Every parent is concerned when their children face social and emotional struggles, particularly when there are signs of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, aggression and poor grades. However, most parents don’t realize the important role they play in preventing and ameliorating mental health problems.

Parents readily accept their role in preventing and treating physical health problems. They watch out for fevers, treat bruises and wouldn’t think of neglecting preventive measures like frequent dental care, vision care, annual check-ups and daily hygiene rituals. But few parents spend the same time and energy on their child’s emotional well-being, and with the American Pediatrics Association declaring a mental health crisis for children and teens, something has to change.

Emotional problems are as impactful as physical ailments. Startling statistics reveal that over one in five youth aged 13-18 have experienced a severely debilitating mental illness. These challenges affect academic performance and have long-term consequences, increasing the risk of substance abuse, self-harm and even suicide.

Calls for more mental health services are well-placed, but where are these services going to come from? There was a shortage of mental health professionals serving children even before the COVID-19 pandemic and now the situation has worsened considerably. Like teachers, mental health providers are subjected to increasing demands and burnout is at an all-time high.

So where are we going to find people who are dedicated to children and have the time and resources to help them? Parents are the obvious answer, assuming we can help them understand their role in preventing and treating mental health problems.

There is substantial research dating back more than 50 years showing that parents can be just as impactful as trained therapists. By combining some basic psychological techniques with intuition, parents can make a significant impact on promoting their children’s emotional resilience.

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Lawrence Shapiro, author of the “Secret Language of Children” and an expert in emotional intelligence, advocates that parents spend just 10 minutes a day dedicated to prevention activities which can significantly reduce the likelihood of lifelong issues, such as anxiety and depression. He points out that child therapists use techniques that parents already understand. They play games with children to teach social and emotional skills, they use art to help children express their feelings, and most of all they use “active listening,” which encourages children to communicate their needs and find ways to solve their own problems.

As a former school board member, I have advocated for mental health services in schools. However, we must recognize that schools primarily focus on academic learning and are not mental health agencies.

Parents are the first line of defense in prevention. Practical steps they can take include:

▪ Listening to their children without judgment and showing empathy about their emotional struggles.

▪ Regular family dinners, as studies have shown they can prevent serious problems like substance abuse.

▪ Engaging in family activities and games that promote communication.

▪ Teaching relaxation techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing or yoga.

▪ Implementing reflective listening techniques from the book “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk.”

▪ Establishing clear rules and responsibilities, providing structure and age-appropriate expectations.

▪ Encouraging physical activities, hobbies and self-care practices.

▪ Seeking professional support when necessary from mental health professionals or school counselors.

While schools cannot solely bear the responsibility of providing mental health services, they can play a role in helping parents. The Miami Dade County Public Schools Parent Academy has been serving parents for about 20 years. Its mission is to encourage parents and caregivers to sustain their children’s growth and well-being. During the pandemic, we established and funded a Mental Health Services Department for our students.

Even though they are community resources, engaging clients can be challenging, as parents often juggle busy schedules and may face their own mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential to offer incentives such as flexible scheduling options, evening or weekend sessions, online accessibility and on-site childcare services during sessions.

Encouraging parents to prioritize their children’s mental health requires a collaborative effort. By fostering community-wide understanding, providing resources and incentivizing parent involvement, we can create a culture where every parent recognizes the importance of nurturing their children’s social and emotional well-being.

Marta Perez served on the Miami-Dade County School Board from 1998-2022.

Pérez

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Raising Good Humans Online Summit July 11-14 will be hosted by Mindful Mama Mentor Hunter Clarke-Fields to Help Parents and Kids Thrive

We invite you to participate in our Raising Good Humans Summit that is 100% online with 16 positive parenting expert guest discussions that can help moms and dads build even stronger relationships with their children using mindfulness. – Host Hunter Clarke-Fields

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. (PRWEB)
July 05, 2023

Bestselling Author, Mindful Mama Podcast Host, and CEO of Mindful Mama Mentor Hunter Clarke-Fields announces the Raising Good Humans Summit will be held online this July 11-14, 2023, for free with a Pre-Order receipt for Hunter’s upcoming book, “Raising Good Humans Every Day – 50 Simple Ways to Press Pause, Stay Present and Connect with Your Kids” (New Harbinger Publications Inc., August 1, 2023).

Hunter explains, “We invite you to participate in our Raising Good Humans Summit that is 100% online with 16 positive parenting expert guest discussions that can help moms and dads build even stronger relationships with their children using mindfulness.”

Based on 20 years of meditation and yoga experience, Hunter teaches mindfulness to thousands of parents worldwide, including a recent talk in Egypt. Hunter’s first book “Raising Good Humans” was a mega bestseller that sold 200k+ copies and has 4,300+ Amazon reviews. The highly anticipated sequel is “Raising Good Humans Every Day”.

Anyone can register for this Raising Good Humans Summit to learn from 16 top parenting expert sessions. Participants can gain mindful parenting tips by watching these 30-minute video discussions with Hunter Clarke-Fields and guests.

HOW TO REGISTER for the Raising Good Humans Online Summit: Registration is free for anyone who Pre-Orders Hunter’s new book. To register, follow this 3-step easy process:

• 1. Pre-Order a copy of “Raising Good Humans Every Day” from your favorite bookseller
• 2. Email your receipt to info AT NewHarbinger DOT com
• 3. Learn from the experts on July 11-14!

During this 4-day Raising Good Humans Summit, guests can learn how to:

• Cultivate self-compassion in the face of everyday stress
• Transform generational patterns of reactivity
• Handle mental health challenges
• Discover their own pathway to mindful, conscious parenting
• Navigate an increasingly uncertain world

HOW TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE: Participants can watch these mindfulness parenting videos any time between July 11-14, as they are released. The summit registration also includes on-demand access to all videos in the series for 30 days afterwards. Registration is easily accessed here:

https://mindfulmamamentor.com/summit

Each session will be a fascinating discussion between Hunter and the summit’s Expert Guests to help participants:

• Develop greater self-awareness and embrace imperfection
• Teach your kids about mindfulness and emotional literacy
• Deal with challenges related to ADHD diagnosis
• Parent with compassion, validation, acceptance, and vulnerability
• Meet your child where they are developmentally
• And much, much more!

TOP MINDFUL PARENTING EXPERT GUESTS: The 16 Raising Good Humans Summit Expert sessions will include discussions with these positive parenting experts: 1. Dzung X. Vo, MD, 2. Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW, 3. Shefali Tsabary, PsyD, 4. Gabor Maté, MD, 5. Diana Hill, PhD, 6. Christopher Willard, PsyD, 7. Shelly Tygielski & Liam Asayag, 8. Shauna Shapiro, PhD, 9. Chazz Lewis, 10. Alyssa Blask Campbell, 11. Cathy Cassani Adams & Toni Adams, 12. Lynyetta Willis, PhD, 13. Rhonda V. Magee, MA, JD, 14. Mark Bertin, MD, 15. Erlanger Turner, PhD, and 16. Kara Hoppe, MA, MFT & Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT.

This mindful parenting summit is being sponsored by Sound True Kids, Spirituality Health, The Awake Network, Greater Good Magazine, and Praxis.

LIVE BOOK LAUNCH EVENT – Aug 1, 2023, 6:00pm – NY, NY: In addition to this online summit, Hunter Clarke-Fields will host a LIVE Book Launch Event for “Raising Good Humans Every Day” in New York City on August 1, 2023, at Cocoon. Space is limited to 70 people, and a RSVP is required for this free event that will include special door prizes and book t-shirts for attendees. RSVP via Eventbrite here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launch-party-raising-good-humans-every-day-by-hunter-clarke-fields-tickets-665673345897

The new “Raising Good Humans Every Day” book is different from Hunter’s first parenting guide “Raising Good Humans.” It is a much smaller size book that fits in a purse or small bag with bitesize chapters averaging 3-5 pages. Readers will also find short exercises / action items at the end of each of the 50 chapters. And the new book is even more practical for busy parents to read because it can provide a sense of accomplishment and peace-of-mind faster.

WHERE TO PRE-ORDER – “Raising Good Humans Every Day”

AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Good-Humans-Every-Day/dp/1648481426

Follow Hunter Clarke-Fields and the book news here:

Instagram @MindfulMamaMentor

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmamamentor

MEDIA CONTACT:

Liz Kelly, 310-987-7207

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, E-RYT (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Mindfulness Mentor, Mindful Mama Podcast Host, Global Speaker, Number 1 Bestselling Author of “Raising Good Humans”, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Hunter has over 20 years of experience in meditation and yoga practices and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. She presents talks on parenting, and helps parents worldwide bring more calm and family cooperation into their daily lives. In addition, Hunter coaches smart, accomplished, over-stressed individuals on how to cultivate mindfulness. Hunter is the mother of two active daughters, who challenge her every day to hone her craft! Her work has appeared in CNBC Make It, Parade, Motherhood Moment, The Hollywood Digest, along with on ABC Portland, NBC Milwaukee, and CBS South Bend, Kansas Public Radio, and many podcasts. And as part of her self-care, Hunter likes to do Scottish country dancing. Learn more about Hunter at https://MindfulMamaMentor.com

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A father went to Reddit seeking answers to a question that has been on his mind for quite some time. He wrote into the subreddit r/parenting, wondering about the differences in parenting styles from one generation to the next.

The dad asked if parents are actually doing ‘better than our parents’ amidst a widespread mental health crisis affecting kids today.

“I’ve been struggling with something,” the 40-year-old father said. He explained his belief that “we are doing [a] better job as parents than our parents did with us… even my parents seem to agree we are better parents than they were.”

According to how he sees modern-day parenting, “we seem to be more emotionally available, more present, have more authentic relationships with our kids, and certainly seem to understand emotional and mental health better than prior generations.“ 

Photo : Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

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The dad noted the extreme effects of an “anxiety and mental health crisis in our youth.” According to his experience as a parent, “many teens seem unable to build close friendships successfully.” He described the teens he sees as “awkward, [lacking] confidence, [and] full of anxiety and depression.” 

Despite being ‘better than our parents at being parents,’ the dad questioned why so many kids seem affected by the mental health crisis in the US.

“Often it seems bullying is at least as bad as the prior generation. Focus on the superficial seems to be as strong as ever, maybe worse,” the dad stated. He acknowledged that his observations aren’t necessarily universal, yet he can’t help but wonder— “Are we REALLY any better than our parents at being parents?”

As one person said in the comments, “Both can be true.” They explained that while there’s “far more research available to us as parents these days… we are also raising children in the era of technology and social media.” 

Another person commented on how the increased challenges that this generation of kids seems to face inevitably lead to higher anxiety. As they see it, the current state of the world is harder than ever to navigate.

“If I was a child today practicing school shooter drills, sitting in empty libraries, watching the rise of fascism and erosion of civil liberties against the backdrop of an ongoing climate crisis that older generations seem to be responding with by saying, ‘your problem to figure out,’ I would be anxious too,” they explained.  

RELATED: Parents Of Kids Who Grew Up To Be ‘Jerks’ Share The Things They Wish They Did Differently

According to US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, social media causes harm to kids and functions as a major cause of the current national youth mental health crisis. In a 2023 Advisory Report titled “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” Murthy stated that “there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”

According to the Surgeon General’s report, “up to 95% of youth ages 13–17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media ‘almost constantly.’” 

Murthy stated that “children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment… We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis – one that we must urgently address.” 

Related Stories From YourTango:

Openly acknowledging the mental health crisis in the US is the first step to taking action to solve it.

While it seems that there aren’t necessarily simple solutions or quick-fix answers, the very fact that there are parents like the dad who posted on Reddit, shows that people truly want to create a better world for their kids than the one that currently exists. In a world that often feels hopeless, parents can offer their children hope by validating their experiences and holding space for the wide range of their emotions, all while loving them through their struggles. 

RELATED: 12-Year-Old Daughter Refuses To Talk To Her Mother After Her Baby Sister Cried Throughout Her School Performance

Alexandra Blogier is a writer on YourTango’s news and entertainment team. She covers parenting issues, pop culture analysis and all things to do with the entertainment industry.

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The Ricks family makes conversations about emotions and mental health a regular part of their day. As their kids grow and begin to explore social media, the couple is confident that their kids will come to them if they see something concerning online.

Concerns continue to grow about the impact social media use has on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. According to a new national survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health, half (50%) of parents of children younger than 18 feel their children’s mental health has suffered during the past 12 months because of social media use.

To best understand how social media is impacting their children’s mental health, On Our Sleeves encourages parents and caregivers to sit down and have regular conversations with their children about how using certain social media platforms can make them feel.

Protecting the mental health of children online has also become a conversation outside of the home and on the national level. Between April 2022 and April 2023, platforms like TikTok have introduced new safety measures and some state lawmakers have enacted bills that would limit user access to social media.

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This is a positive step, but parents can’t trust that this is enough. Social media has the ability to increase anxiety and depression in children when used inappropriately, as well as potentially open them up to inappropriate sharing, hurtful language, bullying and more.

However, not all social media is bad. It can help in building a sense of community, relationships and self-understanding. Yet, during the past year, the survey shows the number of Americans who say children’s use of social media has a positive influence on their mental health has fallen to just over one-third (35%), a drop from 43% in 2022. In an increasingly digital world, it’s important for parents and caregivers to understand the pros and cons of social media use and work to maintain open communication about what children are experiencing online.

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We suggest being curious about what children are doing on social media. Take an active role in their social media engagement, instead of simply limiting their exposure, can help them feel comfortable to ask questions, report concerns and seek help when they need it.

It’s also important for parents to encourage open communication at home and model healthy social media behaviors, such as putting their own phones away at the dinner table or while spending time with friends and family. Parents can lead by example and give children the opportunity to practice having open, back-and-forth conversations.

Experts say families who watch social media content together and set clear guidelines for use can help keep the lines of communication open to address potential negative impacts on children’s mood and self-esteem.

Often, what we’re seeing is that if children don’t have these early practices with parents and loved ones, they may go on to struggle as young adults with various life scenarios, such as speaking with their boss, talking to a professor or even communicating with partners and friends.

Unfortunately, fewer parents say they’re comfortable having conversations with their kids about mental health, a drop of 5 percentage points from 91% in 2022 to 86% in 2023. To facilitate these conversations, consistent and open communication is essential. On Our Sleeves provides parents and caregivers with free, easy-to-follow guides and tools to start conversations about what’s happening on social media and strategies on how to set boundaries and keep them safe. Experts recommend:

• Asking kids to show you their favorite video, channel, or online influencer and following up with open-ended questions.

• Developing a family social media plan to minimize conflict, support good choices, and address misuse. On Our Sleeves has a template that can be modified to meet each family’s needs.

• Talking to your kids about how to seek help from a trusted adult if they feel like something unsafe is happening and discussing which parental controls and settings will be in place for social media use and why.

The balance between allowing children to explore social media while avoiding potentially dangerous aspects can be difficult. Through On Our Sleeves, parents can work to build trusting relationships that allow their children to reap the benefits of social media while minimizing the risk of negative outcomes.

For more information and resources to start conversations with children about safely using social media, visit WolfsonChildrens.com/OnOurSleeves.

Andrews

Hoet

Terrie Andrews, Ph.D., is vice president of Baptist Behavioral Health in Jacksonville. Dr. Ariana Hoet, Ph.D., is clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

This guest column is the opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Learn the risks and benefits of social media use for children

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A man, who had been under the care of a community mental health team, died following a period during which his parents raised concerns about his deteriorating mental health, including agitation, panic attacks, depression and suicidal ideation.

Now the deputy Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) has criticised the former Capital and Coast District Health Board for the way it handled his case.

The man, identified as Mr A in a decision released today, had been undergoing treatment from the DHB (now Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley) for various mental health and addiction issues since 2011.

He had an extensive history of mental health battles, dating back at least 47 years, and was in his sixties when he died.

The man received care from two psychiatrists and the crisis contact centre, all of which were part of the CMHT. He was also receiving care from his general practitioner, who was not subject to the investigation.

Despite increased contact with the CMHT, by both the man and his parents, the HDC found there were a number of shortcomings in the documentation kept by staff and in the communication from one of the psychiatrists to the man’s general practitioner, resulting in inconsistent approaches to his care.

The decision says early on in a series of events, the man’s mother contacted the DHB’s mental health team concerned about her son’s mental state. Six days later, she and her son attended an appointment with his psychiatrist, identified as Dr B.

Appointments with this psychiatrist typically occurred monthly, while the man was visited by his mental health care manager weekly.

At this appointment, she raised concerns about her son’s medication and mental state. “Months went by and nothing was done,” the mother told the HDC, saying she felt her concerns weren’t taken seriously by the doctor.

When the psychiatrist wrote to a colleague for a second opinion, he noted the man was doing “reasonably well given his circumstances”.

A month later, the man himself rang the mental health team asking for a reduction in his medication. He said he would refuse all medication if his dose wasn’t reduced.

Dr B approved the reduction, but did not inform the man’s GP who was also closely involved in his care.

Over the following two months, the man contacted the mental health crisis team frequently. He later had another appointment with Dr B, who documented the care plan was “re-framing and positive thinking”.

Eventually, a medically-qualified family friend emailed Dr B with concerns about the man and his medication. The doctor told the woman changing medication would not address the man’s underlying issues.

A month later, the man had an appointment with his GP. He said he no longer wanted to see Dr B. The GP prescribed an antidepressant and sent another referral to the mental health team to request a reassessment, noting the man was becoming more depressed.

The GP also noted communication from the mental health team had been poor.

The DHB later alleged the GP “undermined the deliberate approach maintained by Dr B” over the previous five years.

The man eventually met with a new temporary psychiatrist, Dr D. The exact date the man’s care was transferred was not recorded. Dr D said the man’s symptoms appeared to be in line with a personality disorder.

Two days later, the man-made another call to the crisis team saying he was suicidal. There was no record a mental state examination was undertaken. An ambulance was called to take the man to the emergency department.

Another appointment with the new psychiatrist was held a month later. The doctor deemed he no longer needed to see the man, but the man mistakenly understood he was being discharged from the mental health services. Distraught, he told his parents who contacted the DHB to arrange a meeting.

Before the meeting was held, the man was rushed to hospital after harming himself. Again, the notes did not record a “clear exploration” of the man’s symptoms.

At the meeting with clinical staff and the man’s family, it was decided the focus should be on helping the man in ways other than medication. The man got upset in this meeting and walked out.

Days later, the man’s mother became concerned and contacted the mental health team. The man’s care manager visited his home, discovering he had suffered injuries, suspected to be self-inflicted.

He passed away the following morning. The man’s mother later complained to the HDC.

After the HDC’s investigation, Dr B admitted he should have spoken more frequently with the man’s GP. He agreed to write an apology letter to the man’s family.

Deputy Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell said with mental health care of this nature, it is fundamental that all parties maintain robust documentation and have open and clear communication with other providers.

“On a number of occasions, various staff at the DHB kept poor clinical documentation,” she said. “I consider that the pattern of poor record-keeping highlights deficiencies at an organisational level, for which ultimately the DHB is accountable.”

She also raised concerns about a lack of a “clear actionable plan” for the man’s care after the family meeting. She found the DHB was in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.

She recommended Te Whatu Ora provide a written apology to the man’s family, and provide evidence that it has updated its internal policies to ensure adequate communication between providers and provided copies of the decision to all psychiatrists in the interests of education.

Ethan Griffiths covers crime and justice stories nationwide for Open Justice. He joined NZME in 2020, previously working as a regional reporter in Whanganui and South Taranaki.

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1. Encourage Open Communication: Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings. Be an active listener, validate their emotions, and offer support. Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment can help your child feel comfortable sharing their concerns and seeking help when needed.

2. Promote a Healthy Lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle can significantly impact a child’s mental wellness. Encourage your child to engage in physical activity, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep. A balanced and healthy lifestyle can help children manage stress and anxiety.

3. Teach Coping Skills: Teach your child healthy coping skills to manage their emotions and stress. Help them identify their emotions and provide them with tools to manage them, such as deep breathing exercises, visualization, or mindfulness techniques.

4. Prioritize Playtime: Playtime is essential for a child’s mental wellness. Encourage your child to engage in unstructured playtime, such as playing with toys, drawing, or playing outside. Playtime can help children develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social skills.

5. Limit Screen Time: Excessive screen time can negatively impact a child’s mental wellness. Set limits on screen time and encourage your child to engage in other activities such as reading, playing outside, or spending time with friends and family.

6. Seek Professional Help: If you notice signs of mental health concerns in your child, seek professional help. Mental health professionals can provide the necessary support and resources to help your child manage their mental wellness.

In conclusion, promoting mental wellness in children is crucial for their overall well-being. As parents and caregivers, we can implement strategies such as open communication, promoting a healthy lifestyle, teaching coping skills, prioritizing playtime, limiting screen time, and seeking professional help, to promote mental wellness in our children.

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Navigating the Maze: A Guide for Parents of Older Children

As your children grow older, the parenting terrain starts to shift. Gone are the days of bedtime stories, playdates, and children’s cartoons. Now, you’re dealing with high school homework, teenage angst, and the trials and tribulations of young adulthood. It’s a challenging, sometimes confusing time, but remember: it can also be rewarding as you witness your child come into their own. Here are some key pieces of advice for parents navigating this journey.

Foster Open Communication

Communication is the heart of any relationship and it’s no different with your older children.

Encourage Honest Conversations

Start by encouraging honest and open conversations. This will not only help them feel heard, but it will also provide you with valuable insight into their lives. Remember, communication isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening, too. Respect their opinions and try to understand their perspectives.

Respect Their Independence

As your children grow older, they will crave more independence. It’s a natural part of their development and crucial to their journey towards becoming responsible adults.

Allow Them To Make Decisions

Whenever possible, allow them to make their own decisions. This teaches them to weigh options and understand the consequences of their actions. It might be tough to watch them make mistakes, but these experiences can often serve as valuable life lessons.

Stay Involved and Show Interest

Adolescence and young adulthood are periods of intense growth and change. Despite their increasing independence, your children still need to know that you’re there for them.

Participate in Their Lives

Take an interest in their hobbies and activities. Show up for their events and express enthusiasm for their achievements. It’s important to balance this involvement without overstepping boundaries or infringing on their newfound independence.

Encourage Healthy Habits

As a parent, one of your roles is to guide your children towards a healthy lifestyle.

Promote Balanced Living

Discuss the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Mental health is equally important, so encourage mindfulness, relaxation, and hobbies that can reduce stress.

Parenting older children can feel like walking a tightrope. On one side, there’s the impulse to hold them close, while on the other, there’s the necessity to let them go. However, with open communication, respect for their independence, continued involvement, and guidance towards healthy habits, you can navigate these years successfully. Remember, the goal is not to control their journey, but to provide them with the tools they need to forge their own path.

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Though the rise of remote work has been praised for providing greater work/life balance, many parents are finding that being away from the office can also have serious drawbacks, according to a new study shared exclusively with USA TODAY.

Roughly 4 in 10 parents say that when they work from home, there are times they go days without leaving their house, while 33% say they “feel very isolated,” when working remotely, according to the ninth annual Modern Family Index, conducted by The Harris Poll for Bright Horizons, a global provider of early education, child care and workforce education services.

Their angst comes at a time when employers’ empathy for the challenges of juggling parenting with work is waning, says Bright Horizons CEO Stephen Kramer, leading more moms and dads to again worry about finding accessible, affordable child care while fretting that family responsibilities could derail their climb up the career ladder.

“There should be a real worry about the mental health impact and isolated feelings employees have because of remote work,” Kramer says. “I think ultimately early in the pandemic, employers felt they were providing good support to working parents by offering more flexible schedules, but that’s come at a cost and we’re at a place where providing real supports to working parents is even more critical than the flexible work schedules.”

Flexibility matters but some worry about career

To be sure, many parents cherish the flexibility that a remote or hybrid work schedule gives them.

Among working parents, 36% said they felt somewhat more fulfilled at their current job than they did three years ago, and 58% of that group said flexible schedules were a factor in that satisfaction.

But 35% of parents who work from home part of the time believe their hybrid schedule is negatively affecting their careers, and 40% would like their managers to advise them on how much time they should be in the office.

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Fathers were particularly concerned, with 44% of working dads fearing that if they utilize benefits aimed at work/life balance, it would negatively affect their performance evaluations.

Some may be right to worry. “In the beginning stages of the pandemic and during the most difficult parts … employers were actually quite sympathetic to the challenges of working parents when all the child care centers were closed and schools went remote,” Kramer says. “That has almost completely waned … and the expectation today is that employees will be productive for their employers and at this point they will have figured out how to do their family responsibilities.’’

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Juggling jobs and family

Roughly 8 in 10 parents who work remotely at least part of the time juggle jobs with their family responsibilities during the workday, with 47% running their kids to activities and 44% helping their children with their homework.

A quarter of working parents who are doing that double duty hardly ever mention their workday parenting tasks to their supervisors, while 41% say they sometimes believe they need to hide their personal responsibilities from their co-workers.

Such multitasking is necessary as the search for childcare – already difficult before the pandemic – became harder during the health crisis and has yet to recover, Kramer said.

Remote work is proving challenging for some working parents wrestling with isolation and worries about advancing in their career.

“Given the scarcity of child care, there is really concern about access to child care spaces and places,” he says. In addition to worries about the quality of providers, “there is also a real challenge around affordability.”

Essential or front-line workers who often had to be on-site during the pandemic are particularly hard hit, with the Bright Horizons report finding that 44% say it’s hard to juggle their work schedules around child care as compared to 28% of their peers. Only 49% of those workers say their employers have changed or added benefits that better support them, while 57% of their working parent peers say they’ve gotten such additional assistance.

Child care a constant struggle

But while essential workers have more of a struggle, child care and services for older children remain an issue for working parents across the board.

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“Whether you’re working from home or from the office, the reality is that you can’t be both a productive employee as well as a full-time caregiver,” Kramer says.

Employers are taking heed. Those who offer on-site child care centers are finding “it’s been an incentive for them to get their employees back to the office since those employees who use the center see the worksite not only as a place to work but also as a place to bring their children,” he says.

Backup child care is also becoming increasingly popular, with more than 200 employers that work with Bright Horizons starting to offer that benefit during the pandemic, its largest increase over a two-year period.

JP Morgan Chase’s employees have a mix of schedules, with its most senior staffers back full time, others who can do their jobs with a hybrid schedule on-site at least three days a week, and half their staffers having worked at their locations throughout the pandemic.

The company has 13 on-site child care centers, and since the pandemic has expanded its child care offerings both at corporate locations and near where staffers live.

“The needs of our employees really shifted so we pivoted our strategy,” says Lilly Wyttenbach, head of Global Wellness at JPMorgan Chase.

One key change is enabling employees whose children no longer need child care to access other services. For instance, the company offers subsidized back-up child care to employees 20 days a year. Now they can use four of those hours for their children to receive virtual tutoring.

“We unlocked this benefit of backup child care that tends to be for younger children to a greater number of parents,” said Wyttenbach, adding that the benefit is being used by parents who are both hybrid and in the office full-time as many children continue to catch up academically after falling behind during the pandemic.

Backup child care has been a lifeline for Neha Mehrotra, 32, a marketing manager for PayPal who is the married mother of two daughters ages six years old and six months.

During a two-week period when neither her parents or her mother-in-law were available to watch her infant, “backup care stood (in) for us,” she says. Without the in-home provider who was able to help out, the “hybrid work environment becomes very difficult and in-office work becomes impossible. So in that case, this benefit has really helped.”

Unlike some parents, Mehrotra has also found her hybrid schedule, which allows her to go into the office one day a week and work the rest of the time from home, to be ideal.

“I thoroughly enjoy the flexibility of working from home and also having the opportunity to see my colleagues and have some adult time,” says Mehrotra, who lives in San Jose, California. Having a largely remote schedule after the birth of her second daughter is a sharp contrast to the experience she had working full-time in an office after the birth of her first.

“This time around my daughter came post-pandemic and I was in this new hybrid work culture,” she says. “I can see the vast difference in my mental health. I have time for myself. I’ve given my commute hours to yoga and meditation and … at the end of the day, when I’m done, I open the door and I see my kids.”

Mental health services

For others, however, who are struggling emotionally, mental health support is another key benefit workers are seeking and some employers are aiming to offer.

JP Morgan Chase has a new partnership with Spring Health that will provide customized mental health care plans, free coaching and free therapy that can be scheduled at any time to its U.S. employees and their family members.

“The pandemic exacerbated access and affordability issues” for mental health care, says Wyttenbach, adding that the company has offered off-site and onsite clinicians and counseling for years, but is now enabling employees to see therapists who are part of their health plan’s network without paying a deductible.

Such benefits are necessary, Kramer says.

“There are working parents … who say they go for days without going outside their house. That’s clearly not healthy,” he says. “Others are really concerned about their career mobility given their either hybrid or remote schedule … Ultimately there are things employers need to be doing in order to make that balance more realistic for employees. And providing child support, backup care support and mental health supports are all things they need to do and have started to do coming out of the pandemic.’’

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Remote work jobs are taking a toll on some parents mental health

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“Today is a great day for our service members and our nation,” Teri and Patrick Caserta — the parents behind The Brandon Act — exclusively tell PEOPLE

Courtesy Teri Caserta Teri and Patrick Caserta

The U.S. will soon enact The Brandon Act’s mental health measures to prevent suicide in the military — and the parents behind the law tell PEOPLE exclusively that their late son’s legacy will “forever live on” in the new policies.

Sitting in their Peoria, Arizona, home, Patrick and Teri Caserta frequently glance at their hutch holding the remains of their only child, Brandon.

Brandon, an aviation electrician third class, died by suicide on June 25, 2018, on the flight line at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. After his death at age 21, his parents and friends discovered six notes in which Brandon explained he was hazed and bullied by members and leaders of his Navy helicopter squadron.

After five years of lobbying for confidential military mental health benefits, the Casertas are grateful the Pentagon will announce the enacted measures on Friday, May 5. It will allow others with mental health issues like Brandon to receive help without retaliation, reprimand or going through their chain of command.

“Today is a great day for our service members and our nation to know that DoD has signed The Brandon Act into implementation,” the couple tells PEOPLE.

“Brandon’s legacy of saving lives will forever live on through The Brandon Act and The Brandon Caserta Foundation. We are losing far too many to suicide. Suicide is tragic and senseless. It is 100% preventable. This allows our military force to be stronger and more mentally fit,” adds the couple.

Courtesy Teri Caserta Brandon Caserta

The Brandon Act protects all levels of military personnel and ranks. Service members can invoke The Brandon Act for any issue they may struggle with and encounter, the Casertas said. That includes depression, anxiety, sexual assault/harassment, retaliation, bullying, hazing, toxic and abusive leadership, abusive power, any type of discrimination, disability, gambling and alcohol issues.

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As soon as service members self-report, they will undergo a mental health evaluation. It requires the U.S. Department of Defense to provide annual training on how to recognize when members may need a mental health evaluation.

Related:Navy Veteran Launches Organization to Provide Suicide Intervention Training for Families

Courtesy Teri Caserta Brandon and Patrick Caserta

“Taking care of our people remains a priority for leaders in the Department of Defense and the Department is committed to making lasting, substantial change to improve mental health and address suicide,” Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, tells PEOPLE in a statement.

“We are diligently working to implement National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2022 legislation (Section 704), known as the Brandon Act. Once implemented, service members will be able to request a mental health evaluation for any basis, by initiating a referral through a commanding officer or supervisor,” adds the official. “The new process will require the commander or supervisor to refer the service member to mental health provider and protect the confidentiality of the service member to the maximum extent practicable in accordance with applicable laws and DoD policy.”

Adds Martinez-Lopez: “As the Department continues to work to reduce mental health stigma and encourage help seeking, we want to reinforce that there is a full continuum of mental health and wellness support available worldwide. There are specialty and primary care clinics, embedded behavioral health providers within units, and virtual health platforms.”

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U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced Dec. 15, 2021, that the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that included the Brandon Act.

“For months, I worked with Republicans and Democrats to get the language of the Brandon Act in the defense bill,” Kelly said in a statement at the time.

“Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Teri and Patrick Caserta, and bipartisan support in Congress, our efforts will help us confront military suicide head-on and save the lives of other young service members,” Kelly continued.

Courtesy Teri Caserta Patrick and Teri Caserta

Moulton, the bill’s author, added. “America’s service members shouldn’t have to settle for a broken system that’s incapable of providing them with the mental health support they need, and today’s vote means they no longer have to. This bill is an important piece of Brandon’s legacy — one that will save the lives of so many great American heroes. I’m proud of his parents for fighting to make sure that families of other service members never have to share their experience, and I look forward to continuing to do this work alongside them.”

Related:How to Recognize When a Loved One May Be Considering Suicide, and the Best Ways to Help

According to the 2021 DoD annual report on suicide in the military, 519 service members died by suicide with “young, enlisted male service members found to be at greatest risk.”

The report showed suicide rates for active service members have increased since 2011, although 2021 was lower than 2020. Firearms were the primary method of suicide deaths.

Courtesy Teri Caserta Teri and Brandon Caserta

In addition to having a “great personality,” Teri says her son was “funny, very kind and very generous.”

That makes The Brandon Act the perfect way to honor his legacy. “He really would give the shirt off his back for someone,” she says.

“Here’s a cute little story,” she recalls. “When Brandon started all-day school, we had to set up an account so he could buy his lunch. We noticed that it was dwindling quite fast.”

Courtesy Teri Caserta

His parents asked if he was eating two lunches. Brandon wasn’t — he was purchasing meals for less fortunate kids. Teri told him to continue, which he did through high school.

“He would help anybody who was struggling, whether it was mentally or academically or even with extracurricular activities like track and football,” she says. “He did have the biggest, brightest smile. And he would light up a room when he smiled.”

Related: Parents Who Lost Son to Suicide Ask Strangers to Scatter His Ashes Around the World: ‘This Has Changed Lives’

His decision to join the military caught his parents by surprise. A 22-year retired Navy senior chief, Patrick tried to sway his son’s thoughts, but Brandon was adamant.

“We didn’t know why,” he says. “Then we thought about it. He was in swimming and karate since he was 4. He was in sports year-round, and it made sense.”

Courtesy Teri Caserta Brandon Caserta

Brandon’s goal was to join a police force’s SWAT unit, but he couldn’t do so until he was 21. They said he thought becoming a SEAL would look good on his resume. To support their son, the Casertas bought him a SEAL mask, goggles, fins, snorkel, swimsuit and weightlifting equipment.”

“He wanted this weighted vest that I bought for him,” Patrick says. “I swear, it was like 300 lbs. I still have it and he would run with that on.”

The last time they saw their son was during a visit to Krispy Kreme on the way to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix for Brandon’s return flight. Each of them was in tears.

Courtesy Teri Caserta Brandon Caserta

At work on June 25, 2018, Brandon told a plane captain — over helicopter noise — “I’m sorry for what you are about to see,” ran to the rotating rear tail rotor, jumped, missed and then jumped again and made contact.

“He did this in front of his command and flight line,” Patrick said. In response, they founded the Brandon Caserta Foundation to provide assistance, guidance, education and resources to active-duty service members, veterans and their families.

“We love our military and service members,” Teri said. “That is why we created and lobbied hard for The Brandon Act. We know the Brandon Act along with the other DoD resources will save military lives.”

You can find more information about Brandon Caserta Memorial Scholarship here, and learn more about The Brandon Caserta Foundation here.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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