Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2021 i MASK The Magazine

In a world where everything is made to look happy, perfect and well put together, how could this not have an effect on children today? When a child is spending so much time scrolling down the screen looking, comparing and ingesting this “false” narrative, how, as parents, can we protect, redirect and monitor how they are feeling? There are so many things today that can contribute to your child feeling less than, feeling anxious and feeling depressed especially during this past year. We know that genetics and environment play a huge role in mental health. Research has also shown that people with parents or siblings who have depression are up to three times more likely to have the condition. While I have never struggled with depression or have felt anxiety…

Before you give your child a cell phone—or if your child already has one—make an agreement with your child to use it responsibly. The days of using a cell phone for phone calls only are history. Sexting, cyberbullying and “text bombing” are very real concerns and should be discussed early. With the Parent/Child Cell Phone Contract, parents and their children can openly discuss and agree upon the responsibilities that come with having a cell phone. Download the free MASKMatters App today to access the contract and get the conversation started at www.maskmatters.org…

DRUG If your child starts asking questions about drugs, give them honest answers and don’t fabricate information that you don’t really know. Instead, if you don’t have an answer, offer to look it up together so you aren’t spreading misinformation. BULLY Praise your child for good deeds they do to steer them away from negative behaviors like being violent or mean to other kids. Small things like sharing or being a good sport when they lose a game can teach them how to correctly react to emotional situations. MASK’S MAKING THE GRADE SECTION, VISIT PAGE 48 TECH It’s important to watch media with young children so you can explain to them what they are seeing. Not only will this allow you to monitor what media they watch, it will also…

ROLL THE DICE Take the “work” out of workout with this Fitness Dice set. The seven wooden cubes require your body weight and will, making it the perfect fitness routine you can do anytime, anywhere. $19. uncommongoods.com PEN TO PAPER Help your teen grow into a confident and happy adult with the Big Life Journal. The beautifully designed book is filled with positive-thinking exercises and thoughtful words of wisdom. $24.95. biglifejournal.com CALMING KIT Keep calm with this relaxation kit by Saje that includes a stress release oil blend, stress release inhaler, and finger massager. $32. saje.com FRESH FACE Give your skincare products long life by storing them in the Beauty Fridge. Available in a rainbow of colors, it makes for a cute addition to your makeup routine. $99. beautyfridge.com GET…

In 2018, the American Psychological Association (APA) conducted its 12th annual Stress in America survey to understand what causes stress in Americans’ lives and their strategies for coping with stress. The Harris Poll conducted the survey online on behalf of APA among 3,458 respondents ages 18+ living in the United States. The survey results show that high-profile issues, such as sexual harassment and gun violence, are significant stressors for Gen Z. America’s youngest adults are most likely of all generations to report poor mental health, and Gen Z is also significantly more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues. Here’s a look at the issues Gen Z is most stressed about. ▶SAFETY For a majority of Gen Z youth, gun violence—mass shootings and school shootings—are significant sources of…

Q: All of my friends are in relationships, but it seems like nobody wants to be in a relationship with me. It makes me feel like there’s something wrong with me or I’m not good enough. I’m starting to get sad and anxious about never being in a relationship. Is this normal? — Danielle, 8th grade, Los Angeles, California A: Yes, this is absolutely normal! It’s no surprise that you’re feeling like you’re missing out on something when everyone else around you is doing it. But you have to remember that your self-worth isn’t based on what other people think about you. Just because you aren’t talking to anyone special or you aren’t in a relationship now doesn’t mean that you never will. Instead of focusing on your friends’ relationships,…

I suffer from mental illness and all of its ugly, painful effects. My hope is to inspire others to come out and share their stories without fear and to inspire others to educate themselves and try to understand. This is not my way of trying to get sympathy or play victim. This is the most real I can be in summing up a lifetime of pain, about a subject that needs to be discussed openly and publicly in order to save lives and end stigma. I suffer from major depression that does not stem from situational circumstances and I have suicidal tendencies. Not to say some life-changing situations did not affect my depression, but for the most part, it is biological. As it stands now in society, mental illness becomes…

When people say that children are sponges, they aren’t kidding. According to Michigan State University, most children learn through observational learning. That’s why it’s not only important for parents to set a good example, but also to surround their children with adults who also set good examples because they are learning from them, too. It may feel awkward at first asking friends or family to change their language or actions around your child. But if you want the best for them, setting them up with positive role models is the least you can do. You may think you’re doing everything right as a parent, but remember that your child is always watching, even when you aren’t doing “parental duties.” For example, if you’re putting a dresser together and it becomes…

As parents become stricter, kids inevitably become sneakier. This is apparent by the various everyday objects kids use to do drugs or transport alcohol. If you suspect your child is using drugs, but you can’t find evidence in their room or cars, then you may not be looking in the right places. When it comes to marijuana, there are various objects that people have been known to smoke with. The typical pipe has a bowl to put the marijuana in and a hole on the other end to inhale the smoke. However, kids have also used aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, pens, apples and even toilet paper rolls to smoke. One of the more surprising items used was Starburst candy, which was molded into a pipe for smoking. While these…

As any parent knows, communicating with your child can be a challenge. Parents compete with friends, technology and screens, and just about anything else they’d rather do than have a heart-to-heart talk with mom and dad. Fred Peipman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in San Francisco, says one technique that may be helpful is using the time in the car to talk. “There are a number of reasons why this seems to be more effective than a lecture or ‘discussion’ at home or elsewhere,” he says. They are: ✪ You have a captive audience. Your passenger cannot leave at any time (at least safely). ✪ It’s less threatening. Sitting beside or, better yet, behind a parent can feel less intimidating or less threatening to a child or adolescent. ✪ Car rides…

It seems like the terms depression and anxiety are thrown around a lot these days, but what do these words truly mean and how are they impacting today’s youth? Both depression and anxiety are mental health issues marked by internalized distress. These terms are defined in many ways throughout society, but diagnostically speaking, an individual must meet specific criteria to be diagnosed with either depression or anxiety. Regardless of these diagnostic definitions, however, individuals can experience bouts of depressed mood or anxious tendencies without struggling with a specific mental health disorder. In fact, most people experience some level of depression and anxiety throughout their lives. Let’s be honest, we all have our moments when we feel low or when everything just feels like too much. So why do people keep…

If there’s a young person in your life, it’s important to be aware of this growing trend in loneliness. And if you know a teen or young adult who may be struggling with these feelings, here are some tips to share with them that may help to prevent or diminish loneliness. + Extend yourself by giving to others. Reaching out to others is key. This may be helping others in need, becoming a volunteer in providing services in your community, or joining a community organization. The process not only helps extract you from physical isolation, the gratitude of connecting with others is a relief. We also know that the process of giving releases oxytocin in the brain, and this is instrumental in feeling attached. + Join a group with others…

Recent findings by the Centers for Disease Control and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show that anxiety and depression is on the rise in youth and adolescents. There is no clear cause for the rise in mental health concerns among our youth, but as families, we can do our best to immunize them against developing mental health challenges by fostering individual and family resiliency. “Focusing on the development of the adaptable ability to ‘bounce back’ can be a family goal, as well as an individual goal,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Resilient children are able to tolerate frustration, regulate their feelings, and maintain a healthy outlook in the face of adversity.” Whether you have an Pre-K, elementary, junior high, high school or…

For many young people, college can be stressful. For some, it’s their first experience away from home or dealing with their new independence. To help ensure a smooth transition to college and to maintain balance and well-being, Jessica Gold, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, offers these tips. + PRIORITIZE SLEEP. In college, it is almost a badge of honor to “pull an all-nighter.” It doesn’t matter how cool it may be or how many more hours you could spend studying by staying awake, getting enough sleep is critical to your health and well-being in college. Without good sleep, you are at risk of developing both physical and mental illness, and you also become less able to function in…

Almost everyone enjoys sitting down to a delicious, home-cooked meal. But people who prepare those meals generally fall into two categories: those who see whipping up the family dinner as a necessary evil, and those who truly know the joy of cooking. One factor that accounts for this vastly different approach to meal preparation is the role “kitchen time” played in one’s own childhood. Those for whom certain kitchen smells and sounds conjure up positive memories of holiday baking with grandma or helping mom at the stove aren’t only lucky, but much more likely to understand that putting dinner on the table can satisfy a need much stronger than hunger. Thoughtful meal planning, preparation and presentation is a way to show affection for those we love, and eating together at…

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly-changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK helps children learn invaluable life skills for how to cope with a number of issues including responding to peer pressure, dealing with trauma and technology-related challenges. In today’s viral and social media world, coping skills are more necessary than ever. MASK equips students to feel confident regulating their emotions, maintaining frustration tolerance and setting healthy boundaries. MASK has served the community, for over a decade, with the goal of strengthening…

Spending quality time with family can be challenging when everyone’s attention is stuck on their phones. That’s why implementing a screen check challenge in your household is a must if you’re trying to create quality time with the family and bring everyone closer together. The idea behind a screen check challenge is to hold each other accountable for managing the time they spend on their devices and the time they spend with the family. ➛ To get started, choose a day and time that everyone can come together and compare screen times. A good time could be before dinner—after each person checks their usage for the day, they can place their device in a basket where it can’t be used during dinner time. To get everyone invested and make it…

There are many reasons to visit Mexico: balmy weather, delicious food and welcoming people. But there’s more to this stunning country than meets the eye. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula is Tulum, best known for its stunning beaches, stunning cenotes and Mayan ruins. If your next family vacation brings you to this tropical paradise, add these destinations to your must-see list. ❂ KAAN LUUM LAGOON Kaan Luum is one of Tulum’s best-kept secrets. Mayan for tierra amarilla (“yellow land”), it is a chromatic turquoise lagoon with areas that are no deeper than 6 feet, so you can swim peacefully and rub the mineral-rich mud on your body. There is also an enormous cenote (a natural swimming hole) in the middle of the lagoon, which is perfectly distinguishable from the rest…

CHILD READING LIST ✪ “My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing” by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor PARENT READING LIST ✪ “The Whole Brain Child” 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind” by Daniel Segel and Tina Bryson ✪ “Creative Ways to Help Children Manage Big Feelings: A Therapist’s Guide to Working with Preschool and Primary Children” by Fiona Zanot Our toddlers and kindergartners are working hard at learning social skills, adjusting to going to school, and engaging with different environments away from home. There are so many new experiences they are negotiating, which makes it so easy for them to get mad and frustrated. This is a critical stage in which caregiver responsivity is crucial to help them develop emotional regulation skills. Emotional regulation is the…

To help parents and their college-aged child understand the causes, warning signs and effects of stress and anxiety in college students, we asked Rachel Bahadar, LPC, ASU Counseling Services, Associate Director/Clinical Director, to provide some insight and advice. Here’s what she shared. Q What are the primary causes of stress and anxiety in college students? There are several primary causes of stress and anxiety in college students. One is academics. Students are learning how to manage their time and organize their homework and assignments, while adjusting to the transition of moving into a new environment and experiencing life in a new home, state or country. Many students are also working on top of attending classes, and studying and balancing this can be difficult and increase stress. The stress of balancing…

SNICKERDOODLE MUFFINS ¼ cup butter, softened¼ cup shortening, softened½ cup sugar1 egg1-½ cups all-purpose flour1-½ tsp. baking powder½ tsp. salt¼ tsp. nutmeg½ cup milk⅓ cup butter, melted½ cup sugar1 tsp. cinnamon ▶ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with 12 muffin liners. If you don’t use liners, be sure to grease the edges of the tin to prevent the muffins from sticking to the sides. Combine softened butter, softened shortening, ½ cup sugar and egg, and beat lightly until light and fluffy. The mixture should be light yellow in color. Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in a separate small bowl, then mix into the butter and sugar mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until incorporated, but be sure not to overmix as that will create…

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