February Newsletter
Mental health, well-being, neurodivergence, education, and policy shifts that will affect most US citizens.
Greetings!
It’s been quite a month. You might be one of the fortunate few who are not stressed. But for many folks in the U.S (regardless of how you voted), rapid-fire policy changes and uncertainty about the future have been quite a challenge. (More on this in several articles listed below.)
And if you are stressed, I hope you are tending to your needs, pacing yourself with news exposure, and finding as many supportive, calming, and distracting activities as possible. For additional ideas, my article, An Emotional Toolkit for the U.S. Inauguration offers strategies that still apply a month later.
On a separate note, I want to thank those of you who participated in the online gifted parenting survey that Dr. Kali Fedor and I initiated. We received hundreds of responses, so have closed the survey and now will be analyzing the data. We are grateful to all who participated.
The following are some great articles I have stumbled across this month:
How a shared sense of reality can improve your relationships: Shared Reality in Relationships Reduces Uncertainty and Boosts Meaning in Life, Study Finds.
What worries Americans most? See these survey results: America’s Top Causes of Anxiety Revealed.
Boys bring their own set of child-raising challenges to the table (as I discovered raising two of them!). Read or listen here: Boys Face Unique Challenges: Here’s How to Help Them Thrive.
Even if you’re not an Eagles fan, this article sheds light on some unique traits among elite athletes. The Secrets of Super Bowl Athletes: Strength, Agility… and Conscientiousness?
What are the physiological effects of loneliness and isolation? Loneliness and Social Isolation Leave a Mark on the Blood.
What do dreams really mean? Read here: Why are Recurring Dreams Usually Bad Ones?
On this Black History Month, some reflections from Black students about AP African American studies: What Students Have to Say About Their Black History Class.
What to look for in a Summer camp for your child with ADHD: The Complete ADHD Camp Guide.
How policy changes may affect access to mental health services and suicide hotline responsiveness: Mental Health Agency Loses 1 in 10 Staffers to DOGE Cuts, 988 hotline Team Impacted.
And a few of my recent articles:
Social Media in the New Millennium is Crushing our Self-esteem. How social media and other media influences affect self-esteem and body image… and what you can do about it.
Raising Kids Doesn’t Have to Be Like Herding Cats. How to enlist both your child’s cooperation and their trust.
The Mental Health Impact of the Current State of Affairs. Recent policy changes in the U.S. will result in challenges to mental health research and treatment. What to know and what you can do.
Making America Suffer Again? Another week; another spate of policy decisions that affect mental health.
(Note: If the first two articles above are under a paywall, please email me at gailpostphd@gmail.com and I will send you a “friend” link.)
Dear readers, I want you to know that I am trying to strike a balance between publishing articles related to giftedness and neurodivergence, and a broader range of topics related to mental health, relationships, parenting, aging, and well-being.
I hope you bear with me as I find some equilibrium with this!
I realize that some of my recent articles could be viewed as political opinion pieces, since I describe how proposed U.S. policy changes could directly impact mental health research and treatment. I realize this might offend some readers, although that is certainly not my intention. But I will continue to share news about funding cuts or policies that negatively impact mental health since this affects just about every family, regardless of political affiliations.
Wishing you safe travels through these difficult times!
Please share with others, hit the “like” button, and let me know your thoughts, opinions, or ideas in the comments section below!
Thank you