Articles by Steven Schlozman, MD and Gene Beresin

December 23, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Should My Child See A Therapist?

One in four people will have a mental health disorder at some point in their life, and half of those disorders begin in childhood. While many of us know someone who’s had to deal with a mental illness in one way or another, many parents still aren’t sure how to assess whether their child needs […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Media Literacy and Mental Health, featuring Common Sense Media – Shrinking It Down

Today’s young people are spending more time online than previous generations, and many parents and caregivers worry about how social media is affecting their mental health, and emotional and social well-being. Strengthening social media literacy skills can help us all better use media as engaged and informed consumers. But what does “media literacy” mean, and […]

December 9, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Tackling Racism Internally to Better Serve Our Communities – A Closer Look at Mass General’s 10-Point Plan, featuring Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH

When it comes to structural racism in health care, commitment to change stems from the top in creating physically and emotionally healthier communities. Today, on ‘Shrinking It Down,’ special guest Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH, Vice President and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), joins Gene and Khadijah to help us understand […]

November 25, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Power of Community Health During COVID-19: A Look at Chelsea, Massachusetts, featuring Mary Lyons-Hunter, PsyD – Shrinking It Down

Since the pandemic, mental health concerns have risen across the country. But in communities that were already underserved, the burden is even greater, as hardships build one on top of the other: risk for illness, food insecurity, being an essential worker, being unemployed, kids not able to go to school, fear of housing evictions, resurfacing […]

November 10, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How Do We Heal From Here? – Shrinking It Down

When the body is injured, it begins the healing process despite the ongoing physical injury. Our minds should be no different. Right now – amidst a pandemic, economic strain, political tension, rising mental illness, and more – we are desperately in need of emotional healing, despite the many challenges ahead. But communities are divided, families are divided, and fear and anger are rampant. How do we heal from here?  […]

October 14, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Talking About ADHD

It’s normal to be distracted or disorganized from time to time. But some kids have more trouble paying attention and staying on track than their peers. In this Parent Strategy Announcement (PSA), Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Ellen Braaten talk about ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). They describe the symptoms of ADHD, and explain how parents […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Adolescent Depression – Shrinking It Down

It’s not always easy to tell whether a teen’s behavior is typical for their age or a sign of depression. In this Parent Strategy Announcement (PSA), Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steven Schlozman explain how parents can assess their child’s behavior, and what to do if they’re concerned. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more […]

October 8, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Coping With Disaster Fatigue: A Guide for Families

Mother nature has not been easy on us, lately. We have shouldered one weather-related crisis after another. The United States has had a record number of wildfires, tropical storms, derechos, and tornados. And these disasters do not include other serious weather-related concerns, like record-breaking heat, droughts, floods, or mud slides. Thousands of families have personally […]

July 29, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Moving Towards Anti-Racism for Our Future Generations, featuring O’Neil Britton, MD – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for “Shrinking It Down.” If you’re Black or Brown and growing up in America, it’s noticeable from a very young age that something feels off. That’s because, no matter where you go, there is a layered, structural unfairness that plays out. The harmful impact of this […]

July 28, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Cómo ayudar a los jóvenes a sobrellevar el dolor y la pérdida durante COVID-19

La nueva pandemia de coronavirus ha planteado una nueva forma de vida para todos nosotros. Más allá de las preocupaciones sobre el contagio, la prevención o la desaceleración de su propagación, y los temores de enfermedad y acceso a la atención médica, una cosa está clara. Todos enfrentamos dolor y pérdida. La mayor pérdida es […]