Articles by Steven Schlozman, MD and Gene Beresin

October 11, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Shrinking It Down: The Death of a Pet

You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn. *** Last season, we talked about the benefits of pets for our kids’ mental health. That unconditional love helps our children to build skills and navigate important life lessons. What we don’t tend to think about, though, is that one day our pets will […]

September 28, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Sexual Assault: How to Talk With Your Kids

As a father of four children and grandfather of four, I was personally shaken by the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford yesterday. I thought about my kids growing up, and what they might have experienced or observed and never told me, my wife, or anyone. Last night I had a hard time sleeping. As […]

September 11, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How to Talk to Your Little Ones About Terrorism

After September 11, 2001, lots of little kids across the nation asked some variation of the same question: “Mommy, why did the bad guys attack us?” Kids tend to look for patterns, especially when they’re frightened, so some kids likely took this inquiry even a step further: “Daddy, why do the bad guys hate us?” […]

August 31, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

What Families Should Know About Suicide

Many families are growing more concerned about suicide, especially among young people. Yet, suicide is often preventable when family members, friends, and communities learn how to recognize warning signs and connect those who are struggling with help. What should families know about suicide? Watch the video above for more on: Suicidal Thinking: What You Need […]

August 20, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Building Mental Wellness in Children: What Parents Can Do

Este artículo está disponible en español. Parents are the true experts when it comes to knowing their children, and often the first to notice any changes in their kids’ behavior: Colin was a happy youngster. He had friends, did well in school, and got along with his siblings and parents at home. But in recent months, […]

August 11, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teaching for the Test or Teaching for Real Life?

I have never been good at standardized tests. In fact, I’m horrible. The problem is that in standardized tests, as opposed to general knowledge or understanding of a particular problem, you need to know what the specific question is looking for. But I just don’t think that way. I overthink every question. While many folks […]

June 22, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Shrinking It Down: When Nightmares Become Reality in the U.S. (Special Episode)

You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for “Shrinking It Down.” *** In research that’s been done about kids’ fears, the most frightening thing is losing or being left without a parent. Through the events at the U.S. southern border in the last weeks, we have watched migrant […]

May 29, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Digital Media: For Better or Worse?

It was Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts. I was meeting with a film maker about a possible collaboration on a documentary. We were interested in the impact of digital media on youth. We were considering if our preoccupation with smart phones somehow alienates us from nature, and whether this was particularly characteristic of the younger generation. […]

May 9, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Greatest Strength: Challenges Met With Courage

This blog post is part of a series entitled Real Lives, Real Stories. The following family accounts of their personal experiences have been published with their consent, to support the mission of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and let others in similar situations not feel so alone. Introduction Gene Beresin, M.D. We all have […]

April 25, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

When Survival is Not at Stake: Explaining the Mystery of Panic Disorder

Imagine you’re crossing a street and are almost hit by a massive Mack® truck. You jump out of the way. Your heart is racing and pounding, you’re sweating, trembling, hyperventilating, and short of breath. You feel a pit in your stomach, nausea, choking, and tightness in your chest. Your fingers and toes are tingling. The […]