Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is a best selling author, award-winning Selfie Filmmaker, Zoom Drama Creator, Positive Psychologist and podcaster who helps us overcome anxiety and alienation through multiple media channels
According to an article on the ABC News site titled, 'New study shows rise in kids diagnosed with mental health conditions: What parents should know', our young people are in the midst of a serious mental health crisis. As stated in the article, "Between 2016 and 2020, the number of children ages 3 to 17 who were diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29% and those with depression by 27%, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, a medical journal.
"From 2019 to 2020, researchers found a 21% increase in children with behavior or conduct problems, according to the study."
And that's not all. "I'm deeply concerned as a parent and as a doctor that the obstacles this generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate and the impact that's having on their mental health is devastating," U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in testimony before senators in February.
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year that emergency department visits for suicide attempts among teen girls were up more than 50% at the beginning of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019."
Bestselling author and film maker Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is a licensed psychologist in private practice in New Jersey and Massachusetts, with her husband Dr. Russell Holstein, also a psychologist. She specializes in positive psychology as well as other issues associated with girls and women. In her bestselling book, '7 Ways To Help Your Family Recover From The Pandemic', she offers some valuable information regarding how we can take action now:
"On one hand, we could see the pandemic as a catastrophic tragedy, because of the loss of connection with nearly all the things that make up the common teenage experience. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to transform that dreadful experience into something constructive.
"Humor, as old as humankind, is an amazing adjunct to lifting one’s spirits, enduring painful times and realizing how many times humor can lessen the pain around a lost opportunity or a delay that you must endure. Encourage your children to practice humor, collect funny jokes that can be shared, and see the possible pot of gold that will emerge later when something special can happen.
"Sometimes we forget how much kids suffer during hard times. Just because they're young and strong physically, can stay up half the night and laugh hysterically, does not mean that they are immune to the suffering going on around them and around the world because of the coronavirus. In fact, kids are very susceptible to all sorts of emotional upheavals because they're not fully developed emotionally. That takes many, many years. They have reactions that include anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, frustration, disappointment, unhappiness, tears, gloomy feelings and thoughts, and even worse.
"Sadly, the news is now bringing up at least one suicide by a pre-teen youngster. So, it is extremely important for everybody to not only protect the mental health of adults but also of children, tweens, teens and young adults.
Some suggestions:
1. Be your own investigator. Is your child despondent and hanging in his or her room too much? Is he very sour or critical, or do you hear him crying or getting irritated? Is she not eating enough or binging? Listen and watch. Observe any changes that could reflect anxiety or depression or other problems.
2. You are your child’s guardian and protector. Don't be afraid to take charge. Sit down and share with him, perhaps some examples of worries or anxiety or sleeplessness that you may be experiencing. Encourage him to share with you what he is feeling and what is happening in his life. Reassure that we will get to solutions and good news.
3. If your daughter is disappointed because she's not going to a prom, perhaps you and she can still order some clothing online that absolutely delights her. Or maybe she can get all dressed up and the family can have a fancy dinner in her honor.
4.If your child is experiencing a lot of anxiety or other symptoms, it may be time to call his physician. Do not ignore serious symptoms.
5. If you see more serious things going on, make sure you talk to a professional who can direct you with advice and connections. Your child is precious!
6.Try to bring fun and harmony into your family life. This may mean watching funny shows together, laughing as cats and dogs run around in crazy ways on YouTube, or watching comedies. It can also mean feeling free to tell and share family stories that end with humor or a happy ending. Think about reaching out to grandparents to share Zoom meals together, invite cousins that may want to join once a week in a shared dinner, and all sorts of ideas that you pull out of your own hat of creativity. Your desire to make this a growth experience that has some pleasant, enjoyable moments and some serious moments of learning will help your kids adapt and be resilient forever.
Much more is available in '7 Ways To Help Your Family Recover From The Pandemic', available at Amazon.
As a school psychologist and in her private practice, Dr. Holstein has worked with many children and parents, helping them to develop life skills in decision-making, recognition of their own talents, feel more courageous, and helping both kids and parents develop more successful inter-generational skills. Her last book, ‘Conflict and a Bit of Magic’, helps kids build self-esteem though reading the journal of a girl, identifying with the girl, and understanding they have more courage and resiliency than they thought they had. The book is based on the experiences of the already famous “girl” from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', and achieved bestseller status in the multi-generational families category.
Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations, most recently based on the Covid-19 pandemic issues, can be found on both YouTube, Vimeo and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV, titled as 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.
Dr. Holstein recently created The Selfie Showcase, a new project emerging from The Selfie Project, that allows young people to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to young people, including the pandemic. She is now accepting submissions from the public for the "Selfie Showcase" and is actively seeking change-makers and mental health professionals to appear on her video podcasts.
The Selfie Showcase allows kids, teens, and young adults ages 13 to 18 to candidly express their concerns, worries, observations and possible solutions by creating selfie videos or films around important subjects using a smartphone. Dr. Holstein's mission is to help rectify, in several ways, some issues young people face by giving them a chance to engage with others in meaningful ways about the anxiety and stress they must grapple with constantly.
Selected participants may appear on the Selfie Project Channel, available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uaOTcYF70z5CpBh11VoUQ. They will also appear in the Selfie Showcase on SelfieFilmmakers.com. They may be invited to be on Holstein's podcast or perhaps be a part of her next film. Full details, rules for submission and helpful hints can be accessed at the Selfie Filmmakers site at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com/instructions.
Holstein's unique Selfie Films have taken many awards and have been shown in many film festivals and competitions. A full list, now over 100, can be found at Enchantedself.com.
Holstein's podcast series is actively seeking change-makers and visionaries to appear on her podcasts. Dr. Holstein hopes to feature members of traditional media, mental health professionals and educators who can make a real difference in the lives of young people. Many of the podcasts feature young people - to give them a voice regarding their concerns and their solutions. Guests, if accepted, can arrange to appear by contacting Dr. Holstein directly.
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com. ‘Seven Ways To Help Your Family Recover From The Pandemic’ is available at Amazon. More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Selfie videos and selfie films can be uploaded at the site. Potential podcast guests can contact Dr. Holstein by email. More information is available at her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting. Her Roku channel is: The Enchanted Self Presents.
She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Honey Good, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, Women’s World, The Wall Street Journal, Psychcentral.com, Time online, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
732-571-1200
http://www.enchantedself.com
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