CINCINNATI (WKRC) – As summer begins and school routines fade, mental health experts say some children can struggle without the structure and support they rely on during the school year.
Psychiatrists at the Lindner Center of Hope say the school environment can provide built-in stability for young people who may be dealing with mental health concerns.
As summer begins and school routines fade, mental health experts say some children can struggle without the structure and support they rely on during the school year. (WKRC)
“A lot of times that provides structure, it provides caring adults, and it also allows for some social interaction—all built in while you’re learning things along the way,” said Dr. Tracy Cummings, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Lindner Center of Hope.
Experts say summer can be especially tricky for some children because that structure and routine often go away. Cummings urged parents to pay close attention to changes in behavior.
“So, when you see things happening a little differently, maybe they’re not sleeping as well, maybe they’re changing the way they’re communicating with others or being involved—that’s something you want to pay more attention to,” said Cummings.
For children who may need extra support, Lindner Center of Hope offers a Summer Skills program. The outpatient program is designed to help young people build better communication skills, learn how to effectively handle stressful situations, and adapt for future needs.
The Summer Skills program is for children ages 12 to 18 and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. three days a week. The program typically lasts three to four weeks, depending on a person’s progress. Summer Skills runs now through Aug. 14 and is accepting new members. No particular diagnosis is required to attend.
Cummings said parents can help by creating a summer schedule that includes both planned activities and time to relax.
“I think summertime can be a nice way to find a balance between scheduled activities; someone doesn’t need to have something planned every hour of each day, some scheduled activities plus some downtime,” said Cummings.
For more information about the Summer Skills program and other offerings at Lindner Center of Hope, call (513)-536-4673.