Guest Post:Smart Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning Beyond School Walls

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Busy parents supporting children’s education often see the same pattern: school is happening, but learning beyond the classroom feels stuck. Some children face academic struggles that chip away at confidence, while others breeze through worksheets and grow bored, and both scenarios can turn home learning into nightly friction. The hardest part is […]

A new study suggests that the main trigger for trichotillomania is not distress, frustration, or other intense negative feelings, but under stimulation or boredom: A new study suggests that the main trigger for trichotillomania is not stress, frustration, or other intense negative feelings, but under stimulation or boredom: https://www.sciencealert.com/trichotillomania-new-study-explains-why-people-feel-compelled-to-pull-out-their-own-hair?utm_source=news.sciencealert.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=today-s-top-science-news

This video offers some expert tips for parents feeling anxious about dropping off their college freshman: https://abc7ny.com/amp/videoClip/19668197

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info For high school and college-bound teens balancing classes, homework, activities, and constant notifications, burnout can show up as numbness, irritability, and a sudden drop in dopamine and motivation. When the brain stays in stress mode, teen mental health takes a hit and basic tasks start to feel heavier than they should. Whimsy maxxing is […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Busy professionals juggling work, family, and health often begin a personal development journey with real energy, then watch it fade into guilt and stop-start progress. The core tension is that self-improvement challenges tend to reward intensity at first, but that same push can drain long-term motivation and quietly undermine burnout prevention. When […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Parenting a child with behavioral or mental health challenges can make everyday life feel like a nonstop cycle of responsibilities. Between appointments, school concerns, emotional ups and downs, and household demands, many parents find themselves longing for vacation—not just for the break, but for the feeling that comes with it. Vacations often […]

This is an interview that I did recently with the pixel project (an online volunteer based nonprofit organization seeking to address violence against women): https://www.thepixelproject.net/2026/06/01/fathers-for-pixels-interview-series-2026-jamie-rishikof/

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Parents of teens with depression, anxiety, or behavioral challenges often feel stuck between protecting their child and pushing them forward. When school feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to reduce expectations. But one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — supports for struggling teens is meaningful ownership in school-wide projects. When students take […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Busy parents managing child behavior shifts and teenagers carrying school and social pressure often feel stuck when plans change overnight and emotions run high. Navigating uncertainty can turn small disagreements into ongoing family conflicts, especially when communication breaks down and everyone is trying to feel safe in their own way. Mental resilience […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Parents of children and teenagers often notice that managing major life changes, a move, separation, a new school, a loss, a new caregiver, doesn’t just alter schedules; it can change how everyone feels and behaves at home. The emotional challenges of transitions can show up as irritability, shutdowns, clinginess, defiance, or sudden […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Life changes fast — sometimes beautifully, sometimes brutally. Whether it’s a new career, a relationship ending, becoming a parent, or moving to a new city, transitions test who we are. But they also reveal who we can become. The ability to navigate these moments with clarity, courage, and compassion determines not just […]

Despite what seems to make sense the common idea of “venting” to reduce and relieve anger does not actually work well, and deescalating, soothing, and calming activities are far more effective: https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-else-does-study-discovers https://news.osu.edu/breathe-dont-vent-turning-down-the-heat-is-key-to-managing-anger

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Mental well-being isn’t just about eliminating stress; it’s about creating conditions that allow you to thrive. In an age of digital overload and social fragmentation, small, creative adjustments can make a profound difference. TL;DR Explore data-backed mental health resources at Mind or National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reimagining Your Path for Well-Being Sometimes mental renewal […]

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Mindfulness isn’t a luxury or a trend — it’s a simple shift in how you experience daily life. By paying full attention to what’s happening right now — without judgment — you can reduce stress, increase focus, and find calm even in chaos. TL;DR Mindfulness means noticing the present moment — what […]

Debunking the common myths of catharsis (including rage rooms and exercise) or venting as methods for managing and reducing anger, and exploring what has proven more effective: https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-else-does-says-study?utm_source=ScienceAlert+-+Daily+Email+Updates&utm_campaign=2f318da938-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe5632fb09-2f318da938-365490661

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info Managing stress is something everyone wrestles with, and while you might turn to familiar strategies like exercise or meditation, there’s something quietly transformative about finding your way back to creativity. Whether you’re sketching out thoughts, molding ideas into music, or simply doodling at the edge of a page, creative outlets offer relief […]

A trending method called “cognitive shuffling” has some solid research as an activity to help insomniacs get to sleep: https://www.sciencealert.com/cognitive-shuffling-really-could-help-insomniacs-get-to-sleep

by Melissa Howard ⎸melissa@stopsuicide.info You don’t have to raise the next president or CEO to help your child become a leader. Leadership, at its core, is about influence, decision-making, and the ability to bring people together around a shared goal. It’s not about bossing others or standing out in front of a crowd with a microphone […]

A new study confirms that any screen time use is associates with an increase in the odds of sleep problems https://www.sciencealert.com/screen-time-in-bed-may-increase-insomnia-odds-study-suggests

This article looks at a meta analysis of the research on using exercise and venting as a cathartic release for anger: https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-else-does-study-reveals?utm_source=ScienceAlert+-+Daily+Email+Updates&utm_campaign=1f8061a361-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe5632fb09-1f8061a361-365490661