Articles by Sara Rattigan, Communications Director
Sara Rattigan, MS is the former communications director for The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and a public health communicator whose passion has always centered around innovative approaches to health education and health promotion for youth of all ages. At the Clay Center, Sara oversees the production, marketing, and evaluation of all original Clay Center content, as well as the Center's public relations and brand awareness. Prior to joining the Clay Center, Sara served as a health communications specialist at the MA Department of Public Health (MDPH), working with epidemiologists and industrial hygienists to use data findings to inform injury prevention intervention. At MDPH, Sara had the honor of project managing and creatively contributing to Getting Hurt Is Not In Your Job Description, a statewide social marketing campaign to raise awareness among young workers about injury prevention and their rights and responsibilities on the job. After MDPH, she went on to provide oversight at Harvard University for a range of high-level Title IX projects specific to sexual and gender-based harassment education, prevention, and response, including project managing the adaptation of an undergraduate online training module for multiple graduate schools across the University. Sara received her M.S. in health communication from Tufts University School of Medicine, and her B.A. in theatre arts from Fordham University’s College at Lincoln Center, with minors in communications and media studies, and creative writing. To learn more about Sara, or to contact her directly, please see Our Team.
A Gift of Will: It’s How Our Kids Keep Going
June 27, 2024
A Gift of Will: It’s How Our Kids Keep Going
I was talking with a friend who’s been dealing with a lot. In addition to managing several mental health issues, life has thrown them some sad and challenging curves –including valid concerns about family members and their own livelihood. And as their friend, this conversation was hard for me because there was nothing I could […]
Nurturing May – Mental Health Month
April 25, 2024
Nurturing May – Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! This year, our May calendar is inspired by our new guide Ways to Help Your Lonely Teen by Dr. Gene Beresin. He shares actionable, practical advice to help caring adults prevent and lessen loneliness and isolation in children, teens, and young adults. Each day, our calendar gives a tip […]
Grateful May – 2023 Mental Health Month Calendar
April 26, 2023
Grateful May – 2023 Mental Health Month Calendar
Make this May Mental Health Month a grateful one! When you express gratitude, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin. These two neurotransmitters play an important role when it comes to our emotions. Having a regular gratitude practice can help to increase your happiness and well-being and to better cope through challenging situations. This month, give […]
May Mental Health Month 2022
April 28, 2022
May Mental Health Month 2022
It’s May, Mental Health Awareness Month! What better way to learn and engage those around you than with a calendar of content and activities. The mental health of our children, teens, and young adults has never been more important. Please join us this month in shining light on mental health through education and outreach! Download […]
9 Self-Care Tips for Teachers
January 20, 2021
9 Self-Care Tips for Teachers
Since COVID-19, teachers have continued to feel additional pressures on top of their already demanding work lives: Being responsible for teaching and emotionally supporting students Responding to increased parent communications, through multiple online platforms Creating innovative ways to interact remotely, and navigating the technology to do it Being prepared to offer hybrid meetings and events (both in-person and remote) to parents and others These […]
Ask Ellen: How to Respond to Your Child’s Big Emotions
November 24, 2020
Ask Ellen: How to Respond to Your Child’s Big Emotions
During challenging times, it’s normal for families to feel overwhelmed and anxious. But kids don’t always have the necessary skills to cope with those emotions, and this can sometimes lead to tantrums and meltdowns. What can parents do in these situations? In our latest Ask Ellen Q&A, child psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten took questions directly from parents, […]
Ask Ellen: How to Develop Your Child’s Executive Function Skills
September 15, 2020
Ask Ellen: How to Develop Your Child’s Executive Function Skills
Executive function skills are essential for kids to thrive at school and at home. Planning, staying organized, and managing time are important for academic success and balancing the responsibilities of daily life. But what if your child is struggling with these skills? In our latest Ask Ellen Live Q&A, our co-director Dr. Ellen Braaten took questions directly […]
May – Meditation Challenge
May 2, 2020
May – Meditation Challenge
Every day is time for supporting our mental health, but this year families everywhere are in need of extra hope, support, endurance, and moments of calm. This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we hope you’ll accept our meditation challenge. As parents, grandparents, teachers, community workers, and other caring adults, it’s important to take care […]
Young Healthy Minds: Shining Light on Mental Health Through Education
December 19, 2018
Young Healthy Minds: Shining Light on Mental Health Through Education
Here at The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, we know that there just aren’t enough child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers — anyone who helps to take care of kids — to go around. Yet there is an incredible need for resources to help support the mental, behavioral, and emotional well-being of our future generation. […]
HOME: Bringing Voice to Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness
November 22, 2018
HOME: Bringing Voice to Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness
Ask your children or the young people in your life: “What is a home?” “What do you want to be when you grow up?” How do their answers compare to the children in this video? No matter their background, no matter where they live, all children have hopes and dreams. We can all play a […]
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