Archives: Episodes

Join Steph and Stan as they talk about the upcoming weekend events, back to school fatigue, how the Brady Bunch has infiltrated a network near you, and how you can make rocks rock.

Plus, learn what Strait View Credit Union can do for you.

Todd Ortloff fills in for the vacationing Stan, and Steph makes her triumphant, sun-kissed return to the show after her Hawaiian adventures...and the Clallam County Fair.  Learn about what's happening this weekend, and about the concert happening tonight, August 23rd.  Todd and Steph also talk to Chef Michael from Kokopelli Grill about what's hot and fresh this week.

Let’s Talk Mental Health: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resources

In today’s episode we learned a bit about the importance of early intervention for children with mental health disorders and who to contact if you have any concerns about a child’s mental health.

WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN CHILDREN:

• Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships at home or school.
• Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason — sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing — or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily activities.
• Behavior changes. These include drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to badly hurt others also are warning signs.
• Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.
• Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.
• Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health condition might develop headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness or anxiety.
• Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm. this is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children with a mental health condition also might develop suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.
• Repeated Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

WHO TO CONTACT:

Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have concerns about your child’s emotions or behavior. You can contact:

• Your child’s teacher
• Your child’s primary care provider
• If there are immediate safety concerns parents should either call 911, bring their child to the emergency room, or call the crisis line at Peninsula Behavioral Health at 360-457-0431.

Here are a few more resources that can give more information about children’s mental health:

WEBSITES

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): The mission of AACAP is to promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families through advocacy, education, and research, and to meet the professional needs of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout their careers. They have created a great library of resources for families called AACAP Facts for Families.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH is the premier research facility for mental health conditions in our country. They have put together a clear guide for families about how to identify mental illness in children and what to do if you have concerns. That can be found here.

BOOKS/AUDIOBOOKS/DVDs

Faber, J. and Mazlish. (2013). How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. London: Piccadilly Press.  This book has great advice on how to talk to children about difficult topics. This is available at the Port Angeles Library and also available as an audiobook:

Phelan, T. W. (1995). 1-2-3 magic. Glen Ellyn, IL: Child Management. This book describes a powerful parenting tool that can be helpful for most families. It also has a useful section on how to set appropriate expectations for children based on their age and can help parents to tell the difference between normal developmental stages and concerning behavior. This is available at the Port Angeles Library and also comes as an audiobook or DVD