms. Including children in meal planning, eating meals as a family, and having open discussions regarding the importance of a meal schedule will help children understand the importance and participate in the plan. If you have any questions regarding nutrition, please contact your child’s pediatrician, nutritionist, or dietician for recommendations about children and teen nutrition.

It is important that parents involve their children in establishing a consistent routine. The schedule needs to be clear and easy to understand. Children feel empowered and motivated to participate in a new routine when they are able to make suggestions and ask questions about the schedule. The schedule needs to be in an accessible location, such as on the refrigerator.

According to Dr. Laura Markham, “Structure and routines teach kids how to constructively control themselves and their environments.” Children thrive from structure and like to know what is happening at different times of the day. They want to know what time they are eating meals, what time they go to bed, and the time they wake up in the mornings.

Establishing consistent routines can help enhance the child’s mental health and well-being, increase the child’s desire to complete assigned tasks, teach time management and responsibility, and build better connections and communication between the parent and the child.

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Repairing Damaged Relationships with Your Children

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By Emily Bernhardt, MSW, LCSW – April 16, 2025 –

As parents, we can never be perfect. We are imperfect people doing our best to grow and shape the minds of our little ones. To be expected, there are times when we mess up, whether that looks like shouting, slamming a door, or even saying something hurtful to our child. We know these mistakes will happen, so how do we repair the damage after we have hurt our child?

The first step to rebuilding trust is honesty. Many adults struggle with being honest with their children because it feels so hard to be vulnerable with them. We have been taught that we have to be strong and not show our emotions to our children, but that is simply not true. Our children benefit from seeing our real emotions and how we respond and cope with those emotions. Being honest with your child not only models how to cope with emotions; it also shows them they can trust you. In times of conflict with your child, be honest with them about how you are really feeling. When we refrain from sharing with our child, we leave them to make assumptions, which can make the conflict worse.

Practicing humility is another great skill to improve. When we are able to be humble and apologize for our mistakes with our children, that speaks volumes with them. This is something we expect our child to do, so when they see us as adults also taking ownership of our mistakes and apologizing to them it makes them feel heard and respected. When apologizing to your child, try to refrain from saying, “I’m sorry, but…” This sends the message that we are more worried about justifying our actions than we are about apologizing for the hurt we caused.

Remember to be consistent. We don’t want to just use these tools like a bag of tricks we pull out when we mess up. It’s important to be practicing these skills in our everyday interactions with our children. Then, when we inevitably do something wrong, we are more easily able to repair the relationship due to the solid foundation that has already been laid out. Of course, we know that sometimes our children make mistakes that hurt us as well. When this happens, be honest with them. Being honest in this way gives your child the opportunity to learn, grow, and apologize to you as well. If your child is apologizing, try your best not to lay on the guilt and accept their apology. All in all, we know relationships can be messy, but because we care deeply about these relationships, it is important to learn tools to help us grow as parents and in turn, help our children grow. If we can humble ourselves, engage in honest communication, and be consistent with the skills we learn, I truly believe we can repair damaged relationships with our children. No child wants conflict with their parent, so as adults we must step up and do our best to make repairs where we have made mistakes.

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Are You Part of the Sandwich Generation?

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By Amber Russell MSW, LCSW – March 27, 2025 –

When I turned 40, someone told me that your forties are one of the most stressful times in your life. For many, your twenties and thirties often revolve around graduating from college, buying your first home, getting married, having kids, landing a good job, etc. 

This means you and/or your friends are attending many celebratory events – bridal showers, housewarmings, baby showers, birthday parties, and enjoying all of those firsts. You are still spending a lot of time with friends and family. 

Often when you enter your forties, you are raising kids who are still under the age of 18, working to earn a paycheck to support your family and paying bills (which include house and car payments, insurance, and daily living expenses), which often leads to less socializing and gathering with friends. To add to these responsibilities, sometimes individuals in their forties also have the added responsibility of taking care of their parents in one way or another.  

This is where the “sandwich generation” comes into play. I personally did not know this was a thing, but I went to dear old Google to check it out.  

According to an article from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, the sandwich generation refers to a middle-aged group of Americans who serve as caregivers for both older and younger family members at once. The article states that there are over 2.5 million individuals who fit into the sandwich generation.

An article from USA Today stated that, “A growing share of the sandwich generation are millennials, adults born between 1981 and 1996.” An article in seniorliving.org pointed out that, “More than 50 percent of Americans in their forties are now taking care of both their children and senior parents.”

It is hard to juggle a full-time job and care for your children and aging parents. Essentially in one day, you could be transferring a parent into a nursing home, taking your teenager to get their license, attending a program for your preschooler, and trying to work eight hours at your job. This is stressful physically, emotionally, and financially.

An article written by Barbara Field on caregiver.org stated that with so many stressors, over 35 percent of caregivers experience feelings of depression. She noted that the sandwich generation can often experience:

  • Caregiver burnout and feelings of guilt and isolation
  • Excessive rumination about not being a good spouse, parent, or child due to limited time constraints
  • Trouble juggling work, hobbies, relationships, and self-care
  • Psychological challenges as they struggle with being pulled in multiple directions

I chose to write this article because before my dad passed away, I was part of the sandwich generation, and I have no doubt that with a 2-year-old and a teenager I will be part of it again.

The most important thing I learned so far on my journey is to ask for help, which is sometimes easier said than done. Your well is only so deep, and once it is depleted you are no help to anyone. Asking for help could mean finding someone else to transport your kids to practice or scouts. Ask your older kids and/or spouse to help out more around the house. 

It could also mean talking to a therapist about your mental health or joining a support group. It might include saying a prayer and asking for guidance. Even just having a friend you can vent to can be helpful. 

Here are some other tips to take care of yourself while you are busy taking care of others:

  • Manage expectations, self-criticism, and perfectionist tendencies.
  • Look for small wins — positive things that happened in the day.
  • Make time for things you enjoy, whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or watching your favorite TV show
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Pay attention to what you eat to fuel your body. If you are only eating drive-thru or gas station food, it will take a toll on your health.

The bottom line is to take care of yourself while you’re taking care of others. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” You’ll be a better caregiver if you take time to nourish your mind, body and soul first.

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Create a United Front with Your Child’s Teacher

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By Dawn Tedrow, MSW, LCSW, C-DBT – February 26, 2025 –

As a parent, I tried to raise my children with certain core values and principles that are important to our family, in hopes that they would model these values when I was not around. This did not come about easily, and I had to ask myself some difficult questions. “How do I want others to see my children?” I wanted people to think of my kids as kind, honest, and respectful. “What is going to motivate my children to remember our values and act accordingly?” It was important that my children feel empathy and have the courage to stick up for themselves and others.

What values and behaviors do teachers want to see from children in their classroom? Let’s take a moment to look at kindness, honesty, and respect and how these values can motivate your child to have better relationships with peers and teachers at school.

Kindness is smiling at someone or returning something they dropped. It is the act of doing something just because it makes your heart happy. You feel good about doing it without expecting anything in return. It also helps foster empathy so that your child begins to understand how others feel about things.

Honesty is another important value, because it helps teach the child to be truthful about things even if it leads to an undesired outcome. This helps improve their self-esteem and develop deeper connections with people in their lives. Honesty is a great way to teach your child about responsibility and how to be accountable for their actions.

It’s important to teach children to respect not only themselves, but others in their family and community – no matter their age, race, job, etc.  Everyone deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity, no matter who they are.

Our children have a lot of peer influences that may not agree with these values; however, after focusing on these three values, you will also be fostering them to have the courage to make the right decision and treat someone appropriately despite what their friends may think.

Have open and honest conversations with your child around the dinner table about how their friends behave and how they would do things differently. This should be met with zero judgement. Give your child the opportunity to come up with their own solutions, using a lot of praise for good answers. These values will help your child understand that you truly respect their teacher and agree with the rules in their classroom. Modeling this respect will encourage and motivate them to do better in school so you and their teacher will be proud of them. Be sure to praise them for having the courage to continue when things are difficult, as this will help them learn to persevere.

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The Impact of Seasonal Weather on Mental Health

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By Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW – February 20, 2025 –

When thinking about the seasons and the weather, you may not necessarily associate them with mental health. But did you know that the weather can, in fact, have a large impact on your mental well-being?

While not everyone will be affected by the weather in this manner, it is very much a real concern. In fact, according to Mental Health America (mhnational.org), approximately five percent of adults in the United States will experience seasonal affective disorder. Specifically, out of the five percent of adults who experience seasonal affective disorder, also referred to as SAD, 75 percent of those adults are women.

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs annually, typically around the same time every year, and is due to seasonal changes.

Taking a deeper dive into seasonal affective disorder, it is typically caused by a change in the body’s production of melatonin. During the winter season there is less daylight, and with the increase in darkness, the production of the body’s melatonin increases. Melatonin is a hormone which is produced as a response to the presence of darkness. Thus, in the winter seasons, it is noticed that people feel more tired and lethargic due to the higher levels of melatonin the body produces. While it is most likely that seasonal affective disorder is experienced in the winter season, sometimes people may experience symptoms in other seasons as well.

Another way in which the weather and/or seasons can affect our mental health is because we might associate a particular season, such as summer, with family vacations. When that season rolls around, we are reminded of memories from the season, and we may be expecting a similar vacation experience to happen. On the other hand, if that same season comes around and you are not able to go on family trip – let’s say due to finances – that season may bring about stress and have a strong impact on your mental health.

Additionally, seasonal weather can affect our mental health because it may bring about obstacles which may be stress inducing. An example could be the weather in the season of winter. The weather in the winter season varies, of course, according to where you live, but let’s use Indiana as an example. In winter, the weather is typically colder, and we experience the effects of snow and ice. The obstacles snow and ice place on us can lead to higher levels of stress. For instance, perhaps your house loses power because of a winter storm and your family finds themselves in distress.

While we are not able to control the weather the seasons bring, we can take action to help with how the seasonal weather may affect us. If you experience seasonal affective disorder, getting more exposure to sunlight or seeking light therapy may be helpful. Increased exercise can also be beneficial.

If you do not experience seasonal affective disorder, the weather can still create distress and have an impact on your mental health. Ensuring a plan and/or routine for seasonal weather can help. Seeking out community resources can help tremendously as well.

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