Articles by Khadijah Booth Watkins and Gene Beresin

January 7, 2021

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Support Kids and Teens Following the Riot In Our Nation’s Capitol

The images of chaos and violence in our nation’s Capitol that many children and teens have been seeing in the media have been disturbing and scary. What’s the impact on our kids? How can we as parents and caregivers help them feel secure in the wake of not just a domestic terrorist act, but one […]

December 23, 2020

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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?  […]

August 19, 2020

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Ways to Emotionally Support Your Teen in Responding to Racism and Racialized Violence

There is so much out there on how to talk to your little ones about the racism and racialized violence going on in our world today. However, there isn’t as much, in the way of guidance, as it relates to talking to your older children, teenagers, or young adults who may still reside at home. […]

September 11, 2017

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

When Teens Talk of Suicide: What You Need to Know

Suicide can be a scary topic to think or talk about. Yet, suicide is often preventable when family members, friends, and entire communities know what signs to look for in a young person, when to worry, and what to do upon any concerns. The multi-media resources on this page share information to help you in […]

September 8, 2017

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

School Refusal: When Back-to-School Is a Struggle

Jump to: Ways to Help Most school-age kids are typically eager to head back to school after a break. Sure, they’ll miss their vacation, but the prospect of seeing friends again, moving up a grade, or even having a new teacher can be exciting. Yet, for a few kids, it’s a nightmare. And when children […]