Skip to content

Do you need immediate help?

About
- Our Impact
- News
  - Media Relations
  - Video Library
Resources
Advocate
Contact
- Share Your Story
Donate

Menu

About
- Our Impact
- News
  - Media Relations
  - Video Library
Resources
Advocate
Contact
- Share Your Story
Donate

Search

Close

News About Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health from Kids’ Minds Matter

Discover the latest news, stories and advocacy opportunities related to children’s mental and behavioral health in the Southwest Florida region with the Kids’ Minds Matter blog. Also, follow Kids’ Minds Matter on Facebook, or sign up for the Kids’ Minds Matter email list to receive updates in your inbox:

Trauma and PTSD in Children

June is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. PTSD used to be called “shell shock” or “battle fatigue” because it often affected war veterans. However, PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. In general, kids are resilient and have the capacity to quickly recover from traumatic events. Some children may experience incredibly stressful events that impact how they think and feel with [...]

Mental Health Mondays – Normal is Overrated: Breaking the Mental Health Stigma for SWFL Teens

On Monday, May 10, Carly McGovern, founder of the Fort Myers Progress Panel, and Damini Parkhi, student leader, talked about Normal is Overrated, a program to help SWFL Teens talk about their mental health experiences to break the stigma and help teens find mental health support. VIEW SEGMENT What is Normal is Overrated? Fort Myers Progress Panel was founded by Carly McGovern, who then [...]

Mental Health Mondays – Maternal Mental Health: Postpartum Depression and More

On Monday, May 3, Tara Kellogg of Chrysalis Health and Shannon Wisely, Fort Myers licensed mental health counselor, discussed maternal mental health “When Motherhood Hurts” at the beginning of maternal mental health awareness week. What is Maternal Mental Health? It is a newer term that has been created to replace the more well-known, but outdated term “postpartum depression,” which is not exactly accurate. We [...]

Mental Health Mondays – Lee Health: A Team Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder

View Upcoming Sessions “Lee Health: A Team Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder” On Monday, April 5, Dr. Jason Sabo, pediatric developmental and behavioral specialist, Dr. Guillermo Phillips, pediatric neurology specialist, Dr. Margie Morales, pediatric development and behavioral specialist, and Jillian DaGraca, autism navigator, discussed Autism Spectrum Disorder and what Lee Health is doing to take care of these patients. Dr. Sabo: What is [...]

Stress in Children: Signs, Symptoms and Strategies

We are all living in a time of increased stress these days. Our world as we know it has undergone a drastic shift. As a result, our children are not immune to the impact. Like adults, many kids are struggling right now. It reflects the current state of the world, not parenting skills. Children are remarkable “noticers.” Have you ever experienced your child parroting [...]

Mental Health Mondays – Play Therapy… It’s Not All Fun and Games

View Upcoming Sessions “Play Therapy… It’s Not All Fun and Games” On Monday, March 29, Dr. Susan Hook, founder and executive director, Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, Inc. and Dr. Joel Montalvo, director of counseling Services and clinical pastoral counseling, Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, Inc. discussed the benefits of play therapy for child wellness. Integrated Primary Care Behavioral Health Model It’s a [...]

Kids’ Minds Matter educates SWFL community of mental health crisis during ‘Unmasking the Epidemic’ event

Free virtual event shares available resources in region while raising funds to increase access to care FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 30, 2021) – Unmasking the Epidemic, a free virtual event by Kids’ Minds Matter educated the Southwest Florida community of the alarming pediatric mental health crisis faced by children and families today, while also providing the resources currently available in the region for those seeking [...]

Mental Health Mondays – Accessing Early Childhood Screening & Intervention

View Upcoming Sessions “Accessing Early Childhood Screening & Intervention” On Monday, March 1, Dr. Beth McBride, Director of Early Learning for Collier County Public School District; Dr. Courtney Whitt, Director of Integrated Behavioral Health for Healthcare Network; Danielle Cwikla, ESE Coordinator for Collier County Public Schools; Dr. Deidre Phillips, Coordinator of the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS); and Imperia Torres, Family Resource [...]

Unmasking the Epidemic: A Pediatric Mental Health Event

It is no secret that COVID-19 has impacted our community, businesses, nonprofits and families. As a result, the isolation and uncertainty have also led to long-term pediatric mental health implications. To help address the pediatric mental health impacts to area children, Kids’ Minds Matter is hosting a free “Unmasking the Epidemic” virtual event on March 18. LEARN MORE What can I expect at [...]

The Youth Mental Health Epidemic: Student Stories

By Ellie Belcastro I have had to watch my friends struggle with depression and anxiety. As a high school student, listening and being empathetic seemed to be the only help I could offer them. I felt helpless. Fifty percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14. Ninety percent of self-harm starts in adolescence, usually around age 14. That’s why I [...]

Founded in 2016, Kids’ Minds Matter is a unified movement in Southwest Florida dedicated to advancing pediatric mental and behavioral health services. By developing clinical pathways to screen and treat patients, enhancing public awareness through education, and lobbying for systemic change and sustainable funding, Kids’ Minds Matter aims to align mental health providers, local agencies, the judicial system, law enforcement, schools and faith-based organizations. Kids’ Minds Matter is managed through the Lee Health Foundation.

Quick Links

Stay Connected

239-214-0921
info@kidsmindsmatter.com
9800 South HealthPark Drive
Suite 405
Fort Myers, Florida 33908

Follow Us

Subscribe

Newsletter Signup

© 2021 Kids’ Minds Matter | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Priority Marketing | Website Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions | Accessibility