Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book and fine booksellers everywhere
Thanks to Ministry-To-Children!
“The most complete special needs ministry resource I’ve ever come across.”
Honored to be in Sharecare Now’s Top Ten online influencers in children’s mental health!
Tag Archives: teens
Are teens “undermedicated” for mental health disorders?
There is very little evidence in this study to suggest that large numbers of teens are getting psychiatric medications that they don’t need. Continue reading
Understanding depression in kids and teens…an epilogue
We’ve put together a resource page for pastors, church staff, volunteers and parents with interest in the subject of depression and teens. Continue reading
If this were your kid, would you give them an antidepressant?
First, I’d point out that the potential benefits of medication appear to outweigh the potential risks, especially for kids with anxiety, but in my experience the risk of an increase in suicidal thoughts/behavior associated with antidepressant medication appears to be greater than zero. In fact, if I had to guess, the risk may be a little higher than what the data has led us to believe up to now. Continue reading
Where do I go for help if I think my kid might be depressed?
It’s been my experience that many churches offer reasonably good short-term counseling and support for adults, but very few will have staff with adequate training or supervision in counseling children or teens. So…where does a parent go to find the right help when they suspect their child needs help for depression? Continue reading
Are they really depressed, or do they have something else?
One of the challenges I face as a clinician when a family comes to our practice because they suspect their child is depressed is teasing out all of the other possible explanations for why their child might appear depressed. Continue reading
Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health
Tagged ADHD, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, children, children's ministry, Depression, diagnosis, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, learning disabilities, medication, OCD, Stephen Grcevich MD, substance abuse, teens, youth ministry
2 Comments
Hot Topics: Are Antidepressant Medications Safe For Kids?
Few topics in child and adolescent mental health have generated as much controversy over the last decade as the debate about the safety of antidepressant medication given to kids. In 2004, the FDA issued a “black box” warning claiming that antidepressant use in children and teenagers is associated with increases in suicidal thinking and behavior, which was expanded in 2007 to include adults between the ages of 18 and 24. In my opinion, the larger controversy about antidepressant use in children and teens is not “are they safe?” but “do they work?” and if they work, what do they work for? Some of those questions were addressed here.
Continue reading
Spiritual Growth Challenges for Kids With Asperger’s Disorder
We spent time this past week reviewing the criteria used to diagnose Asperger’s Disorder, and looked at some of the challenges kids with Asperger’s experience as a result of other conditions frequently associated with the disorder. Today, we’ll use this information to anticipate the obstacles to spiritual growth kids with the condition are likely to encounter.
Continue reading
When Christian parents should seek out a Christian mental health professional
Another situation in which parents of Christian kids should appropriately seek out a therapist with a Christian background occurs when a significant faith component exists to emotions, thoughts or perceptions that are a focus of concern to the parents. Continue reading
Be Not Anxious…Technology as a Ministry Tool for Kids With Anxiety?
What if churches began to make use of available technology to keep kids who struggle to overcome their anxiety engaged with youth ministry? Could kids who are too shy to attend church or participate in small groups connect with a local church through an online worship experience, coupled with discussion facilitated and monitored by a youth pastor or group leader? Continue reading
Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Strategies
Tagged anxiety, cell phones, Key Ministry, Stephen Grcevich MD, teens, texting, youth ministry
1 Comment
Church4EveryChild 