tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41338754431175243602012-02-10T18:37:46.784-06:00Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.comBlogger1261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-64500190473547444742012-02-05T18:51:00.000-06:002012-02-05T18:51:51.314-06:00

Happy Children Playing Kids (Photo credit: epSos.de)I routinely provide training for schools on kids and mental health for teachers, counselors and parents. Over the past three years I have done trainings on self harm, bullying and suicide. The teachers and counselors tell me they always ask for trainings on the prevailing issues they encounter with their students. This year I have done two

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-46558573184518743552012-01-14T19:32:00.000-06:002012-01-14T19:32:03.495-06:00

Image by Tony Trần via FlickrWe probably made resolutions that we know we will break. We watched football games and ate too much, maybe drank too much, and laughed a lot but  not enough. The kids have gone back to school and our daily routine  plays out just as it did last year. So far, so good. No big issues. Our kids may see it differently. They have returned to school where they may feel lost

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-11551942463301096062011-12-15T10:23:00.000-06:002011-12-15T10:23:50.229-06:00

Once again, the Christmas trees are up, pretty lights abound and there is a mad dash to get the latest techno toy before the reindeer land on the roof. So much has changed since this time last year. There are families who still have no jobs. There are kids who  still go to bed hungry. There are kids who are afraid to go to school because of bullies, still. We spend so much time, energy and money

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-51644488153277605362011-11-21T08:59:00.000-06:002011-11-21T08:59:28.192-06:00

We know how families can impact what we think, and how we act long after we have grown up and moved on. So how does growing up with a parent who has a mental illness impact kids?  In a recent study, 21,000 families observed over 4 years shows that those kids who have two parents with depression are at a particularly high risk of behavioral or emotional problems. Those with only one parent being

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-25607192286623033512011-11-18T16:15:00.000-06:002011-11-18T16:15:53.516-06:00

Image by North Shore Country Day School via FlickrTransitions are common. We all  say goodbye, hello, change jobs, change houses, change cities we live in and also change the people we choose to allow in our lives. Adults can handle change fairly well given enough logical reasons why the change is a good thing.  But kids aren't quite that advanced. A change to a child is a very big deal. Simply

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-52605194143931977302011-11-13T20:37:00.000-06:002011-11-13T20:37:20.205-06:00

Do you even know what these things are? I didn't until I spent some time with our substance abuse counselor at the hospitaI I work for. K2 is the legal marijuana you may have heard about. It is an incense, sold at smoke shops across the country legally. Kids smoke it and reportedly get a high from it. This has not been tested and we no idea what this is doing to the kids and adults who use this

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-56976755198765252102011-11-08T14:29:00.000-06:002011-11-08T14:29:31.201-06:00

There has been much written and implemented around suicide prevention programs and efforts. There are many awareness events across the country like the Out of Darkness Walk. Most of these programs and events are geared towards older kids and adults. But if the idea is prevention, then shouldn't we be starting earlier? So how young is too young to talk to kids about suicide and how to prevent it?

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-73940173558903186752011-11-01T09:35:00.000-05:002011-11-01T09:35:03.552-05:00

There has been much interest in bullying over the past few years. There are programs and tips and school programs to address this issue. We tend to focus largely on kids and how bullying impacts them, and rightly so. But we need to also realize kids who are bullies generally grow up to be bullies too. If you think about it, I am sure everyone can remember a bully they had to deal with in an adult

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-10356081953493141272011-10-01T16:42:00.000-05:002011-10-01T16:42:13.123-05:00

Image via WikipediaThere is a very weird and disturbing syndrome that is attacking children across thew country. It is stealthy,damaging and right under our noses. The thing I am talking about is called PANDAS. Not the black and white cuddly bears from China. This PANDA is far from passive. PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychological Disorder Associated with Streptococcus. See why

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-73279382935277999242011-09-07T15:23:00.000-05:002011-09-07T15:23:12.133-05:00

This is suicide prevention week. Every hour someone dies from suicide while 10 others attempt it. Every year families must deal with the questions left when a child or a family member takes their own life. Who is there for them? Where are the pink ribbons and PSA's telling people to call a toll free number for help? The recent death in the celebrated series the Real Housewives has drawn the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-47982520386386518132011-09-01T08:57:00.000-05:002011-09-01T08:57:42.583-05:00

It is that time of year again. Back to school for millions of kids across the nation. But what will kids encounter when they return? They will have the new backpacks and new folders, cool, pens and pencils and other stuff to get their school experience up and running while being cool. They will also find classrooms that are more crowded, teachers that are less skilled in some cases and the big

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-55921411737027541072011-08-07T12:47:00.000-05:002011-08-07T12:47:26.990-05:00

Used to, way back when, we started the day with the pledge of allegiance. We learned about the great history of the grand experiment that is the United States of America. Kids knew about where we came from and why we chose to go thousands of miles across an unknown ocean to a land filled with savages and strange animals. The weather was harsh as was the landscape, but we went anyway. What must

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-44968739880522404542011-07-22T12:08:00.000-05:002011-07-22T12:08:27.886-05:00

We all have heard the alarming statistics on suicides. It is the  number 3 cause of death between the ages of 15-21.  It is not well reported. This does not include the single car accidents or "accidental"  deaths that make up a large majority of the fatalities in any community. Accidental overdoses are reported as just that, instead of suicides.  There has emerged a new method of suicide that is

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-11950206524871773072011-06-26T11:00:00.000-05:002011-06-26T11:00:36.793-05:00

Image via WikipediaI tend to post things about kids and their travels through the difficult years to adult hood when things really get weird. The absolute worst period for a child is middle school years. It is so bad they actually created separate schools just for this age group! Remember back in the day when they were in with the elementary schools kids? In looking at kids who are hitting this

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-45109483635847927092011-06-14T11:06:00.000-05:002011-06-14T11:06:10.770-05:00

Since the hospital I work for accepts children ages 3-17, I get a lot of questions about just how a 3 year old can be diagnosed with depression.  It seems absurd that a 3 year old would have enough awareness of the world around them to be depressed, right? If you think about it, most of the  core symptoms of depression are developmentally broad. Sadness, irritability, absence of joy are all

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-54732852379304068072011-05-17T17:33:00.001-05:002011-05-17T17:33:01.726-05:00

Everyone knows what happens when kids get hurt. The hitting, the sexual abuse, the name calling, and even the ignoring and what it can do to a child. But what happens more than any of these horrible things in a child's world can be almost as damaging. When parents divorce, kids hurt. There are so many questions. Why does Daddy have to leave? Why can't Mommy pick me up from school like she used to

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-16854068068103428572011-04-28T18:33:00.001-05:002011-04-28T18:33:20.522-05:00

Kids in the United States are falling behind the rest of the world in education, according to a number of  reports and sources. Texas is in the midst of some of the most drastic cuts to the public education system in the states history, in addition to systematically cutting funds for programs that provide social services to people. Medicaid cuts to hospitals that care for the uninsured or

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-41558169751191710492011-03-27T13:09:00.001-05:002011-03-27T13:09:35.743-05:00

Currently in Texas, we are hearing about the massive cuts expected to be enacted by the legislature in an effort to counter a 28 billion dollar deficit. We all know from history, the places that will get cut first are social services and schools. Estimates for Northside school district alone are 1000 will be let go. 1000 teachers in a district that has over 90,000 kids. Other school districts are

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-27208178591348836642011-02-27T15:25:00.000-06:002011-02-27T15:25:32.827-06:00

Bullying is getting a lot of press these days, and rightly so. There are almost weekly reports of a young person somewhere in the USA that couldn't take the abuse any longer so they chose to end the pain one way or another. There have been suicides, and shootings all around bullies. The interesting thing in this is the victim suffers, and sometimes others suffer because they were in the wrong

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-68880632224878024252011-02-10T17:33:00.000-06:002011-02-10T17:33:37.529-06:00

We are in the beginnings of another session of the Texas Legislature and the  rumors and reality of the budget are starting to take their toll.   Many people are  fearful and  considering leaving community agencies to get a more stable position with  large companies. Mental health  professionals are watching the cuts carefully, as we all know there are already not enough of us to handle the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-66534920951123138132011-01-25T16:26:00.000-06:002011-01-25T16:26:18.504-06:00

Few Americans understand what parity means, it seems. Along with the hundreds of rules and regulations in the recent health care reform package, parity was passed. What this means is  insurance companies have to cover mental health and substance abuse care , just like they do medical care. In other words, if you have a million dollar limit on your medical coverage, you have a million dollar limit

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-35206194347972517622011-01-04T08:55:00.000-06:002011-01-04T08:55:38.157-06:00

Another year has come and gone. So what can we look forward to this New year? We have heard a lot of recent info about obesity and kids. If we believe the current news briefs,  babies are  obese before they ever get their first taste of food. I wonder if they are obese in utero too? There seems to be so much focus on  weight, and almost no focus on wellness. Everywhere you look you see weight

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-48250131230022701762010-12-24T18:10:00.001-06:002010-12-24T18:18:43.820-06:00

It is Christmas Eve. The magic of Christmas can be seen the in eyes of every child you see. Churches will be overflowing this evening. Every town and city in the USA is brilliant with twinkling lights all around. Some have snow, some have rain and some are just the same. Some kids have the tradition of opening gifts from Santa Christmas Eve, others must wait until Christmas morning. Some have

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-82398256602174298472010-12-05T13:58:00.001-06:002010-12-05T14:02:18.566-06:00

Around this time of year, people can be seen joyously singing Christmas carols, happily shopping at the local malls and enjoying the season. This can be seen in movies, TV and advertisements enticing you to spend your gift giving dollars with them. In reality, this time of year is a time of increased sadness, a time of  losses remembered and people who have left our lives. Many people suffer from

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-9864200627201785152010-11-25T13:55:00.000-06:002010-11-25T13:55:38.706-06:00

Today, all across the nation, families are getting ready for the great American feast of Thanksgiving. We all are anticipating turkey with all the trimmings, various types of dressings and stuffing, loads of sides and massive amounts of desserts. But what else are we gathering together for? Family and friends? Football? Maybe we are just waiting for the chance to be with people.  For some this is

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-86101956952278413492010-11-16T15:41:00.001-06:002010-11-16T15:42:53.412-06:00

We have heard stories that indicate kids are matuing at a alarmingly quick rate. The most recent fact I have heard relates to girls having their first menses at age 8 which is in the second grade. Far be it from me to cast blame on why this is such an epidemic, but I might consider looking to the food industry as a whole. Ever since the "modern age" we have been on a quest to make our lives

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-35638038182901808242010-10-31T08:47:00.000-05:002010-10-31T08:47:12.263-05:00

This debate is a relatively new one in that it never was discussed before the end of the second World War. Kids were thought to be extensions of their parents, therefore they were to do exactly as their parents said. Talking back to an adult was unheard of. Children were also an addition to many families way of creating a livelihood. During  these times, kids worked along side their parents in

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-86347041939517105862010-10-17T13:09:00.000-05:002010-10-17T13:09:09.467-05:00

It has been a while since I posted and much has happened that demands the attention of all citizens of San Antonio and Texas. Many of you may have heard of the wolf pack ... some may have personal experience with them. The wolf pack is a group of kids who consider themselves to be part canine..wolves to be exact. They wear tails, collars, dress in black and some have had their canine teeth filed

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-47241614335388535392010-09-19T07:46:00.000-05:002010-09-19T07:46:35.749-05:00

All across the nation, parents and children are back in the routine of getting up and out the door for school. For some, going back to school is exciting and something they look forward to. For others, the prospect of returning to school cause intense anxiety for both the child and the parent. Some children do not handle school well. They may experience physical symptoms such as stomach aches,

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-14147289674413536342010-08-29T19:45:00.000-05:002010-08-29T19:45:32.789-05:00

Ok, us old people have accepted the fact...social media is here to stay. But those of us who have ventured into the wild and wacky world of social media posts are always amazed at just what people will post on such a public venue! Some people post details about an affair.. do they think the spouse they are cheating on suddenly has forgotten how to read? Or how about posting those really stupid

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-37718251572496999332010-08-19T22:10:00.002-05:002010-08-19T22:13:46.258-05:00

There have been several news reports in the recent years that talk about the effects of certain types of fats on brain function. Some have reported that Omega 3 fatty acids, like those found in salmon and other deep water fish, can actually increase mood stability. Currently there are no studies that can report success in treating mental health issues such as depression with omega 3's, however,

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-57702426891593415362010-08-07T16:10:00.000-05:002010-08-07T16:10:29.549-05:00

Energy, what we call calories, is derived from carbohydrate, protein, fat and alcohol found in foods and drinks. Thought vitamins and minerals are necessary for optimum health, they provide no energy. The brain is a very metabolically active organ and uses about 20-30% of a person's energy intake at rest. People who don't eat enough calories to meet their energy requirements will experience

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-22297479084597462242010-08-03T22:46:00.001-05:002010-08-04T09:13:37.289-05:00

Food impacts the way we act and the way we feel. We all know when we are hungry we get cranky easily. In more extreme cases when blood sugar plummets, our iritability and ability to think clearly suffers drastically.A person who has just eaten a meal may, in reverse, feel calm and relaxed, even sleepy. That same sleepy person may be more productive after a cup of coffee and a brisk walk. Some one

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-64453764961409362752010-07-31T19:52:00.001-05:002010-07-31T20:04:39.294-05:00

The 2010 Case Family Kids Count Data book is releasing information about the state of kids in the nation. This guide gives an overall snapshot of kids in Americasorted by state and by issues. It includes the number of teen birh rates, the percentage of kids who live below the poverty level, plus many more data sets advocates can utilize to help make a case for changes to programs in America. One

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-83899524251522145712010-07-24T23:43:00.000-05:002010-07-24T23:43:11.827-05:00

Believe it or not self harm has been around for centuries. Some cultures and religions include types of harming the body. These types of self harm are not what I am writting about in this post. Teens across the country are resorting to various forms of self harm in record numbers, so much so that it is considered to be epidemic. Self harm or nonsuicidal self injury is rapidly becoming the chosen

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-68987993021050185432010-07-11T09:54:00.005-05:002010-07-11T11:29:07.946-05:00

A recent study in Social Science and Medicine demonstrates for the first time that childhood psychological problems have long-lasting effects on adult income. Researchers from the Rand Corporation analyzed data from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics which has followed 5000 families, and 35,000 individuals within those families, for over 40 years. Key Findings are as follows: Compared to

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-82909225701451438242010-06-30T23:03:00.002-05:002010-07-04T15:21:23.961-05:00

At least fifteen times a day I asked myself this question when my kids were teens. They seemed to suddenly have lost any intelligence they had manage to acquire in the blink of an eye. They were impulsive and did things that were just plain stupid, with absolutely no thought of the consequences or the long term effects of what they were doing. Sound familiar? Current research tells us why teens

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-58577915956089951832010-06-27T12:36:00.004-05:002010-06-27T12:57:52.463-05:00

You've seen the ads for Red Bull.. it gives you wings! Then there is Rosk Star and Amp. Lots of energy in a can being pushed on us to get us through the day on less sleep and less food. If you have kids you may wnat to know about a way these drinks are being used that could cause serious consequences for kids. Energy drinks contain a host of ingredienst ,like caffeine, sugar, taurine, ginseng,

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-63122800222992174532010-06-19T22:06:00.003-05:002010-06-19T22:34:28.485-05:00

If you are about my age...let's say 50 something, you probably remember the advent of the war against drugs. If you were really into the subculture of the 60's and 70's you may remember some of the anti drug slogans and those attention grabbing PSA's from Partnership for a Drug Free America starring a frying pan and two eggs...any questions?Due to medical research and a desire to know more about

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-14695288833239903822010-06-15T16:45:00.004-05:002010-06-15T17:44:27.176-05:00

Most of you know I have been working as an RN in one way or another since the mid 1980's. I have to say since then I have witnessed miracles of science that my grandparent would have considered to be stuff of science fiction writers. I have also seen many many things that gave me pause and caused me to reconsider my chosen profession. Actually, because of many of the strains nurses have had to

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-20630034676856813222010-06-12T12:41:00.005-05:002010-06-12T13:10:44.378-05:00

We all know that drinking and kids is a bad mix. We all hear about the dangers of binge drinking in the Freshman year of College. Something we may not be as aware that the incidents of mental health issues in kids who drink dramatically increases the more often they drink. Diagnoses like depression,anxiety disorder and even bipolar disorder can be seen at higher rates in kids who drink. The more

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-61612841906910209892010-05-15T14:36:00.002-05:002010-05-15T15:26:10.467-05:00

May is mental health month. There is even a day dedicated to children's mental health. The National Association for Mental Illness or NAMI has walks to promote mental health awareness and advocacy across the nation. There is no reason someone who thinks they may benefit from seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist should be so ashamed they put their well being on the line. No one is ashamed of

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-53815744898921801732010-05-09T16:49:00.003-05:002010-05-09T17:08:12.604-05:00

Happy Mother's day to everyone. Being a mom myself, I can tell you mom's have gotten a bad rap from the science of psychology and psychiatry over the decades. Everything seemed to be laid at the feet of moms for any and all issues their kids may have or developed as they grew. Current research now tells us that while the relationship between a mom and child is very important, so is the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-20608432338510006962010-04-24T11:49:00.003-05:002010-04-24T12:00:35.968-05:00

What were you taught as a child? Respect? Fair play? Be patient? Many of us had differening messages we were taught as children. Mine were to remember everyone has feelings and to try to always be a positve influence in all I do. I look at my children, who are grown with kids of their own and see some of the same messages have become a part of who they are as adults. They are caring, sensitive

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-23503923946056294902010-04-01T22:18:00.003-05:002010-04-01T22:53:19.371-05:00

I attended a child advocacy conference in Laredo Texas this week. I was a guest presenter speaking on the effects of repetitive trauma long term on the children in our state. The room was filled with counselors, teachers, nurses, doctors and child protective service workers. The District attorney was there. At some point during the presentation, a question came from the audience. " What can we do

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-70531630688921878282010-03-15T09:54:00.006-05:002010-03-15T16:08:40.092-05:00

There is a great movie still in theaters across the country which is unlike any other. It is filled with drama, emotion, some violence and great music. It touches the heart and the soul. It is To Save a Life. This major movie documents two boys who grew up together, supported each other as children, then drifted apart in middle school and virtually disappeared from each others lives in high

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-52622408898580103692010-03-07T10:51:00.002-06:002010-03-07T11:20:39.866-06:00

There are many books on the subject and if you are a fan of Twitter, millions of tweets on the subject. Are there any experts? Perhaps. Dr Spock? Not the Vulcan guy with the pointy ears, but the pediatrician. Maybe it is your grandmother who offers parenting wisdom passed down from her mom. There are some ways to figure out what a child needs from a parent and it doesn't take a lot of formal

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-78897702653843327402010-02-21T07:35:00.003-06:002010-02-21T08:08:28.087-06:00

It is that time again in Texas where the allergies are high and so is the rhetoric for the governor's race. There are a lot of other positions on the ballots as well including district court judges, congress, etc. The Governor's race is always the most entertaining! This election, we have the incumbent, Rick Perry, who has had a strangle hold on the state for way too long. To give you an idea of

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-12301664223832538152010-02-15T20:01:00.000-06:002010-02-16T19:35:16.027-06:00

Sometimes a family endures events that cause a change in the roles everyone plays. Sometimes the mom is really the one who needs to be taken care of by the children. Sometimes it is Dad. The issues behind this may be addiction, illness, mental illness and mental retardation. Some of it is just fallout from being a very overworked single parent who has to rely on the oldest child to do the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-3169174417691103892010-02-10T11:58:00.000-06:002010-02-10T11:58:00.266-06:00

There is a battle raging in our society. On one side there is the group that urges use of social networks, and instant messaging as a way to stay connected. The other side talks about how we are losing out ability to relate to people due to all this connected isolation. The impact of technology will probably take decades to truly evaluate, but I would like to talk about how being connected is

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-50588597765098806582010-02-03T11:06:00.000-06:002010-01-31T11:58:08.232-06:00

We hear a lot about eating disorders in teens, especially girls. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulemia are the top headline grabbers. According to the National Institute of Health "Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. They include* Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don't eat enough because you think you are fat *Bulimia nervosa, involving periods of overeating followed by

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-17971530977690729422010-01-23T13:54:00.001-06:002010-01-26T09:15:35.066-06:00

As few as 5 years ago, any adult who heard of a child being raped had a visceral reaction to this news. A tight sick feeling in the pit of the stomach accompanied by a moral outrage and sheer hatred towards the perpetrator was the expected reaction. This is no longer the case. We in San Antonio have the distinction of being one of the cities with the highest child abuse numbers in our country.

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-77218794663552013892010-01-17T19:17:00.000-06:002010-01-17T19:17:00.636-06:00

You can't escape it, no matter how much you may want to. Sooner or later, your child will learn to drive. They will put out the hands that used to have trouble holding onto a cup without spilling, and gleefully ask those mind numbing words" Can I borrow the car?" Kids understand driving is a big deal. It signals the ultimate freedom for them. Little do they realize the immense power that comes

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-65720404780468677872010-01-11T13:05:00.001-06:002010-01-11T13:05:00.820-06:00

In our current politically charged world, there seems to be a divide between Americans that is deepening with each news report and bill that is passed. National Pride is something we rarely hear of. Patriotism is even less recalled. It is all about Democrats vs. republicans or liberals vs. conservatives. So how do we teach our kids about our Nation? How do we express to them the history and the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-35822627493861494082010-01-01T08:21:00.000-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.024-06:00

There has been much press over the use of seclusion and restraint in schools, especially concerning kids with developmental and mental health issues. Since I have worked in psychiatry for over 20 years, I find this very interesting. The fact we have this as an issue raises a larger question...WHY? 15 years ago, there was no need to hold a child, or lock them in an isolation room. There were no

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-68855625891239611112009-12-25T08:54:00.001-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.026-06:00

It is Christmas morning and the kids have already shredded the gift wrapping and are busy playing with their new toys. Mom and dad are exhausted and sit clutching their 8Th cup of coffee. If you listen closely you can hear sighs of " Thank God we made it through another Christmas Day!" And everyone swears they will not wait till the last minute next year. We will eat too much and have a huge mess

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-68480664803374856092009-12-20T19:57:00.001-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.028-06:00

Ah, yes the beautiful majesty of a peaceful, snowy evening spent while angelic faces listen patiently to the story " Twas the Night before Christmas". I have heard and seen evidence this actually happens but I have never experienced such a miracle. My Christmases spent with children involve crying, screaming, crashing and throwing up. Wrapping paper being shredded and boxes thrown willy nilly

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-58658697953957450932009-12-10T21:39:00.001-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.030-06:00

There is a huge debate going on over the impact of drug abuse on our society. There are those that believe it is overblown and mental illness takes priority over recreational drug use gone wild. The truth is, kids and adults who have untreated mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and some types of psychosis use drugs to try to medicate their symptoms themselves. You see ,strangely

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-26864770573274687652009-12-01T17:06:00.001-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.033-06:00

When a parent understands their child may need psychiatric help, it is a crisis. Then the realization that you may not know what kind of help your child would do best with becomes reality. Do you need a psychiatrist, or maybe a Phd? How about a counselor or a therapist? Is there any difference? There are vast differences between the different types of help in the world of psychiatry, and I'll try

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-82500967641771357722009-11-26T16:55:00.004-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.035-06:00

When you have decided therapy may be needed for you and your child, how do you choose who to see? Your insurance carrier will give you suggestions and your friends will suggest people they know or have heard good things about. The school counselors may be able to help with a suggestion or two. But ultimately, the decision is yours. Since this can be an overwhelming task by itself I offer a few

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-34214060611049092632009-11-24T16:49:00.003-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.037-06:00

It is that time of year again when we all gather around a humongous feast and eat way too much and see people we haven't seen in years. The holiday season brings tidings of peace and joy and a fair amount of unresonable expectations which leads to increased holiday stress and anxiety. Families have grown up with the perfect holiday gathering etched in their heads. We can't help but expect a

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-26428958002114776912009-11-22T09:16:00.002-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.040-06:00

On November 3, 2009 the American Psychological Association released a report detailing the impact of stress on kids, tweens to be exact. A tween is a kid aged 8-12, which can be a very difficult time for a child. They don't fit into the little kids group and they are too young for the teenagers groups. The really interesting part of this study is while kids say they are more stressed and worried

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-32068241946087965152009-11-19T22:25:00.000-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.042-06:00

Children who don't show normal fear responses to loud, unpleasant sounds at the age of 3 may be more likely to commit crimes as adults, according to a new study. That statement in itself is startling. The study goes on to say researchers tested the 3-year-olds' responses to unpleasant noises using a lie detector. When they looked at any criminal records among the participants 20 years later, 137

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-80591234265113931352009-11-16T22:23:00.002-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.044-06:00

One of the main indicators of how well a child is adapting or coping with their lives is the amount of stress of anxiety they carry with them. Everyone gets anxious. We all have a flight or fight response. It is natural. It is what saves us from being eaten by bears, although our bears usually take the form of bullies, big dogs and an oncoming car. Children experience this too. They just are not

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-33724965802813086472009-11-08T08:49:00.003-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.047-06:00

The demand for commercial sexual exploitation flourishes around the world, fueled by prostitution and pornography.Human trafficking generates $32 billion annually, according to Interpol in 2007. The estimates are twice that now. The United Nations claims that the trafficking of human beings has surpassed the drug trade to become the second largest source of money for organized crime after the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-26851758946217412672009-11-01T08:24:00.006-06:002010-01-03T13:33:10.049-06:00

1 in 20 children witnessed someone being shot, 1 in 200 witnessed a murder, and 1 in 50 were sexually assaulted according to a survey done by the Crimes Against Children Research Center. As children grow older, the incidences of victimization increases to the point of 1 in 10 14-17 year olds witnessing a shooting in the past year, while 1 in 75 witnessed a murder. 2 in 5 children surveyed were

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-13671603332436227742009-10-29T08:53:00.002-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.052-06:00

60% of our children are victims of violence at some point during their lives. The most common types of victimization in infancy is assault by a sibling usually with no weapon or injury. Also, the witnessing of assault against a family member is high during this period. Parents know the possibility of sibling rivalry can cause some cause for concern. Parents also know the younger the child, the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-45896189370436880572009-10-27T22:12:00.006-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.054-06:00

In a recent report released by the National Survey of Children's Exposure to violence, the most comprehensive Nationwide survey of the incidence and prevalence of a child's exposure to violence,the conclusion was stated that 60% of our children are exposed to violence daily. This can be either directly or indirectly. Nearly one half of the children surveyed had been assaulted in the past year, at

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-12747877256941938792009-10-24T23:45:00.003-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.056-06:00

We had an emergency meeting of the Blue Ribbon Task Force against Child Abuse. Texas has seen an increase in infant deaths from abuse in the past few months. The children were all all under the age of 3 months. We thought we were being called together to mobilize and do something to help these innocents live in an environment free of fear and death at the hands of their care givers. What we heard

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-47929046275897774012009-10-14T22:13:00.003-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.059-06:00

I have told you stories about how we can impact children by helping them with what they have to deal with in today's world. Today, I decided to give you a snapshot of one of these kids and what it is she has to cope everyday. Leslie is a precocious 8 year old with long dark curls and beautifully curly lashes. She is bright and can sing like an angel, which she enjoys. It is one of her few joys,

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-14216359453820399112009-10-03T08:08:00.002-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.061-06:00

We all agree there are mentally ill people who need our help. They are on the streets and living under bridges. They are also in our kids classrooms, protecting our city from fire and crime and treating us when we are ill. Mentally ill people are productive parts of our society who go about the daily routines of their lives with little more than a bump occasionally along the way, usually.

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-54801401297514173122009-09-30T22:28:00.004-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.064-06:00

We adults will all agree kids have much more to deal with than when did when we were in school. Technology has shrunk the world into sound bytes and mere seconds of information bursts. But what adults generally find disagreement over is the amount of stress a child is encountering just trying to make it through an average day. Take time. Time is in short supply. Get up, hurry up, get dressed bag

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-46546649615935054582009-09-20T14:20:00.003-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.066-06:00

They really do exist. I have seen these rare creatures up close and in the flesh. They rarely travel in large packs like their more commonly seen counterparts, but respectful children do exist. So where'd they come from? Are they indigenous to the US or did they transport here from some other country... or planet? They were raised to be respectful, is my take on the phenomenon. They were given

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-57915617086151724082009-09-09T11:54:00.000-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.069-06:00

Last week, a 17 year old young man felt hopeless. He solved the problem by hanging himself on the monkey bars at a local elementary school. What prompted this act was a break up with his girlfriend. This is common among teens. This young man's attempt was carried out to its fulfillment. Many more attempts are made but not successful, meaning the person survives. Teens consider suicide every day

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-20444439953614182552009-08-26T08:29:00.000-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.071-06:00

Many high school seniors who take pain medications without a prescription do so for reasons besides relieving pain. This is not news. The reasons sited maybe new for parents and teachers. According to a newly released University of Michigan study the top reasons given are tension or stress relief, to get high, to experiment and for pain relief. Many adults feel kids have no reason to be stressed.

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-8587399721858003952009-08-24T13:46:00.003-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.073-06:00

50% of teen boys surveyed at a public health clinic stated they did not routinely use condoms. When ask why, the responses were "It's rape. It's not like it's personal or that you are going to be responsible." and "If you are trying to put on a condom, the girl has a chance to get away and you can't make her stay." When girls were questioned about experiencing any type of intimate partner

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-5215212941562933112009-08-10T10:22:00.000-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.075-06:00

Calls into suicide crisis centers have substantially increased during the past year — 54,054 calls in the last recorded month alone — with between 20 to 30 percent of calls being specifically linked to economic distress. As a result, SAMHSA has a Link to a toolkit for primary care providers, including school staff, to assist in screening for depression. The link will be included at the end of

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-22424913302892368982009-08-09T13:47:00.005-05:002010-01-03T13:33:10.077-06:00

Recently, San Antonio was shocked by the horrible circumstances surrounding the death of an infant. A baby boy was butchered by his mother. She reportedly decapitated him and cannibalized his tiny body in a psychotic depression. There was an outcry throughout the city calling for her incarceration and for the death penalty. Apparently, the mom had been on psychiatric medication prior to learning

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-3425676859695306442009-08-06T10:42:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.718-05:00

Stores are crowded, kids are excited,and parents are stressed. Traffic starts to get bad and we all know school will soon be back in full swing. While getting the new pens, pencils, notebooks and clothes, I wanted to be sure parents are aware of the necessity to prepare the kids for a potentially serious fall and winter. H1N1 or swine flu, brings a huge threat of outbreak this school year. We saw

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-2809990007402176202009-08-04T15:07:00.002-05:002009-08-04T15:19:30.495-05:00

A new study by researchers at the University at Buffalo (UB) has shown that depressed children with asthma have nearly twice the incidence of depression compared to their peers without asthma, and studies have shown that depression is associated with increased asthma symptoms and, in some cases, death. This sounds pretty frightening and well it should. There are a large number of children who

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-86077448597897949202009-07-22T10:25:00.001-05:002009-07-22T10:25:24.067-05:00

Videos Operation Beautiful - eGuiders. We Search. You Watch.Shared via AddThis

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-18020242761313854662009-07-22T10:23:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.747-05:00

Videos Operation Beautiful - eGuiders. We Search. You Watch.Shared via AddThis

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-51435539590441637332009-07-20T15:16:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.763-05:00

Every parent wants their child to be the best they can be. We all want kids to be happy, healthy, popular, successful and talented. But how do we ensure this will happen? Are children naturally able to develop empathy, compassion, respect and kindness or must these characteristics be taught just like spelling? The answer is somewhere in the middle. Most children will find everything they need to

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-88659898417916543142009-07-16T13:08:00.003-05:002009-07-16T13:34:13.215-05:00

According to recent information from the Pentagon, children of the military are seeking inpatient mental health care 50% more than at the start of the Iraq war. Last year outpatient visits were at approximately 2 million according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle dated July 8th. Some of this increase may be due to the military encouraging families to seek help handling the stressors

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-41817991728809271022009-07-02T13:49:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.774-05:00

According to a report released by Families USA, the uncompensated care portion grew for families to $1,017 in 2008. What this means is it takes this much money per family to provide health care for those in our country who have no insurance. Part of this issue is the fact that people who have no insurance are less likely to get care when they need it and are more likely to delay getting care at

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-62482995103377139872009-06-30T12:53:00.003-05:002009-06-30T13:09:44.106-05:00

Alcohol dependence or abuse among fathers living with adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) may increase the risk of alcohol or illicit substance use among their children, according to a new national study. The study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that the rate of past year alcohol use was dramatically higher among adolescents living with a father

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-7957399258988137672009-06-14T09:30:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.787-05:00

You are driving anywhere with your kids and suddenly they start.."I want McDonald's", or "Look Sonic!" or any number of fast food places until the din is so loud from the back seat you are tempted to use that age old parenting technique of "Don't make me stop this car!" What causes our kids to be so "addicted" to fast foods? Well, I think we do. The American diet is currently composed of take-out

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-47317861907395114452009-06-05T09:44:00.007-05:002009-06-05T10:26:46.818-05:00

You have heard the stories and seen the pictures of children drugged in an effort to "help" them. The children are unfocused, violent, may have P.T.S.D. symptoms and are disrupting the classroom. Some say they need to be put on medications. But what about the black box warnings? Can medications trigger suicide? Are there alternatives to medications? Confusion over the use of medications in

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-85848492464696627232009-05-28T11:39:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.800-05:00

Issues happen fast. Every parent knows that. Parents need to have an arsenal of info to draw from at a moments notice. How do I raise a child with good self esteem? How do I get help with a psychiatric crisis? Is the police department the only option? When should I consider medication? What do I do about bullying? Now, parents and caregivers can access these types of issues via an an on demand

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-83075312603447900232009-05-28T09:41:00.022-05:002009-05-28T10:54:11.726-05:00

A recent report released by a work group on interventions with combat injured families details the impact the war has had on the fabric of our country. 40,000 wounded veterans are coming to grips with a change not only in their job but in the core of who they are. Sometimes the injuries are disfiguring,leaving them injured on a psychological level. Their children may not know them because of the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-62850876924555660502009-05-23T18:59:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.815-05:00

You are about to see a trailer like no other. This one is a positive testament to the youth we will be leaving this country to. The film speaks for itself. Check it out and comment if you like">

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-60661696714972944032009-05-23T18:43:00.003-05:002009-05-23T18:58:22.299-05:00

I recently viewed a great trailer offered by Jason Pollock about what happens when a kid, just like yours, decides to run for office. No lie, a real public office. You may have heard of a few of these very determined and positive kids. They are not content to follow the herd mentality. They are stepping up to take control and have a say in what kind of a world they inherit and are doing it in

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-78883170112277339142009-05-19T10:33:00.016-05:002009-05-19T16:42:58.457-05:00

A recent report stated a small percentage of 12 year old children are engaging in risky sexual behaviors. The Journal of School Health April 2009 issue reports further that by the age of 12, 12% of kids had engaged in vaginal sex, 7.9% in oral sex and 6.5% in anal sex. Among those children who were sexually active 25% reported 4 or more partners. A third of the sexually active kids also reported

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-7743988613770185502009-05-18T14:55:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.831-05:00

What do we truly need to know about healthcare reform? Is it the high cost of medicines and getting care? What if over half of the medical professionals that currently care for us were not there anymore? Where would we go? In a given year, there are 58 million Americans age 18 or older who have a dignosable mental disorder. That is roughly 26%. This does not include those under the age of 18,

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-83365435588439782882009-05-15T15:00:00.005-05:002009-05-15T16:49:10.205-05:00

Another Star Trek movie hit the cinemas last weekend. As a Trekkie of old, I watched the characters evolve through their history and considered the wisdom of the Vulcan way of life. Logic rules. Simple, elegant and no grey areas. The root of this evolution resides in the very violent history of the Vulcan people, which nearly destroyed them. The directive then became logic rules. Logic rules over

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-55781009983533394202009-05-06T12:29:00.003-05:002009-05-06T12:51:04.073-05:00

I have the distinct honor of working for the best not for profit organization in the great state of Texas! Southwest Mental Health Center is an organization that serves children when they seriously need someone to hold out a hand of hope. For well over 120 years SMHC has been the safety net for families that could not care for their children for whatever reason. From back in 1889, when the

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-62630718360188800702009-05-03T10:07:00.007-05:002009-05-03T10:25:06.632-05:00

It is everywhere. Statistics on the flu outbreak are saturated our daily information sources. And really, it sounds pretty scary to an adult, much less a child. While you are teaching your children how to wash their hands to the Happy Birthday Song and to sneeze into their arm, remember to slide in some words that will help them be ok with the level of drama around them. The CDC has a great

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-1037051430663612982009-05-03T09:27:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.848-05:00

So much commotion over the flu outbreak these past few days has prompted school and day care closures across the state. Parents are unsure what is the real story. What do they need to know that is useful? Remember, this is the flu, not the plague, simply the flu. Take the usual precautions you would during the regular flu season. Wash your hands. That should be written over every sink in your

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-68436050325520890732009-04-26T10:41:00.005-05:002009-04-27T09:47:16.567-05:00

I know this is dedicated to kids issues but I wanted to share a moving experience I had recently. I went to get a pedicure here in San Antonio at Yardley's Salon and Spa. Yardley's is a local business with a unique view of salon services and a dedication to the customers experience. It also helps that it is owned by Yardley Bowen, the wife of San Antonio SPURS number 12. The pedicure went

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133875443117524360.post-86189951610340586092009-04-25T15:29:00.000-05:002009-09-09T18:57:13.864-05:00

Parents are fighting a battle for their kids even if they don't know it. There is an undercurrent of darkness threatening to swallow up the light of childhood at every turn. Books, cartoons, songs, clothing, TV video games, schools, friends. These are the circles of influence for children ages 10-25. Notice parents and teachers are absent from that list. Whatever you belief system is, it isn't

Kathy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17602110015458677403noreply@blogger.com0