Back to school can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking time for parents and teens.  Some children and their families will thrive with the increased structure and routine of the academic year relative to the summer.  Others will struggle with potential academic, extracurricular and social stressors.

Primary care providers are on the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis. Pediatricians are known for their holistic, comprehensive approach to the care of their patients. Treating the whole child involves diagnosis of physical concerns, but also recognition of the interplay between family structures, school environments, daily routines, and life stressors.

Bradley REACH’s mission is to expand access to high-quality mental health care for all adolescents and their families. Fundamental to our mission is a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Bradley REACH Interview: Melissa Marcus

Research has indicated that, relative to heterosexual and gender-conforming peers, teens who identify as a gender and/or sexual minorities (GSM) experience greater psychological distress and higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  One reason for this is the stigma and microaggressions that members of these communities often face, even in healthcare settings. 

Through the Bradley Healing Arts Program, we have the chance to introduce an ancient technology (backed by compelling research) for slowing down racing and intrusive thoughts, downshifting the nervous system from reaction to response, and exploring mindfulness in the full sense of the word – being present on purpose, without judgment, with curiosity and compassion, befriending the body.

When we need teens to tell us what is bothering them, we need to make sure they have the vocabulary to do it. Feeling words never make it onto an ELA vocabulary quiz yet, somehow, we expect teens to tell us what’s bothering them when something is bothering them. And we want details!

Bradley REACH Interview: Brianna Parkinson, LCSW

The structured routine of the school year often provides teens with a sense of stability and purpose. With the sudden onset of summer break, this structure disappears, and many teens find themselves with an overwhelming amount of free time. While the freedom of summer can be a welcome change, it can also lead to boredom, anxiety, and the temptation to engage in unhealthy behaviors if not managed well.

As the summer months roll in, the days become longer, and the sun shines brighter, many of us feel a natural boost in our mood and energy levels. This seasonal uplift is particularly significant for teens and kids, who often spend more time outdoors during their school break.

Teens may turn to substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs as an escape or a way to feel differently, among other reasons. As parents, it’s important to know some of the common warning signs that your teen may be engaging in substance use.  There are also things you can do to support your teen in practicing healthier ways to manage tough emotions like depression, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and anger. 

Being concerned about your teen’s mental health can be a terrifying and lonely experience for any parent.  It’s often hard to distinguish normal teenage behavior from something more concerning, and to know when you just need to be supportive and patient, versus when you need to get outside help. 

Parents often are not familiar with this level of care, so it’s important to communicate that getting intensive, coordinated, interdisciplinary support early can often prevent crisis visits to the ED or avoidable inpatient stays

Healing Arts workshops teach teens teamwork, collaboration, and acceptance. For teens who are moving through the continuum of care – like stepping down from inpatient to partial or outpatient programming – the arts provide sustained healing.

Bradley REACH Interview: Elisabeth Frazier, PhD – Team Lead

In today's fast-paced world, where distractions abound and pressures seem to mount by the day, the need for mindfulness has never been more apparent, especially among adolescents and teens. At Bradley REACH we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of young individuals and we recognize the profound impact that cultivating mindfulness can have on their mental health.

Bradley Hospital has nearly a century of experience in pediatric mental health. We want to share that expertise beyond the children and families that we treat in our inpatient units, day treatment programs and outpatient clinics. By taking a public health approach to mental health and spreading awareness and skills, we can impact far more people.

To celebrate Social Work Month in March we asked three of our social workers what drew them to social work as a career, and how social work makes a difference as part of the Bradley REACH team…

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Diane McLean, MD

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Ilse Carrizales, PhD.