The Anxiety and Behavioral Health Center

I'm excited to be involved in the IOCDF Online Camp again this year! Camp is this weekend - January 27th & 28th.

The International OCD Foundation's Online OCD Camp is a virtual event for kids and teens with OCD and their families! Created especially for youth between the ages of 6 and 17, OCD Camp will feature two days of interactive sessions and activities for three age groups: Elementary, Middle, and High Schoolers. The program also includes sessions for parents/guardians as well as opportunities for fun and socialization with other families.

Parents of children with OCD commonly ask, "How much should I push vs. protect my child?". I'll be talking with parents to address this question and ways to support their child when faced with distress from OCD.

Registration is open now!
https://events.iocdf.org/event/9e54a18c-5ca8-44ef-ba3b-6a83c3389b05/summary?RefId=conference-series&_ga=2.51404522.259638549.1705957644-547421477.1704473958

Ready for action?
4 immediate ways to support an anxious child:

https://www.additudemag.com/anxious-child-doing-hard-things/ | https://anxietyandbehavioralhealth.com/

We are just a few days away from !

Mark your calendars for social media events, community discussions, and resources offered next week: https://iocdf.org/programs/ocdweek/ | https://anxietyandbehavioralhealth.com/

The International OCD Foundation hosts monthly Town Hall Livestreams. This month's Town Hall is dedicated to Parenting with OCD. Hear from other parents and ask questions of the expert - Marti Munford, LPC, NCC.

https://youtu.be/sSpaZV-q_CI | https://anxietyandbehavioralhealth.com/

As mammalian parents, we are hard wired to seek out and eliminate threats to our offspring.
As human parents parenting anxious children, when we follow this instinct we are actually strengthening the faulty beliefs that make our children's anxiety worse.

Check out this short video of Dr. Eli Leibowitz explaining alternative and helpful ways that parents can support their anxious children.

https://youtu.be/ExVvAn9hcjY

If you are interested in learning more, check out these additional resources:
https://www.spacetreatment.net/manual-and-books | https://anxietyandbehavioralhealth.com/

ABHC is pleased to announce the offering of an intensive treatment group for emetophobia (fear of vomit) this summer. This group is for elementary school aged children.
Email Dr. Brooks for more information or to enroll today:
[email protected]

ABHC is pleased to announce the offering of an intensive OCD Treatment Group for Adolescents this summer!
Email Dr. Brooks for more information or to enroll today:
[email protected]

The IOCDF is hosting their Online Camp THIS WEEKEND - January 22-23rd and there is still time to register!

The camp is for children, adolescents, and parents who are impacted by OCD. Check out the programming this camp offers and register here:
https://events.iocdf.org/event/044e9e9f-08fc-4332-9cac-5b0df84ac307/summary?utm_source=iocdf&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=camp

Research shows that children with anxiety disorders benefit greatly from parental interventions, even without the child's participation in therapy.

With the mental health system being overwhelmed and waitlists for treatment for children, this is a fantastic opportunity for parents of children who are anxious to get more immediate help.

Parents of Anxious Children and Teens Training (PACT) - Child Mind Institute The Child Mind Institute’s Parents of Anxious Children and Teens (PACT) online webinar series provides families and caretakers with evidence-based, practical strategies for supporting children and teens ages 3-13 struggling with anxiety. This series will cover an introduction to anxiety, different...

Join our growing team as we work together to provide quality mental health care to individuals across the lifespan!

https://anxietyandbehavioralhealth.com

Updated start date: November 16th

Now enrolling for the next *Virtual* OCD Treatment Group!

Enrollment is open to individuals in the following states: AL, AZ, CO, DE, District of Columbia, GA, IL, KY, ME, MD, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

Contact us today to join the OCD Treatment Group for Adults

[email protected]

(240) 549-0052

Now enrolling for the next OCD Treatment Group!

Enrollment is open to individuals in the following states: AZ, CO, DE, District of Columbia, GA, IL, MD, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

Contact us today to join the OCD Treatment Group for Adults
[email protected]
(240) 549-0052

“Instead of labeling this night a disappointment for the American team, perhaps it's a time to celebrate the ushering in of a new era: one in which gold medals take a backseat to mental health.”

Why Simone Biles withdrew from the Olympic women's gymnastics team final -- 'You have to be 100%' — ESPN Tuesday's news that Simone Biles had withdrawn midway through the gymnastics team final hit hard. But maybe it's the beginning of a new era in which mental health and safety are truly more important than gold medals.

This is the last week to enroll for the *Virtual* Adult OCD Treatment group! Enrollment closes on Saturday July 10th and space is limited.

Enrollment is open to individuals in the following states: AZ, CO, DE, District of Columbia, GA, IL, MD, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

Contact us today to join the OCD Treatment Group for Adults
[email protected]
(240) 549-0052

Group therapy for OCD is:
• A cost-effective approach to receiving treatment
• More immediately available than individual treatment
• Connection with others who share similar experiences
• Reduction of stigma, shame, and isolation
• Increased self-compassion

Contact us today to join the OCD Treatment Group for Adults
[email protected]
(240) 549-0052

You may recognize that your teen is in need of mental health treatment, but they might be resistant to getting this help. This article from the Child Mind Institute can help parents understand why and how they can help.
Key Points:
1. Teens might be embarrassed, feel hopeless, defensive, and skeptical about mental health treatment.
2. Ask your teen about their thoughts and feelings about treatment and actively listen.
3. Validate their perspective, frame treatment as another way to build and practice skills with an emphasis on their goals and priorities.
4. Give them a choice and a chance to explore options for therapists
5. If they aren’t responsive to treatment after one conversation, be patient, continue to listen, and offer support – willingness can change over time.


https://childmind.org/article/helping-resistant-teens-into-treatment/

Helping Resistant Teens into Treatment Why resistant teens need to want to get better to actually get better and how to encourage them to seek out the help they need.

Key Points from Article:
1. 25% of non-executive employees feel stressed all or most of the time
2. 49% of supervisors feel stressed all or most of the time
3. Overwhelming stress is caused when demands > resources
4. Symptoms include irritability, depressed mood, and insomnia
5. Unaddressed stress can lead to depression, reduced productivity, and absenteeism



https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/what-employers-need-know-about-mental-health-workplace

Take Aways:
1. Camp can be a great opportunity for development of independent coping skills
2. Parental anxiety and worries can increase children's fears and worries
3. Boost children's confidence by letting them know:
🏕️ It's normal to be homesick and happy
🏕️ That you know they can handle it
4. Prepare yourself (and children) with videos, tours, and information about camp
5. Create enjoyable rituals around going to camp (i.e., stopping for ice cream)
6. Do a trial runs to help increase children’s self-efficacy


https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/parenting/covid-summer-camp-homesick.html

Pre-existing panic and social anxiety may increase risk for significant challenges of resuming pre-pandemic activities. Check out this information about signs to look for and help if you are concerned.

It was a pleasure joining Korey Grice and Aleiscia Abraham during Mental Health Awareness Month to talk about ways to manage anxiety upon return to school and work. https://fb.watch/5xZqNoMQo5/

Join us on June 6th as we talk about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, what it REALLY is, and the treatments that work to end suffering.

College student and college athlete experiences present unique challenges as they are transitioning into more autonomous living and are learning how to advocate and care for themselves.
The pandemic has only complicated these challenges.

A recent survey from the JED Foundation (https://www.jedfoundation.org/) found that:
❗63% of college students say their mental health is worse now compared to before the pandemic
❗82% are experiencing struggles with anxiety
❗68% are experiencing social isolation and loneliness
❗63% are experiencing struggles with depression
❗19% of students have had suicidal thoughts in the past month

❗30% of college students are utilizing counseling services


College athletes are working to through the UNCUT project. They want other college athletes and students to know that they are and that . Check out the work they are doing at the University of Wisconsin.
https://www.uncutmadison.com/

👉Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
👉It is the 2nd leading cause of death for individuals 10-34 years old.

👉Asking about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk for su***de.
👉By starting the conversation, we show people that they are supported and can offer additional supports and reduce risk and access to means.

❗Know the signs. Know the risk factors. Know who to call.❗

17% of youth experience a mental health disorder

51% of these youth receive treatment for a mental health disorder

Uzziah shares tips on how children can cope with isolation during the pandemic.
https://childmind.org/myyoungerself/uzziah-getting-better-together/

Other tips:
1. If social media is bringing you down instead of building you up - PUT IT DOWN!
2. Use a mindfulness app such as Headspace to help effectively manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
3. When you are feeling down do the opposite of what you want and give your body and mind what it needs - GET UP and OUT! Do what matters to you, take small steps, and find ways to connect with others.
https://www.211.org/get-help/mental-health
http://groups4kids.com/

At least 8.4 million Americans provide care to an adult with an emotional or mental illness.

Caring for yourself when caring for a family member who has a mental illness is imperative.

NAMI offers local support for family members of individuals with mental illness, including caregivers of children and family members of Service Members and Veterans. Check them out here:
http://namimd.org/family__friend_support

Dr. Alison Bomba, who specializes in childhood grief offers expert tips on how to discuss death with young children.

In need of resources for a grieving friend, family member, or child?
Here are some of my favorites.

Association for Death Education and Counseling
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
The Compassionate Friends/USA
Dougy Center
Frederick Health Hospice
GriefNet
Hospice Foundation of America
NAGC National Alliance for Grieving Children
Open to Hope Foundation
webhealing
Wendt Center for Loss and Healing




MCF - Maryland Coalition of Families
Mental Health Association of Maryland

Dr. Alison Bomba, who specializes in childhood grief offers expert tips on how to discuss death with young children.