McDowell Center for Children

Exercise is not just about getting fit, it's about feeling fantastic from the inside out! Whether it's a yoga session, a dance class, a jog in the park, or any other form of exercise you enjoy, prioritize your mental well-being and make it a part of your routine. Your mind and body will thank you!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, remove stigma, educate communities, and advocate for those struggling with their mental health. We are here to let you know that there is hope, you are worthy, and you are not alone!

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to protecting our freedom inspire us every day. 🇺🇸

Many kids face peer pressure related to underage drinking. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and it can cause them enormous health and safety risks. Parents and teachers can play a meaningful role in shaping youth’s attitudes toward drinking. Parents, in particular, can have either a positive or negative influence through their own actions. To get the facts about underage drinking, visit http://spklr.io/6181lqlF.

We are excited to be nearing the completion of an additional space for our partial hospitalization day treatment program. This program is designed for males and females between the ages of 12 to 17 who are experiencing mental health or substance use issues. For more information, please call our admissions department at 901-758-2002.

Every March, National Social Work Month recognizes the dedication and empathy social workers across the country deliver while providing services to children and adults in need. Social workers are advocates, advisors, counselors, and facilitators in schools, clinics, businesses, and government offices. We are incredibly thankful for all the social workers who are changing lives throughout our local communities.

As part of our Black History Month observances, we recently took some of our patients to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.

Did you know that we offer an accredited academic program in addition to our therapeutic program for boys? We offer traditional and experiential learning in the classroom, and we are especially proud of our very own Discovery Museum!

We are proud to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Today marks the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, and all Americans are encouraged to find ways to give back to their local communities. To find volunteering opportunities near you, visit http://spklr.io/6188WPMn.

From our family to yours, we hope that your day is filled with love, laughter, and warm memories. Happy Holidays!

The holidays can provide us with plenty of joy and happiness, but for many, this time of year can also cause an increase in anxiety. Here are some simple tips for decreasing your anxiety levels around the holidays.

The staff have decorated our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) building with holiday decorations for the kids to enjoy. Our PHP offers individual and group therapy, medication management, and education services to adolescents between the ages of 10 to 17 who are experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues. The program meets Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30. p.m.
To learn more about all of our outpatient programming options, visit http://spklr.io/6185mFQR.

Everyone deals with some level of stress in their lives, but it's important to manage that stress before it begins negatively impacting your mental and physical health. The good news is that there are many healthy ways to practice self-care and lower stress levels!

It's Handwashing Awareness Week! Germs are everywhere, so make handwashing with soap and water a healthy habit to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. To learn about the science behind handwashing, visit http://spklr.io/6181mxfv

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! We hope your day is filled with warmth, joy, and gratitude.

As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, we want to show our gratitude for some of our very own Veterans on staff. Thank you for your service to our country and our patients!

The kids had a blast painting pumpkins as part of their art therapy group. We are always amazed by their talent and creativity!

Here are some simple tips to help ensure that your family's Halloween celebrations stay safe and spooky. 🎃

Today is Lock Your Meds Day, part of a national campaign designed to reduce prescription drug abuse by making adults aware that they are the “unwitting suppliers” of prescription medications being used in unintended ways, especially by young people. To learn more, visit https://lockyourmeds.org/.

Don't look now, but it's cold, flu and covid season. If you find yourself dealing with a viral infection, here are seven tips to help you recover and get back to the things you enjoy.

October is ADHD Awareness Month. Contrary to what has become a pervasive myth, not everyone has a "little ADHD." The structure, volume, chemical activity and communication pathways in the brains of people with ADHD are different from those without. To learn more about the facts of ADHD, visit https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/adhd-7-facts/.

Every day, thousands of kids experience bullying at school and online through their phones and other devices. In fact, one of every five students reports being bullied during the school year. Bullying can take many forms, including unwanted aggressive behavior, observed or perceived power imbalance, and adverse repeated behavior. Statistics also show that victims of childhood bullying have a higher risk of developing mental health issues, including higher risks of su***de.
You can help prevent bullying as an individual and within your community by fostering kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. For more information, visit stopbullying.gov, or pacer.org.

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. We use this month to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by su***de. Our goal is ensuring that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss su***de prevention and to seek help.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988, or start a chat at 988Lifeline.org. The 988 Su***de and Crisis hotline will connect you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day, and this year's theme is “Creating Hope Through Action”. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to su***de, and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention. By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope, and that we care and want to support them. Your actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988, or start a chat at 988Lifeline.org. The 988 Su***de and Crisis hotline will connect you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.
***dePreventionDay

National Recovery Month, which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support the strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. Hope and recovery are real!

Our staff are dedicated to creating a calm and therapeutic environment for the young men that are seeking treatment, and we are so thankful for each and every member of our team!

A new school year can mean new exposures to peer pressures related to underage drinking. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and it can cause them enormous health and safety risks. Parents and teachers can play a meaningful role in shaping youth’s attitudes toward drinking. Parents, in particular, can have either a positive or negative influence. To get the facts about underage drinking, visit http://spklr.io/6181lqlF.

Not all children react to stress the same way. Here are some common behavioral signs that can alert you to the fact that stress may be having a negative impact on your child's mental health.