Parenting the Mental Health Generation

When Glenbrook North High School delayed finals at the last-minute due to the weather, it launched a firestorm of anger aimed at the administration.  In response, student editors at the school newspaper took a stand that brought its own criticism.  In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, we meet the authors of that editorial, Avery Copeland, and Kaitlyn Lu. They share the backlash they faced and why they believe their peers need to "suck it up" in the face of adversity. Tune in to discover how teenagers and parents alike can cultivate resilience and embrace growth in the face of challenge.SHOWNOTES:The Torch Editorial: Students, Suck It UpMusic Credit: Line Up / POND 5©CATCH 2024To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

If you’re stuck in the muck of parenting, you can make positive change without sticker charts and timeouts.  Yes, there is another way, and you’ll find it by searching for glimmers, those minor moments that deliver peace and joy.  During this episode, we meet an artist who made a big life change for the better and shares how you can follow her lead with small steps.SHOW NOTES:B Kez websiteB Kez Instagram (@BKez)Music Credit: Line Up / POND 5©CATCH 2024To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

How often are you or your child checking their grades?  How is that impacting your relationship with your child? In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, we dive deep into the addictive nature of online grade tracking systems for both parents and students. Join us as we look at the toll these systems take on our families and learn how we can break free from what Julie Lythcott-Haims calls the "insidious parent portal." SHOW NOTES00:28 Julie Lythcott-Haims One Week Cleanse00:30 NY Times Article: Snowplow Parents Are Ruining Online Grading02:30 Deerfield Parent Network13:24 Guest's One Week Cleanse Experience and Lessons Learned23:10 PMHG Episode 3 (Season 3) Setting Students Up for Success, A Teacher's Perspectivemusic credit: Line Up / POND 5©CATCH 2024To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Parents are facing real pressures to keep kids active, focused, and accomplished.  But to what end?  The award-winning documentary, Chasing Childhood, emphasizes the importance of free play and independence as the keys to a kid’s success.  In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, we dig into what’s best for our children and offer guidance on avoiding the overparenting trap.SHOWNOTES:Chasing Childhood DocumentaryIf you would like to host an intimate documentary viewing and discussion with your friends, email info@catchiscommunity.org. Music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5©CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

From the intense pressures of the college application process to the societal expectations shaping student extracurricular choices.  Our kids are doing it all.  Are they achieving success?Join Amy O. and Dr. Lisa in a candid conversation with Aimee Wool, a seasoned high school teacher, as they delve into the evolving world of student stress. Wool shares valuable insights into the changing dynamics of education and offers thought-provoking perspectives on redefining success and happiness beyond traditional benchmarks. Tune in to discover the crucial role teachers and parents play in fostering a healthy balance between academic achievement and overall well-being. SHOW NOTES:10:00 The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor 10:30 TEDx Bloomington, Shawn Achor, "The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance" 15:00 PMHG S3 E2: What Really Matters Most in High School May Surprise You music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5©CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

"It's wild to me that we throw all these things at teenagers and expect them to handle it with the grace and poise that a 35-year-old would. And so, if I were speaking directly to teenagers of today, what I would say to them is that it makes so much sense that you feel this pressure. It makes so much sense that you feel stressed out. The environment that you are in is such a competitive and high pressure one that I would feel the same exact way."  Meg Ruocco - 2015 High School GraduateTwo 2015 grads from Glenbrook North High School reflect and share their experiences growing up on Chicago's North Shore in this episode of the pod.  Meg Ruocco and Kathleen Nolan talk with Amy O. and Dr. Lisa about the risks that are worth taking, what they want current high school students to know, and offer parents advice on how best to support their kids.  Meg is currently finishing on her Masters of Fine Arts in screenwriting at Brooklyn College in New York City. Kathleen just started her final semester of a Master of Nursing program at the University of Illinois in Chicago.©CATCH 2023Music Credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

" I guess we shouldn't make up someone else's story," stated a kindergartner after hearing the book Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena.That is the powerful message one kindergarten student walked away understanding from their library time with Tara LaCerra. LaCerra is a beloved librarian at one of our local elementary schools. She sees firsthand how our youths’ mental health has changed over the last decade; the anxiety, the frustration, the struggle to build resilience. And she shares a message of hope noting that stories are still powerful tools for self-identification and acceptance of others. Amy and Dr. Lisa sat down with her to start season three of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, LaCerra talks with our podcast hosts about how stories and conversations create connections with our kids.Check out our Show Notes for all of the wonderful books she brought with her to share during our conversation.SHOW NOTES06:00 Wait Until 8th Instagram10:43 Perfectly Norman, Tom Percival (preschool-3rd grade)11:43 Odd Dog Out, Rob Buddulph (preschool - 3rd grade)12:39 El Deafo, Cece Bell (3rd-7th grades)13:28 Starfish, Lisa Fipps (5th-6th grades)22:22 Milo Imagines the World, Matt de la Pena (preschool-3rd grade)26:46 Don't Feed the Worry Bug: A Children's Book About Worry, Andi Green (preschool-2nd grade)27:06 Parenting the Mental Health Generation: Help! My kid is falling apart! 27:47 Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt (5th-9th grades)30:16 Each Kindness, Jacqueline Woodson (kindergarten-3rd grade)33:55 Dr. Becky's Good Inside website©CATCH 2023Music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

  " You know, once you become an expert in being yourself, navigating the world gets a whole lot easier."  Olivia, from Food Fight Did you know some picky eating is considered an eating disorder?  Extreme cases are now diagnosed as ARFID, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.  Local author and social worker Linda B. Davis is releasing the book, Food Fight, to help readers better understand this mental illness through the eyes of a middle schooler.  In the final episode of season two of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, Davis talks with our podcast hosts, Amy and Lisa, about the teenager who inspired the story and the lesson we can all learn about accepting ourselves. Food Fight (released June 27, 2023, Regal House Publishing) is available at local, independent book stores, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.Linda's Book Launch Events:June 27th Book Bin Event  6-8pm Northbrook ILJuly 11st Book Stall Event, 6:30-7:30pm Winnetka IL SHOW NOTES:NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) Support LineARFID Information from NEDAFEAST (Global Support Group for Caregivers)©CATCH 2023Music Credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Don’t worry about reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic for your young children.  During the preschool years, they learn all they need to know from playtime. In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, Amy and Lisa talk to Sue Carr, Director of Monona Grove Nursery School in Madison, Wisconsin, about the lessons that come from independent exploration with peers. So put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.Music Credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5©CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

How are schools responding to the growing mental health demands of students? In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, we get an inside look at how one local district is stepping up, especially after community-wide trauma.  Jennifer Ginopolis, the Director of Recovery for Township High School District 113, which represents Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools, talks about the deliberate steps they are taking following the July 4th shooting  and reminds us about the connection between mental health and academic performance.SHOW NOTES:Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain   Zaretta Hammond Marc BrackettScott PolandWhat Happened To You? Bruce PerryCASELMusic credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5© CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

 If your child is struggling with anxiety, finding them a therapist is often a great option, but it’s certainly not the only one.  Sometimes, effective help comes from therapy for parents. In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, Amy and Lisa talk with Niki Aquino, LCSW, Mind Chicago, about SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions.So put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.SHOW NOTES:MIND ChicagoEli Lebowitz TedX Talk (founder of SPACE Therapy) SPACE Therapy websiteHave a show topic or guest suggestion? Email podcast@catchiscommunity.orgMusic credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5© CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

How do you respond when a young person comes out about their gender or sexual preference? What do you say when someone makes a homophobic comment in your home? And how do you initiate a conversation about pronouns? In this episode or Parenting the Mental Health Generation, our hosts, Amy and Lisa, talk with Lizzy Appleby, LCSW and Director of the Pride Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth at Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. Together, they dig into understanding and supporting our LGBTQ+ youth. Whether you are parenting an LGBTQ+ youth or want to ensure you are creating a safe space for them, there’s a take-home lesson for you in this episode.So put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.SHOW NOTES:Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook Pride ProgramBook Recommendations: Transitions of the Heart: Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children by Rachel PepperThe Transgender Child: Revised & Updated Edition: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Nonbinary Children by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens by Stephanie Brill  and Lisa Kenney Have an idea for an episode topic or guest? Email us at podcast@catchiscommunity.org.music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5© CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Amy and Lisa sit down with two North Shore filmmakers, Ari Braun and Eden Grunsberg, to discuss their film "The Stigma." The documentary is a raw look into the struggles teens experience in sharing their mental illness with friends. What is so compelling about the documentary is that these filmmakers are themselves teens. Amy and Lisa expand the conversation with Ari and Eden to their thoughts and feelings about their teen world out from behind the camera. Agi Semrad, Founder and Executive Director of The Balance Project, which sponsored the production, also joins the conversation and explains the resources available through this nonprofit.SHOW NOTES:The Balance ProjectA Chicagoland viewing  of The Stigma documentary will occur on May 1st  7-8:30 p.m. at the JCC 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062.Have an idea for a podcast topic or guest? Email us! podcast@catchiscommunity.orgSo put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.Music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5  © CATCH 2023To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

When the Anxiety Monster reared his ugly head one morning at college, a student called his mom. In this essay from the CATCH series, In Real Life, she shares their conversation and the one important question she asked to support him in that moment.You can read this In Real Life Journal post here.Do you ever wonder if you’re the only one struggling with bumps and pitfalls on a daily basis? Listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life, straight from the CATCH Journal at catchiscommunity.org. We’re recording those heartfelt and honest stories from parents and others for those who’d rather listen than read. When you hear people share their most vulnerable moments, you’ll know you are not alone. So put in your earbuds and listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life.To submit a personal In Real Life Blog post email us at info@catchiscommunity.org music credit:PMHG Podcast music provided by Tune 2 go / POND 5This Real Talk music provided by Lagito Music/ POND 5 © CATCH 2022 To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

It took five years, but I finally figured out how to follow the therapist’s advice. In this Essay from Real Life, a mom shares her struggles with managing her anxiety while trying to support her son on his mental health journey. Through a series of trials and errors, can she learn the true value of validation?You can read this In Real Life Journal post here.Do you ever wonder if you’re the only one struggling with bumps and pitfalls on a daily basis? Listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life, straight from the CATCH Journal at catchiscommunity.org. We’re recording those heartfelt and honest stories from parents and others for those who’d rather listen than read. When you hear people share their most vulnerable moments, you’ll know you are not alone. So put in your earbuds and listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life.To submit a personal In Real Life Blog post email us at info@catchiscommunity.org PMHG Podcast music provided by Tune 2 go / POND 5This Real Talk music provided by Play Again/POND 5 © CATCH 2022To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

During this holiday season, why are we surprised when that unwanted guest, Grief shows up? Listen to this Essay from Real Life as one family opens their arms to a young man walking through his journey of grief.You can read this In Real Life Journal post  here.If you’d like to write an In Real Life, email info@catchiscommunity.org.Do you ever wonder if you’re the only one struggling with bumps and pitfalls on a daily basis? Listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life, straight from the CATCH Journal at catchiscommunity.org. We’re recording those heartfelt and honest stories from parents and others for those who’d rather listen than read. When you hear people share their most vulnerable moments, you’ll know you are not alone. So put in your earbuds and listen to Real Talk: Essays from Real Life.music credit: CATCH intro: Tune 2 go/Pond 5Essay from Real Life: Melodrama Studio/Pond 5 © CATCH 2022To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Kids say the darnedest things.  In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, our host’s adult children join the conversation.  Shawn and Luke Oberholtzer, Amy’s kids, are in their 20s, and have some things to say about growing up, the parent-child relationship, social media and more. Our other host, Lisa, is raising two young children and soaks in all the Oberholtzers have to offer.  SHOW NOTES:Articles Luke referenced:https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/young-adults-are-the-most-lonely-data-showshttps://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/To submit an episode idea, email podcast@catchiscommunity.org So put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.Music credit: Tune 2 go / POND 5 © CATCH 2022 To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Fear of going to camp...or is it? Toothpaste flavors, chicken nuggets, and friendship drama are all up for discussion in this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation.   Our hosts, Amy and Lisa, talk with Dr. Natalia Kaczmarek, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Indigo Therapy Group, Northbrook, Illinois about the challenges of parenting, the pitfalls we experience, and how to course correct in a way that really benefits our kids.SHOW NOTES:Dr. Kaczmarek's Practice - Indigo Therapy GroupSo put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.Music credit Tune 2 go / POND 5 © CATCH 2022 To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

Have you spent hours arguing with your teen about cleaning their room  or taking out the garbage when they couldn't seem to even start the chore? Wondering why your middle schooler couldn't start their homework?In this episode of Parenting the Mental Health Generation, Amy and Lisa talk with Stacy Mautner, an ADHD and advocacy coach about these latest buzz words, Executive Functioning (EF). What is it? How do you help your child build these skills? How do you  set realistic expectations for YOURSELF as the parent? And, what is negotiable and non-negotiable when helping your child build their executive functioning skills?SHOW NOTES:How to contact Stacy Mautner for ADHD and advocacy coachingEmail podcast@catchiscommunity.org with topic or guest ideas! We know this to be true;  it can be lonely and scary when parenting a child struggling with their mental health. Community connection is very important. And, CATCH is community.  Lisa and  Amy will show up in this podcast every month to connect with you. Take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation.music credit tune 2 go / POND 5  © CATCH 2022To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.

If you are fortunate enough to sit down for a family dinner, you probably hope for a fun-filled conversation with sharing and laughter. For many, that's not the case. Parents often pepper their kids with questions only to receive one word answers, and everyone leaves the kitchen defeated. How can you change the dynamic and create a space where everyone feels free to talk? Jason Price, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Co-Director, Affiliates in Counseling, Northbrook, offers some ideas on getting your kids to open up... and not just at the dinner table.SHOW NOTES:Affiliates in Counseling Have a show topic or guest idea? Email us at podcast@catchiscommunity.org! So put in your earbuds, take this 30 minutes for you and join our conversation because mental health matters.music credit tune 2 go / POND 5© CATCH 2022 To find all of the resources CATCH provides to caregivers of young people struggling with their mental health, go to www.catchiscommunity.org.Follow us on social media Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @catchiscommunityCATCH, Community Action Together for Children's Health, is a 501(c)3 that provides support and education for families around mental health topics. Original content and materials from CATCH and its collaborators are for informational purposes only. They are provided as a general resource and are not specific to any person or circumstance.