One of the biggest challenges caregivers face today is managing screen time. Children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens. Most receive their first smartphone at age 10, and the majority begin using social media by age 12. While limited, high-quality screen time can be educational, […]

Parents in your clinic may casually mention that their children seem to have an insatiable appetite or tend to overeat when feeling upset. These youths might present at their annual physical exams with significant weight gain or even obesity. Fluctuations in appetite are a normal and expected part of development. Distinguishing these typical changes from […]

From political tensions to natural disasters, the news can trigger complex, unsettling emotions and negatively impact mental health. Most children and adolescents encounter current events through social media or friends rather than traditional outlets like newspapers or the evening news on television. This raises concerns about misinformation and sensationalism in the news stories they encounter, […]

For many children, the anxiety of a new school year is not just one of nervous excitement about a new year beginning. For many it may be a youth’s severe concern of about the risk of victimization as a result of peer bullying.  Awareness of the potential that a youth may be experiencing bullying should be part […]

And just like that, summer vacation is winding down and a new school year is upon us. This transition can evoke both excitement and nervousness for children and caregivers alike. Here are some tips to help make the process smoother.  Reestablish Healthy Routines. Start by phasing out less structured habits of summer and getting back […]

We have all cared for patients and families reporting long wait times to see a therapist. And we know that for most patients with moderate-severe mental health concerns, the combination of medication and therapy works better than either intervention alone. Other BHCS newsletters address medication initiation for various behavioral health concerns, but what about non-medication […]

Healthcare provider turnover in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal facilities—often rural, under-resourced, and operating under the Indian Health Service (IHS)—presents unique challenges. Departures of therapists, psychiatrists, or primary care providers reverberate against a backdrop of colonial trauma, centuries of broken promises, and enduring mistrust in federal health systems. For patients and families already coping with […]

Introduction Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRDs), as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), encompass a cluster of psychiatric conditions characterized by excessive and maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to somatic symptoms. These disorders often present in medical settings and are associated with significant […]

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth face disproportionate challenges related to mental health, substance use, and intergenerational trauma. These challenges are compounded by historical and colonial oppression, systemic inequities, and cultural disconnection. In response, researchers and clinicians have developed culturally adapted family therapy models that integrate traditional AI/AN values with evidence-based practices. This article […]

As discussed in a previous newsletter, psychotropic medications, particularly antipsychotics, can lead to clinically significant weight gain. Second-generation antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and clozapine, are believed to disrupt glucose, lipid, and appetite regulation by acting on dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and muscarinic receptors. These medications also influence hormones such as leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin, promoting increased […]