Articles by Gene Beresin

March 18, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How to Help Kids Cope With Situational Anxiety

Este artículo está disponible en español. Anxiety is a way we humans have evolved to protect ourselves. In threatening situations, our brains release of a string of responses that result in rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, hyperventilating, and intense fear – all geared to prepare us for danger. This is the foundation for appropriate and adaptive […]

March 15, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

7 MANERAS DE APOYAR A NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS

El brote de la nueva enfermedad coronavirus (COVID-19) ha causado mucha ansiedad e incertidumbre para todos, incluyendo niños y adolescentes. Durante tiempos estresantes, sin importar la edad, los niños están interesados en saber tres cosas básicas:   ¿Estoy a salvo? ¿Están ustedes, las personas que cuidan de mí, a salvo? ¿Cómo esta situación afectará mi vida diaria? Como […]

March 12, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Importance of Sleep

It’s important for kids to get enough sleep. Experts recommend eight to ten hours each night! But most kids struggle to reach that due to busy schedules and digital distractions. In this Parent Strategy Announcement (PSA), Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steven Schlozman discuss the benefits of sleep and offer strategies to help kids and […]

March 11, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic

You can also read this article in Spanish or Chinese. Gratitude to the MGH Chelsea Healthcare Center and the MGH International Marketing Team for making this possible. The outbreak of the COVID-19 has created anxiety and uncertainty for all of us, including children and teens. During stressful times, no matter what their age, children want […]

March 5, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Breaking News and Kids

During times of “breaking news” coverage we’re all drawn to our TVs, phones, and computers for information. But breaking news can include disturbing themes and content, including violence, natural disasters, abuse, and more. The big headlines today also seem to be more frequent, which can add to our stress levels. What can parents do to […]

February 26, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Is Your Teen an Emotional Sponge? – Shrinking It Down

Peers can be an excellent source of social support, and it’s great that more young people today talk to friends about their emotional challenges. But for every teen who shares, there’s another teen absorbing the info like an emotional sponge. And while it feels good to help a friend, it can also feel overwhelming – […]

February 12, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Nature Vs. Nurture, featuring Jordan Smoller, MD ScD – Shrinking It Down

Is it always nature vs. nurture, or do the two interact? Many parents worry that their own or a family member’s mental health disorder destine their children to struggle in the same way. But, while many psychiatric disorders do run in families to some extent, so do lots of things! Right down to food preferences […]

February 7, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Crying Toddler

There are lots of hard things about being a toddler. It’s hard being tiny.  It’s hard falling down all the time.  And, it’s hard when you’re a 3-year-old who knows what you want, but somehow no one else does. In fact, even if the adults in your life do figure out why you’re upset, they […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Being an Emotional Sponge: Supporting Young People Who Are Supporting Friends

Listen to Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Ellen Braaten talk more about supporting teens who are supporting friends on our podcast. Tune in below, or search for “Shrinking It Down” wherever you get your podcasts. Supporting friends who are struggling can be a valuable thing. Mental health problems among young people are on the rise. […]

January 29, 2020

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Extra Time on Tests: Does It Work? – Shrinking It Down

The answer is, it depends. When “extra time” on tests first began decades ago, the goal was to level the playing field for students with learning disabilities by allotting them the same amount of time that everyone else had. Today, it seems every parent thinks their kid could benefit from extra time on tests, and in […]