Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day: a time to bring global attention to the urgent public health crisis of suicide and to reaffirm our collective commitment to prevention through compassion, connection, and community.In this special episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Tony Rostain for a deeply moving conversation about love, loss and healing. Dr. Rostain shares the story of the tragic loss of his son, Julian to suicide - a bright, talented young man who battled anxiety and depression, which were greatly intensified by the isolation he experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his story, Dr. Rostain helps Gene and Khadijah explore the healing power of community, love and remembrance while also reflecting on what helped him process the grief and continue his work in mental health.Media ListWorld Suicide Prevention Day 2025 (World Health Organization)Anthony L. Rostain, MD, MA (Cooper University)Sara Rian BooksJulian Memorial – Remembering Julian RostainPack Up Your Sorrows - Richard & Mimi Farina (YouTube)I Love You Dad: Words A Father Will Never Hear Again (MGH Clay Center)Loving the Gone (Amazon)Home | AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)The Jed Foundation (JED)Resources for People who Think About Suicide (National Institute on Mental Illness)Preventing Suicide (CDC) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple!For our back-to-school season opener, we are joined by Dr. Tony Rostain for a deep dive on how ADHD changes from teen to adulthood. They break down the importance of early intervention, the benefits of school accommodations, and why anxiety and other co-occurring conditions can be common in children and teens with ADHD. If you want to understand ADHD better and hear what actually helps, this episode’s for you.Media ListAnthony L. Rostain, MD, MA (Cooper University)The Adult ADHD Tool Kit (Taylor Francis)CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention Deficit DisorderADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder AssociationMake America Healthy Again (MAHA) (Department of Health and Human Services)Including Disability and Belonging in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (MGH Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the summer is usually painted as time of fun, freedom, and relaxation, for many teens it can feel like the exact opposite — disconnected, isolating, and emotionally heavy. Without the daily structure of school or regular peer interaction, teens can find themselves feeling invisible, left out, or unsure of where they belong. In the season 8 finale, Gene and Khadijah dive into the impact summer can have on teen loneliness. Tune in for practical tips for parents on how to help their teens stay connected, the power of self-care and creative expression, and ways to keep your teen busy this summer!We wish you a connected and relaxing summer! We’ll see you back here in August to discuss the transition from childhood to adult ADHD with special guest Tony Rostain, MD, MA.Media ListSummertime: Making The Livin’ Easy With Kids (MGH Clay Center)Over-Scheduled, Stressed-Out Families (MGH Clay Center)11 Self-Care Tips for Teens and Young Adults (MGH Clay Center)Homepage (4-H)Why Activism Is Good For Teens — And The Country (MGH Clay Center)The Vital Role and Methods of Mental Health Advocacy (Shrinking it Down) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are our young people struggling so much? In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Gene and Khadijah dive into the growing youth mental health epidemic. They explore the sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among children and teens since the 1980s—fueled by factors like social media, shifting family dynamics, economic inequality, and systemic discrimination. With only about 11,400 child and adolescent psychiatrists in the U.S. for the 14–20 million young people who need care, the workforce shortage is dire. Gene and Khadijah call for urgent advocacy—encouraging listeners to support change through actions like contacting lawmakers, engaging with local communities, joining peer support efforts, and promoting mental health education. Tune in for a candid, compassionate conversation about how we can all help make mental health care more accessible and equitable for our youth.Media ListAddressing the Youth Mental Health Epidemic (Springer)Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (AACAP)Varying Estimates of Social Workers in the United States: Which Data Source to Use? (NIH)Ways to Help Your Lonely Teen Online Course (MGH Clay Center)Conflict Resolution Course (MGH Clay Center)Active Minds The Power of Peer Support (Shrinking it Down)Why Activism Is Good For Teens — And The Country (MGH Clay Center)If It's Okay To Not Be Okay (See Me Scotland)What’s Up With Everyone? A Youth Mental Health Campaign With Academy-Award Winning Aardman (MGH Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost everyone knows a picky eater, either from their own childhood or from their child's experiences. But sometimes picky eating goes beyond a simple preference for plain pasta. In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah sit down with Dr. Kamryn Eddy to unpack the complexities of ARFID —Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. More than just picky eating, ARFID can significantly impact a person's physical health and social life, leading to growth issues, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional struggles. Tune in to hear more about ARFID, its treatments, and its promising recovery outcomes. Media ListKamryn Eddy, Ph.D. (MGH)ARFID (DSM-5)ARFID (National Eating Disorders Association)Eating Disorders Screening Tool (National Eating Disorders Assocation)  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2024, the CDC reported that 1 in 29 middle school and 1 in 13 high school students vaped in the past month. This statistic is especially troubling, given that 9 in 10 adults who smoke daily first tried smoking by the age of 18.In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Dr. Randi Schuster, Director of school-based research and program development at the MGH Center for Addiction Medicine joined Gene and Khadijah to help educate parents and caregivers to best recognize the signs and symptoms of teen nicotine use and restorative strategies being used in schools. Media ListRandi Schuster, Ph.D.  (Center for Addiction Medicine)Center for Addiction Medicine (MGH)iDECIDETruth Initiative: freedom from nicotine addictionSmoking and Tobacco Use | Smoking and Tobacco Use (CDC)Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)Highlights for the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMSA)My Life My Quit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palisades Fire has been devastating California since the start of the year, destroying over 23,000 acres and nearly 5,000 structures. In this special episode of Shrinking it Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins explore the emotional impact of these fires, sharing strategies for parents to help them manage their own and their family's anxieties about the fires.Media ListPalisades Fire  (MalibuCity.org)California Wildfires Response (Red Cross)Breaking News and Kids  (MGH Clay Center)The Psychological Gift Of Giving A Gift (MGH Clay Center)Climate Anxiety and Kids, featuring Elizabeth Pinsky, MD (MGH Clay Center)10 Self-Care Tips for Parents (MGH Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shrinking it Down will return on January 23rd for a special episode on teen nicotine misuse. Happy Holidays and we hope you have a great New Year! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the recent Advisory, Parents Under Pressure, the US Surgeon General noted that parents are currently more stressed, burned out, and lonely than ever before. The alarming statistics are not all that different than his Advisories on the Youth Mental Health and Loneliness Epidemics that have been escalating since the late 1970s.In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss this new advisory and what parents can do to combat these increased feelings of stress and loneliness.Media ListParents Under Pressure (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Protecting Youth Mental Health (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (U.S. Surgeon General Advisory)Self-Care for Parents (MGH Clay Center)NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Myths About the 12-Step Program (MGH Clay Center)Parental Stress: Practical Tips in Response to the Surgeon General (Clay Center) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's be honest, we're all stressed.We're stressed about climate change, world crises, the upcoming election, or even just the common stressors of everyday life: economic pressures, relationship issues, burnout, you name it. So, with all stress, our conversations can easily become more uncivilized.In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss the key elements of conflict resolution, strategies for civil conversations, and a special role-play scenario to help demonstrate positive conflict resolution.Media ListPolitical Polarization in the American Public (Pew Research Center)Conflict Resolution - 10 Tips for Families (Clay Center)Parents Under Pressure (U.S Surgeon General)Parental Stress: Practical Tips in Response to the Surgeon General (Clay Center) Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you haven’t been through the process with a child before.In part 2 of this series, Gene and Khadijah continue their discussion with Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law. They discuss evaluation results, advocacy, and the importance of destigmatizing special ed. Media ListLearning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) (MGH) Ellen Braaten, PhD (MGH) Eileen M. Hagerty, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP (KCS Legal) Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Mass Advocates) Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips (Shrinking it Down)Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy (Wrights Law)From Emotions to Advocacy by Pamela Darr Wright and Peter W.D. Wright (Wrights Law)Parents Have the Power to Make Special Education Work (Amazon)Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple!   For our season premiere, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law – Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, – to do a deep dive on the special education system. On part 1 of this two-part series, they provide legal and practical tips by discussing the definitions, rights, and processes involved in special education evaluationsMedia ListLearning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) (MGH) Ellen Braaten, PhD (MGH) Eileen M. Hagerty, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP (KCS Legal) Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Mass Advocates) Coping With ADHD: How A Young Man And His Mom Are Managing The Path To Success (MGH Clay Center) Our Greatest Strengths, Part 2 (Shrinking it Down)  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (US Department of Education)Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (US Department of Education)Intro to Processing Speed (MGH Clay Center) What are the Best Treatments for ADHD (MGH Clay Center) Dyslexia 101 (MGH Clay Center) What is Autism (MGH Clay Center)  Massachusetts Advocates for Children Helpline (Mass Advocates)  Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing.For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion and beauty by taking a closer look at Marley’s Pride, a new children’s book about overcoming big anxieties and realizing the power of community. Plus, stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite children’s book!Media ListThe Importance of Stories for Child Health (MGH Clay Center)Barefoot Books - About Us Joelle Retener Marley’s Pride (Goodreads)Mindful Kids Card Deck (Barefoot Books)Berry Song, by Michaela Goade (Goodreads)Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wall (Goodreads)The Snowy Day, by Jack Keats (Goodreads)The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams Bianco (Goodreads)We wish you a story-filled summer! We’ll see you back here in October on the Third Thursday of every month. Until then, be well.Episode music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Spenser Egnatz and Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls. On today’s show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack what every parent should know about disordered eating in boys. They discuss the pressures boys face when it comes to body ideals, the impact of sports culture, and how to recognize signs of an eating disorder in your child.Media List Jason Nagata, MD (University of California, San Francisco) Why eating disorders are affecting more adolescent boys (PBS News Hour) Parents’ perception of their child’s body image (Mott Poll Report) Boys, Bulk, and Body Ideals: Sex Differences in Weight Gain Attempts Among Adolescents in the United States (Journal of Adolescent Health) The real cost of a “Marvel body”: How the pressure to look like Thor and Captain America is hurting men (Salon) Muscle Dysmorphia (National Eating Disorders Association)  Research suggests student athletes face body image concerns, develop rigid eating habits (Clemsen News) Disordered eating and considerations for the transgender community (Journal of Eating Disorders) What Are the Treatments for Eating Disorders? (MGH Clay Center) Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys (Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas N. Zacher) Resource Center (National Eating Disorders Association) 19 of Your Favorite Superheroes: Then and Now (RVCJ) Special thanks to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for connecting us with special guest Jason Nagata, MD.Podcast theme music by Gene Beresin, MD, MAEpisode research by Spenser EgnatzEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence. Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined by special guests John Corbett, MD and Terrance Dolan, MD, two MGH/McLean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows (and lovers of roleplay games) to delve deeper into how it can be used in therapy and at home to support our kids’ mental health. Stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite games!Media ListFollow along with the conversation.John Corbett, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)Terrance Dolan, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residence of MGH/McLean (YouTube - Mass General Brigham)Role-playing (Wikipedia)The use of clinical role-play and reflection in learning therapeutic communication skills in mental health education: an integrative review (Advances in Medical Education and Practices)What Is Family Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)The Positive Value of Conflict Resolution (MGH Clay Center)The Psychology of Video Game Avatars (The Psychology of Video Games)Why do kids love Roblox? (LinkedIn - Education Next)Helping Kids With Challenging Behavior, feat. Stuart Ablon, PhD (YouTube - MGH Clay Center)The Incredible Hulk, TV series (IMDB)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back on the THIRD Thursday of next month!Podcast music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn’t just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety. Today, Gene and Khadijah discuss how to approach your teen if you’ve discovered they are using alcohol, marijuana, or a prescription or over-the-counter drug, and what health risks to know about for each of these.These are hard conversations to have. We hope that ours will help you to have yours.Media ListWhen to Worry, What to Do PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)CDC Report Indicates Teens are Seeking to Escape Worries and Stress Through Drug Use (HuffPost)Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health (US Dept of Health & Human Services)Alcohol & Adolescents, featuring John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP (Podcast) Alcohol - Conversation Starters with Dr. Gene Beresin (YouTube)Asking Adolescents About Alcohol  with Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins (YouTube)Cannabis and the Teen Brain, featuring Jodi Gilman, PhD (Podcast)Once You Have Discovered Your Teen Is Using Pot, What’s the Next Step? (MGH Clay Center) Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC Drugs (WebMD)NARCAN’s Available Over the Counter, Should I Carry It? (MGH, Psychiatry)Addiction Recovery Management Services (MGH, ARMS)When to Worry, What to Do PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)Myths About the 12-Step Program (MGH Clay Center)Find a Treatment Facility (SAMHSA)If you have a question that we didn’t cover, please get in touch. Write to Gene or Khadijah at mghclaycenter@mgb.org. Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan and Spenser Egnatz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have heard of dog therapy and pet therapy. But what exactly is equine therapy?Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and more? Plus, tune in until the end to hear everyone's favorite horse films and TV shows!Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Who We Are (BINA Farm Center)How Much Does a Horse Weigh? (PetMD)Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: Facing Trauma With a horse by Their Side (McLean Hospital)Very fashionable Angel! (BINA Farm, Instagram)Hippotherapy (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)Effect of animal assisted interactions on activity and stress response in children in acute care settings (Comprehensive Psychoneuroendicrinology)How Horses Read Human Emotions (EQUUS)Therapeutic horseback riding for at-risk adolescents in residential care (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health)Effects of Therapeutic Hoseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Int’l Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)Buck (IMDB)The Incredible Dr. Pol (National Geographic)The Black Stallion (1979) ORIGINAL TRAILER (YouTube)Find a Program – Equine Assisted Services (PATH International)New episodes on the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream!Music by Gene BeresinResearch by Spenser EgnatzProduced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference?Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey.Read the episode transcript.Media ListFollow along with the conversation.Senator John C. Velis (malegislature.gov)A Good Day on Beacon Hill (Instagram, MGH Clay Center)Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery (malegislature.gov)Sen. John Velis faces alcoholism one day at a time (CommonWealth Beacon)Could your Honor Student Have an Addiction? feat. Marty Walsh (YouTube, MGH Clay Center)Regional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis’ (Daily Hampshire Gazette)D.A.R.E didn’t work. How can school programs actually keep kids off drugs? (Yahoo! News)MCPAP (MA Child Psychiatry Access Program)Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (The University of Texas System)When to Worry, What to Do – PDF Library (MGH Clay Center)State commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral health (East Boston Times)Peer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, Anxiety (National Education Association)Happy Birthday, Carson! (Instagram, State Senator John Velis)We’ll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.Music by Gene BeresinEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Very special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts joins Gene and Khadijah to discuss legislative opportunities to address the youth mental health crisis. He says a big focus needs to be on schools, for both intervention and prevention.Be sure to tune in next week on the THIRD Thursday of the month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role should prescription stimulant medication play in a child’s ADHD treatment plan? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more.How do you talk to your child about stimulants? What side effects should you watch out for? How do you manage after-school rebound? If you’re a parent trying to navigate the stimulant shortage, Dr. Rostain has advice on that, too. PLUS, some cool info on the history of stimulants.Read the episode transcript here.Media ListFollow along with the conversationAnthony Rostain, MD, MA (Cooper University Health Care)What’s behind the ADHD drug shortage? (WBUR On Point)Stimulant Abuse: Pharmacology, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Treatment, Attempts at Pharmacotherapy (Primary Care via PubMed Central)Ask Ellen: How to Help Your Child Develop Executive Function Skills (MGH Clay Center on YouTube)Is It Safe to Use Stimulants to Treat ADHD? (MGH Clay Center)Understanding the Effects of Stimulant Medications on Cognition in Individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Decade of Progress – Figure 4 (Nature)Adverse Effects of Stimulant Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Comprehensive Systematic Review (Cureus via PubMed Central)ADHD Medications for Children: 8 Questions from Parents (ADDitude)How stimulant treatment prevents serious outcomes of ADHD (Science Daily)Review: ADHD Stigma Is Prevalent Globally (ADDitude)What’s causing the unusually high number of drug shortages in the U.S. (PBS News Weekend)AACAP Comments on DEA Production Quota Notice for 2024 (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back here the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.Music by Gene BeresinEpisode research by Spenser EgnatzEpisode produced by Sara Rattigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.