Children's Wellness Center

06/02/2026

Our local community has recently lost 2 shining stars to su***de. Both teenagers. Both incredible humans. Both a loved and cherished family member and friend. Both with personal relationships with many of our patients and both fellow classmates of our provider’s children.

Mental health struggles are real, and they can be incredibly difficult to see, understand, and treat even in the people who seem the happiest. Su***de now ranks as the second leading cause of death in children 10-24 years old.

Our practice, like most pediatric offices, has seen a rapid rise in youth presenting with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, hopelessness, drug addiction and suicidal ideation. This rise is independent of socioeconomic status, race, gender, school, city. This was noted before COVID and has worsened since.

But why? What is happening to our youth today? Frankly, we don't know. We have some ideas about contributing factors. Social media and excessive screen time. Excessive homework in early grades. Not enough recess. Not enough free time or imaginative play. Not long enough to eat lunch. Poor quality school lunch programs. Poor quality nutrition. Excessive pressure academically. Excessive pressure athletically. Parental pressure and expectations. Parental anxiety. Reduced interpersonal relationships. Lack of connection. The list of potential contributing factors is endless.

What can we do? Your providers and staff are available to meet with your family if you have concerns about your child's mental health. Our office assigns yearly intake forms for social emotional development starting at age 4 and yearly intake forms screening for depression and su***de at age 12, earlier if there are any concerns.(Gentle reminder, these are questionnaires designed for your teen to fill out privately).

Does talking with your teenager (and pr***en) about su***de increase the risk of su***de? No. Research and data show the opposite. Asking about su***de does not cause su***de or put the idea in a child or teen’s head. In fact, talking about su***de creates a safe space for children and teens to get information, and asking directly about su***de can be the difference between life and death. It offers relief to someone who may be struggling and helps them feel noticed and heard.

What resources are available?

National Su***de Hotline: 988 Lifeline: Free and confidential help by certified counselors via text, phone or email 24/7/365. https://988lifeline.org/

Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL): 1-800-715-4225 or text 988. A free, confidential, 24/7 hotline for anyone in Georgia experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. This service connects you with licensed behavioral health professionals who can provide immediate support, dispatch mobile crisis teams, or connect you with local treatment options. https://behavioralhealthlink.com/georgia-crisis-and-access-line/

Prevent Su***de Georgia: https://preventsu***dega.org/request-ta/ . Help georgians prevent su***de.

Voices for Prevention (V4P): https://v4pga.org/ A subsidiary of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. It operates as a non-profit and statewide coalition that advocates for youth su***de prevention and substance use prevention. The organization collaborates with frontline adults, youth, schools, and law enforcement to provide training, education, and community resources

Manny's Band Foundation: https://mannysband.org/. Organization started in 2024 after the su***de of Riverwood High School graduate, Manny Pargman. It functions to close the gap between “awareness” and “reaction” in youth su***de prevention. They equip families, friends, and communities with real skills and practice so they do not miss the signs of su***de or the opportunity to help before it is too late.

American Foundation for Su***de Awareness: The chapter's grassroots work focuses on eliminating the loss of life from su***de in Georgia by delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for su***de research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to su***de.: https://afsp.org/chapter/georgia

What can we do? Talk with your kids. Ask how they are doing. Take their concerns seriously. Get help and offer help to those who need it. Raise awareness. Reduce the stigma of mental health concerns.

In grief,
Your providers and staff at CWC

05/29/2026

Flying with children can feel stressful for many parents, especially when traveling with babies or toddlers for the first time. From packing everything your child may need to navigating security lines and long flights, traveling by air often requires extra planning. However, with preparation, patience, and a few helpful strategies, flying with children can become a much smoother and more manageable experience for the whole family. ✈️

👉 Read our blog for tips: https://www.childrenswellnesscenter.com/post/tips-for-flying-with-kids

05/28/2026

Sleep plays an important role in children’s mental and physical health. When kids and teens don’t get enough quality sleep, it can affect mood, behavior, focus, stress levels, and overall well-being. 😴

Poor sleep has also been linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges in children and adolescents. Many kids, however, struggle to get enough sleep because of busy schedules, screen use before bed, and inconsistent sleep routines. ⏰

To help your child get adequate rest, encourage healthy habits like maintaining a consistent bedtime, limiting screens at night, and creating a calming bedtime routine. 🛏

Read more here to learn about the connection between sleep and mental health in children and teens. 👇

​Sleep plays a key role in children’s mental and emotional health. Learn how poor sleep affects stress, mood, anxiety and depression—and practical ways families can support better sleep at every age.

05/26/2026

Swim lessons can help children build confidence in the water and reduce the risk of drowning, but it’s important to remember that lessons do not completely protect kids. Rather, it serves as one layer of protection, and it is recommended to have multiple layers to prevent drowning. These include constant adult supervision around the water, pool gates, and life jackets when appropriate. 🏊

Many children can benefit from swim lessons starting around the age of one, depending on their developmental readiness and comfort in the water. But keep in mind that even strong swimmers still need close supervision, especially around pools, lakes, and beaches. Water safety is most effective when families combine swim skills with safe habits and active supervision. 🌊

Check out this article to learn more about swim lessons and water safety recommendations for children. 👇

​Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the best time to start swim lessos and what to look for in a quality learn-to-swim program.  

05/25/2026

Remembering and honoring those who have served. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

Food allergies in children are becoming more common, and even a small amount of an allergen can cause a serious reaction in some kids. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. 🥜

Symptoms can range from mild issues like hives or stomach pain to severe reactions that affect breathing. Because reactions can happen quickly, it’s important to recognize the signs and know when to seek emergency care. 🏥

Check out this article for more information, including symptoms, diagnosis, creating an allergy and food management plan, and treatment options. 👇

A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. Food allergies are most common in babies and children, but they can occur at any age. They also occur more often in children who have other allergies or who have family members with allergies. Learn more here.​

05/21/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, May 25th, for the Memorial Day holiday. 🇺🇸

05/19/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While social media can help teens stay connected, too much social media time or unhealthy habits around using it can lead to depression, anxiety, loneliness, or low self-esteem. It can also interfere with kids' sleep, which can impact their health further.📱

That doesn’t mean social media automatically causes depression, but it’s important for families to pay attention to how online experiences affect their child’s mood, behavior, and overall well-being. Open conversations, healthy screen habits, and device-free time can make a difference. Learn more here. 👇

Is using social media making our kids unhappy? Evidence is mounting that there is a link between social media and depression. How us of Instagram and other platforms may be negatively affecting teenagers and young adults.

05/18/2026

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!