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MOST AI PRODUCTS OPTIMIZE FOR ENGAGEMENT. AI for youth mental health should optimize for something very different. We built Mirror to support reflection — and connect people to real human care, not replace it. How we approached responsible AI: childmind.org/blog/how-we-...

Your prom experience is probably different from current teens’ expectations. Talking about what they want out of their prom, and communicating your rules can make this special night less stressful for everyone. #prom2026 #parenting

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

Self-injury and suicidal behaviors — imagining, planning or attempting suicide — are related, but the relationship between the two is confusing. Because they can look similar, it can be very difficult to tell the difference between them.

Researchers from the Child Mind Institute will be hosting a hands-on virtual session at the 10th annual NYC Open Data Week! Through guided activities, attendees will explore real data from our Healthy Brain Network — one of the largest datasets in child mental health research.

Children each learn and develop at their own pace, and reading is no different from other skill-building. If learning to read becomes an ongoing struggle that leaves a child falling behind their peers, it’s possible that they have a learning disorder known as dyslexia. #learningdisorder #dyslexia

Unlike childhood worries about monsters or the dark, teen anxiety often focuses on themselves: academic performance, social acceptance, and concerns about their bodies. Symptoms of anxiety vary widely, from withdrawal and avoidance to irritability and lashing out.

We explored how to talk to teens about AI chatbots and social media, addressing when kids self-diagnose online, how much to monitor their activity, and how to support anxious, depressed, or socially struggling kids who are most vulnerable to unhealthy technology relationships. #AI #Chatbots

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Many teenagers are so busy with school, activities, friends and social media that they don’t get the 9 hours of sleep experts say they need. It’s not easy for parents to control what teens do. But there are things parents can do to help them get more sleep.

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We asked Qiuyuan Liu, a psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, to answer common questions from teens about prom, covering topics like body confidence, pressures on young men, friendship hierarchies, and more. #ChildMindInstitutexMacysPartner #GetPromReady

This workshop provides professionals with a practical understanding of OCD and related disorders, along with strategies to recognize and respond to symptoms. Participants will learn tools to support children and families in developing actionable skills to reduce avoidance and promote flexibility.

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

Blended families come with unique challenges — and how stepparents navigate their role can make a significant difference in how children adjust. Dr. Sandra Whitehouse, Associate Clinical Director at Child Mind Institute, recently shared her expertise with PopSugar on "nacho parenting".

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

Reading together builds language, supports brain development, strengthens your bond, and even helps kids understand emotions. And it doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. 📚Check the comments for a link to our article: “Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child?” and book recs from our clinicians.

Prom is a milestone. It can also be stressful — for teens and for the adults supporting them. That's why this prom season, the Child Mind Institute and Macy's are partnering to provide practical tools for navigating common prom stressors. #childmindinstitutexmacyspartner #prom2026

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

At the Winter Olympics, US figure skater Amber Glenn shared her reason for wearing the LGBTQ+ pin. Coming out can be one of the most vulnerable moments in a young person’s life. Many LGBTQ+ teens worry their parents will see them differently — or stop loving them altogether.

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Kids do better when they understand their own feelings. Teaching simple coping skills—like naming emotions or taking a few deep breaths—helps them build confidence and manage tough moments. 💛

February 23rd – March 1st is Eating Disorder Awareness Week. In this digital age, we’re all used to being bombarded with enviable images of people. But for teenagers, who are often uncomfortable with their own body image, the constant comparison can contribute to developing eating disorders.

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We often think of breakups in a romantic sense, but friendship breakups can be just as painful and disruptive. #friendship #breakups #teens #parenting

We’re honored to be recognized by @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social and the California Health & Human Services Agency as a critical part of California’s broader effort to support young people affected by the LA firestorms.

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

Upcoming dates for our Brave Buddies® Program. 🗓️ For over 15 years, our clinical team has helped children with SM overcome their symptoms through our evidenced-based behavioral interventions and comprehensive treatment approach. Learn more:

It’s normal for kids to be picky about what they eat, but picky eating can be frustrating for parents. Here are some tips to help your kids try more foods and cooperate at mealtimes.

We’re excited to cheer on Amber Glenn as she competes for Team USA in the Olympic Winter Games this year! In 2024, she joined our Mental Health Fitness campaign and shared her personal story of overcoming mental health challenges. #mentalhealthfitness #mentalhealthawareness #winterolympics

Despite legal age restrictions, online gambling is becoming increasingly common among teens. Young people are specifically at risk for gambling addiction because their brains are still developing. #gambling #psychology #teens

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a specific kind of depression that comes and goes with changes in seasons. It has all the same symptoms as major depressive disorder, but it only happens during specific months of the year.

New insights into the dynamics of brain development published in Nature Communications. By age 8, children begin to show adult-like patterns and shift from sensory processing to coordinated activation in regions involved in cognitive processes, enabling more abstract thinking and reasoning.

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It’s hard to solve a problem when you’re so angry you can’t think straight. That’s why helping kids learn to solve conflicts starts with helping them calm down.

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

It’s common for children to have more than one mental health or learning disorder. Called “co-occurring” disorders, they may be diagnosed at the same time, or one may be diagnosed later, if treatment for the first doesn’t resolve all the symptoms that are troubling them. #mentalhealth #diagnosis

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College is exciting, but it’s also stressful. For some kids, so many changes and new responsibilities all at once can trigger depression. The lack of structure and support also makes college an especially difficult time for kids to cope with depression. Read more: childmind.org/article/help...

How do you design data science competitions that yield real breakthroughs in mental health research? New recommendations in peer-reviewed journal Nature Mental Health from researchers at the Child Mind Institute, plus a free checklist for organizers. @gkiar.bsky.social @ariannazuanazzi.bsky.social

A new article on @newscientist.com explores emerging research that questions the idea of autism as a single spectrum, suggesting instead that autistic experiences may reflect multiple distinct profiles shaped by different traits, biology, and development. #autism #research

In our latest newsletter, we share information on seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, as well as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), treatment for depression, and other related topics. Read the newsletter here: #depression

We know exercising is good for us. It helps us stay healthy, feel better and have fun. But for kids with ADHD, exercising can also help manage their symptoms. Studies show that as little as half an hour a day of exercise can help kids — especially younger ones — focus (and feel) better.

Listen to the new Episode of Thriving Kids Podcast!

Nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) is a long-recognized but unofficial diagnosis for kids who have difficulty with visual-spatial processing. Now it’s being reframed as developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD) to clarify what the core deficit is and reduce confusion over the name. #NVLD #DVSD

Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges for adolescents and young adults. Even with effective treatments, engagement can be a barrier. The Child Mind Institute is inviting mental health professionals to join a no-cost initiative focused on Brief Behavioral Activation (BBA).

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✨ Final reminder: Today is your last chance to give before our 2X match expires! Whatever you're able to give goes twice as far: $5 becomes $10, $10 becomes $20, and $25 becomes $50 to protect children's mental health. Will you take two minutes to give at the link below before midnight tonight?