Joss Burns

Change is hard for any child, but what happens when that change involves national policy and community-wide uncertainty? The fact is, "collective fear" impacts the neurodevelopment of our youngest members of society. Anyone who has small children or works with them will know that they often struggle to deal with change. We can see this with even the smallest shifts in what they’re used to – changes that almost appear banal to us as adults. As the Child Mind Institute says, “Dealing with...

It’s that time of year where children have either gone back to school or are in preparations for the big return. After the summer break, it is normal for this prospect to be met with resistance by the child. In fact, a study in the UK “of 500 young people aged 11-16 years found that two in five found the return following the long summer break the most anxiety-inducing.” As with all mental health issues, there are many levels and nuances to this phenomenon. It ranges from being an entirely...

We recently published an article on the "quiet crisis" of senior loneliness. It spent some time highlighting the issue and offering context for those of us who only vaguely know it exists. But for those facing this daily, it takes a closer look to discover how caregivers and loved ones can get to the core of the issue. MHAI's Morayo Orija spoke with Sharon Dornberg-Lee, LCSW, Clinical Director of Community Services at CJE SeniorLife in Rogers Park, Chicago. As an expert in the field, Sharon...