Depression and loneliness epidemic

Blue Cross Blue Shield reports a 33% increase in major depression diagnoses from 2013 to 2016 while Cigna reports that overall loneliness scores in America are alarmingly high.  The news is worse for young people!  Millennials have experienced a 47% increase and teenagers a 63% increase in major depression.  While there are likely multiple factors a 2017 study …

Families with Holes Foundation Launched

Bryan McMillan and family have turned their pain in to hope and support for grieving families.  Based in Southlake, Texas, Families with Holes, Inc., has but one important mission: to provide grieving families the network of professional, qualified support, comfort, and counseling they need to begin the journey back to living their own unique purpose. …

Coppell Cowboy to Dallas Cowboy

Connor Williams bravely shares his story with NFL.com.  A thank you letter to his bullies.   I hope every child, teen, family, teacher and administrator can read his letter and collectively discuss how they can respond in their schools and community. His relationship with his Dad is equally moving and inspiring.

Teach teens to be nice…to themselves

It’s no secret adolescence is the period of peak stress. Rachel Simmons writes a fantastic article in the NY Times about self-compassion for stressed out teens.  Unfortunately, anxiety and depression have skyrocketed in today’s teens.  Between 2012 and 2015 depression increased 50% in teen girls and college students experiencing overwhelming anxiety reached 62% in 2016. …

Talking to your kids about school shootings

As we all reel yet again from the tragedy yesterday in Parkland, Florida it’s important as parents to be equipped to discuss these issues with our children.  NBC News asked mental health experts how they discuss these tragedies with their own children.  It provides some good ideas about how to communicate and process the events …