Connecticut Children's Blog

Recently, an 11-year-old girl in Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department was asked screening questions by her doctor, including one that seemed unrelated to why she was there: In the past few weeks, had she thought about killing herself? To her mother’s shock, the child said yes. She admitted that she had been thinking about suicide for […]

When our electronics act up, we can usually just unplug to reset them. If only our emotions were so simple. But during moments of stress, there are still some trusty methods for kids and teens – and parents – to calm themselves down. (With months still to go in the COVID-19 pandemic, we could all […]

Life with kids is rarely predictable, but COVID-19 school closures, quarantines, and shifting work schedules have taken things to an extreme. Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD, has tips for creating consistency in all that chaos.     Want more articles like this from pediatric experts you trust? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. […]

Winter darkness and colder weather can cause your child’s mood and health habits to take a dive. To help, start with the basics! Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Melissa Santos, PhD, shares her top five tips. 1. Eat right. Make it easy for yourself: Decide on a meal prep day for your family and spend time […]

By: Vanessa Laurent, PhD, and Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD As the days grow shorter and the hours of sunlight decrease, your child may feel sad or sluggish from the gray skies. For some kids and teens, this feeling may be a more serious problem known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. And the COVID-19 pandemic could […]

With all that’s changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy for kids (and adults) to get stuck on negative thoughts – like how they’re missing extended family, sports or friends. With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays coming up, there may be other challenges ahead. But by learning to infuse a bit of positivity into difficult […]

By: Michael Reiss, PsyD, and Melissa Santos, PhD Friendships are important for your child’s happiness – and health, too. Social interactions strengthen kids’ immune systems, increase motivation and lower stress. Unfortunately, lots of children are separated from friends right now due to social distancing, school schedules and shifting parent schedules. Want ideas to help your […]

By: Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH and Emily Wakefield, PsyD This year has been difficult to say the least. With the holidays approaching – and the challenges and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing – you may be wondering how to help your child cope with the disappointment of things being different this year. […]

Anxiety. Eating disorders. Suicidal thoughts. Uncontrollable aggression. No matter what your child or family may be dealing with, it’s important to remember that you are not alone – and that there are resources to help. Here’s who to contact for information and support. In a Crisis Call 911 if you feel your child is in […]

Youth suicide has been on the rise for the past decade – and with the added stress of the coronavirus pandemic, suicide prevention is more important than ever. Dr. Steven Rogers, medical director of Emergency Behavioral Health services at Connecticut Children’s, shares important tips and resources for parents. Help and support is available. First, every […]