Champion for Children's
Mental Health --January 2013
LOOKING TO
FAMILIES AS FIRST
RESPONDER TO
MENTAL HEALTH
In the aftermath of the Sandy
Hook Elementary School shooting, people are
reflecting on what could have been done to avoid
the tragedy. This article suggests that since it is the
families who first see signs of changes in the
mental health of their loved one we should focus
on helping the family get help. Recognizing the
need to support families of those with mental
illness can help get effective treatment earlier. For
more information read this excellent article.
Mood Charting for
Kids
A child goes through a large range of
emotions every day. This is especially true of children with
mental health needs. Keeping track of their mood and
behavior changes is an important tool in helping them stay
healthy. Changes in mood, sleeping habits or reaction to
In This Issue
Families Know Best
Mood Charting
Beating Winter Blues
Sibshops
Quick Links
Allies with
Families
Wrightslaw
Utah Parent
Center
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medications can indicate a need for closer inspection of
their mental health treatment.
Mood charts help parents keep track of the day to day
changes of their child. Subtle differences in mood and
behavior can be tracked over time. This tracking can help a
psychiatrist understand how a child is reacting to
medication, help a teacher understand how a child is
reacting to stress in the classroom and help a parent
understand behavior changes at home. Mood tracking
takes time, but the benefit of a written record of a child's
emotions and behavior is well worth it. Link with this mood
chart that is simple and very visual for children and parents
to use.
Beating the
Winter Blues
Winter is in full force. As the
days get shorter and the nights
get colder, even the best of us
can get a little down. The "winter
blues" are characterized by the mild depression, lack of
motivation, and low energy that many people experience
during this cold season. Luckily, there's a lot you can do to
both prevent the blues from coming on and get yourself
back to normal if they're already here. Read ten tips to
getting yourself feeling good.
Sibshops--Free
recreational
workshops for
brothers and
sisters of kids
with mental
health needs.
For an
upcoming
Sibshop near
you
Contact
Konne
Sincerely,
Allies with Families Staff
"Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory."
Norman Vincent Peale
"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things
which are beyond the power of our will."
Epictetus