What Families Can Do to Help Support Kids’ Mental Health This Summer

• Children and Youth, Patients and Families

Summertime provides many opportunities for children to relax from the rigors of school and enjoy time with their families. However, the summertime break from school can also mean a loss of structure in a child’s routine and decreased interactions with their peers, which can negatively impact their mental health. For example, loneliness, anxiety, and depression can increase during the summer when a child no longer has the educational and social protective factors to rely on during the school year.

Cómo apoyar la salud mental de los niños durante el verano

• Children and Youth, Patients and Families

El verano les da a los niños la oportunidad de descansar de las exigencias de la escuela y disfrutar más tiempo con sus familias. Sin embargo, las vacaciones también pueden significar menos estructura en su rutina diaria y menos contacto con sus compañeros, lo que puede afectar su salud mental. Por ejemplo, la soledad, la ansiedad y la depresión pueden aumentar durante las vacaciones, ya que los niños dejan de contar con la estructura, el apoyo y la interacción social que les brinda la escuela.

‘Sharenting’: How Parents’ Social Media Posts About Their Kids May Impact Kids and Families

• Children and Youth, Patients and Families, Teens and young adults

“Sharenting,” the practice of parents posting photographs, videos, and information about their children on social media, is increasingly a part of many families’ lives. It offers a great way to share family updates and children’s experiences and stay connected with friends and family. However, the potential consequences of sharing are also increasingly being recognized by researchers and the public.

Leadership Starts with a Single Step: Help Shape the Future of Psychiatry

The Call for Board Applications is open through September 1. Take the next step by nominating yourself—or recognizing a colleague whose leadership deserves a broader stage.

Poetry and Mental Health: The Healing Power of Poems

• Healthy living for mental well-being, Patients and Families, Treatment

Poetry can support mental health and emotional well-being in several ways. Reading or listening to poetry can remind us of shared experiences such as grief, despair, or hope. It can provide comfort, help people feel less alone or encourage reflection. Poetry can be a safe place to express overwhelming feelings, to say things that are difficult to talk about.