Meet Brianna Parkinson, LCSW, at Bradley REACH. Discover how she enhances adolescent mental health care through family therapy, conflict resolution, skill-building, and ongoing support for families.

Discover how Dr. Shivana Naidoo, MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist, takes a holistic approach to adolescent mental health at Bradley REACH. Learn about her focus on family dynamics, development, and collaborative treatment.

Learn about Dr. Elisabeth Frazier, Clinical Psychologist at Bradley REACH. Explore how the program provides assessments, therapy, and tailored support to address adolescent mental health needs holistically.

Making mental health treatment and suicide prevention a priority across systems of care and across individual, relational, community and political interventions is fundamental to improving the health of our society.

At a time of deep division, the fact that the election and its outcome on the future of our nation are affecting our mental health seems to be one of the few thoughts that most Americans share. The good news is that there are things that parents can do to minimize the impact of election stress on their kids.

When someone is struggling with suicidal ideation or behaviors such as self-injury the first goal is to get help. It’s important to note that suicidal thoughts can be normal. Many people feel so overwhelmed sometimes that they don’t want to be alive.

Your mental health matters—just like your physical health! In our latest blog, we’re sharing tips on creating a Mental Health First Aid Kit designed specifically for teens. From stress-relief tools to grounding techniques, this kit helps you take care of yourself when things get tough.

Did you know teens need 8-10 hours of sleep each night, yet most don’t get enough? Parents, setting healthy sleep boundaries (like no phones in bedrooms!) and modeling good habits can go a long way. Remember, sleep is crucial for your teen’s development and well-being. Let’s make sleep a priority this school year!

Turns out many parents and caregivers are feeling pressure to push down on them on a regular basis. So much so that the U.S. Surgeon General put out an Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents. The U.S. Surgeon General offers a snapshot of the stressors that parents and caregivers face on a regular basis. If you are a parent or caregiver, how much of this resonates with you?

Children and adolescents mostly perceive schools as safe places, so learning about school shootings can trigger anxiety.  Although active shooter drills are meant to prepare children for such incidents, participating in them can be extremely stressful. The good news is that there are ways that parents and caregivers can help children cope with the trauma of gun violence. 

Back to school can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking time for parents and teens.  Some children and their families will thrive with the increased structure and routine of the academic year relative to the summer.  Others will struggle with potential academic, extracurricular and social stressors.

Primary care providers are on the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis. Pediatricians are known for their holistic, comprehensive approach to the care of their patients. Treating the whole child involves diagnosis of physical concerns, but also recognition of the interplay between family structures, school environments, daily routines, and life stressors.

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Diane McLean, MD

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Ilse Carrizales, PhD.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Often when we speak of dating violence we think of physical violence. In fact, there are several different types of violence teens can experience. Intimate partner violence can include physical violence, sexual violence, and psychological violence. Teens can experience violence in person, online, or through any type of technology.

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Diane McLean, MD

Bradley Hospital has been working with Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness to identify ways that we could help to meet the specific needs of their Indigenous young people. I was recently invited to Maine to co-instruct Youth MHFA for Tribal Communities and Indigenous Peoples.  Maine has four Indian tribes, the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy, known collectively as the Wabanaki

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how can it affect kids and teens? SAD is a form of depression, and is more likely to impact those in northern regions during the winter. However, many folks still struggle during this time even if it does not reach the level of a clinical diagnosis.

Therapy deserts are defined as areas across the United States with limited access to mental health services. These regions lack the resources for modern mental health access and pose a significant challenge for individuals seeking support for their mental well-being.

Read our latest Bradley REACH Interview with Sarah Rawlings.