Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

If this were your kid…

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Dr. G

I’ll try to share some general answers to the “If this were your kid” question pertaining to medication on the basis of diagnosis and clinical presentation. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Controversies, Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When should we question if our child is getting the right treatment?

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Dr. G

There’s an opportunity cost to ineffective treatment. If treatment is not helping, it’s probably hurting…if it’s preventing your child from having access to a more effective treatment.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How long will my child need medication?

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Dr. G

We’d like to think that medication can be a temporary tool to help kids through a rough patch of development. Sometimes that’s true. Sometimes it’s not. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Families, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rick and Kay Warren on Mental Illness

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Dr. G

This is some of the best teaching I’ve ever heard explaining mental illness from a Christian perspective. The video is definitely worth a look Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Adults with disabilities and church attendance…What does the data say?

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Dr. G

We also know that as recently as 2010, an extremely limited data set suggests the burgeoning disability ministry movement hasn’t yet made a statistically significant impact upon church attendance among adults with disabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Inclusion | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Are the medications prescribed to kids and teens with mental illness safe?

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Dr. G

o…what safety concerns associated with medications approved by the FDA for use in kids should be of greatest importance to parents? I’d suggest there are two big ones…along with considerations associated with specific drugs Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Bipolar Disorder, Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How well should medication work for my child’s condition?

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Dr. G

Medication typically isn’t a panacea for kids and teens experiencing mental illness, and in general, the more serious the symptoms of mental illness experienced by children and teens, the lower the likelihood is that medication will lead to an ongoing remission of the child’s symptoms. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When should parents consider non-medical treatment first?

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Dr. G

Many mental health conditions are commonly seen in kids for which medication generally isn’t the first step in a well-developed treatment plan. Today, we’ll look at some situations when parents and clinicians might consider non-medical treatment alternatives first. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Controversies, Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who’s qualified to prescribe medication for my child?

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Dr. G

If you’re open to considering psychotropic medication for your child or teen, you want an experienced clinician who will take the time to fully understand the nature of your child’s difficulties prior to whipping out the prescription pad. You want a clinician who appreciates the benefits and limitations of medication and is capable of recognizing situations when medication makes problems worse. You want a clinician with the time and availability to answer difficult questions when they arise. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Leaning into our greatest fear…

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Dr. G

Matt’s book is really about submission…giving up our agendas and sense of self-sufficiency for a life in which we experience both pain and joy in the process of truly experiencing the presence of God through becoming totally dependent upon Him. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments