Dr. Kelley Martin

01/01/2024

12/23/2023

Gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. Help your children embrace gratitude by "letting them be the recipients of your gratitude, [which] can help them cultivate their own.”

Read on for more tips:

Research shows reminding kids to say ‘thank you’ doesn’t work as well as taking time to help them cultivate gratitude

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! May we all recognize our blessings and lead with a grateful heart.

09/06/2023

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic.

Much like mental health conditions, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, moral compass, or strength of character. Although common, suicidal thoughts should not be considered normal and are indicative of more serious issues that need attention.

Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings do not plant ideas (they're already there), but it can save a life. As one of the leading causes of death in the US and second among youth, it is critical we do not shy away from asking the question.

Not sure where to start? Here are some resources to get you started:
https://988lifeline.org/
https://afsp.org/
https://sprc.org/
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/blueprint-for-youth-suicide-prevention/
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

08/22/2023

Back-to-school is always a time met with mixed emotions, especially for the growing numbers of youth that struggle with feelings of anxiety and depression. Mental Health America now has new, free resources to help support parents, teachers, students, caregivers, and others during this time of transition.

The 2023 Mental Health America Back-to-School toolkit focuses on an area that MHA has seen be a key driver of youth mental health concerns: social media and online activity. The toolkit, "Selfies, Social, & Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaces for Youth," provides educational information and tips on how to tackle some of the most common online stressors for youth, like social comparison, body image, misinformation, and cyberbullying.

Inside the toolkit, you’ll find:
Fact sheets and tips for youth
Fact sheets and tips for adults
Key messages
A sample drop-in article
Sample social media posts and images
Posters
A guide to national and local resources

Our 2023 toolkit provides info, tips, and resources for young people, caregivers, and school personnel on protecting youth mental health in a digital world.

08/17/2023

Su***de is the 2nd leading cause of death in children and teens. This is preventable. Don't be afraid to ask, trust your gut, and maintain connection. For more tools, click the link below.

Su***de is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24. Learn about risk factors, warning signs, and how to help a suicidal adolescent.

08/07/2023

August is National Wellness Month - the perfect time to focus on self-care, stress management, and healthy routines. Physical activity, nutritious foods, practicing mindfulness, and connecting socially are all important for general wellness. Modeling these behaviors for your kids to observe and learn teaches them early how to care for themselves and sets them up for a lifetime of health and wellness. Take care of you for you. Take care of you for them.

05/18/2023

Take 1 hour today to prioritize you and encourage those around you to do the same. Go outside, take a walk, play with your dog, grab lunch with a friend, curl up with a book. Whatever it is, be a model for mental wellness for your children and loved ones by taking care of you! Comment below what you did today!

03/18/2023

​The video isn't just funny, it's pretty darn accurate.

03/10/2023

Teaching them how to manage life and all the emotions that come with it is much more effective in the long run. Strong emotions may be scary at times because you were taught to be afraid of them or not to feel them. Let's work with our children to be less afraid of and more attuned with their (and our) selves.