It's our season finale, and we're turning the questions over to YOU! In this special listener Q&A episode, hosts Wini King and Kristen Pyrc, M.D., tackle your most pressing questions about childhood mental health. From anxiety and stress management to navigating FOMO through the summer months, we'll be offering expert advice and practical tips to empower you to raise resilient and joyful kids.

This is your chance to get the insights you've been waiting for… and don’t worry, we will be back with a brand new season in August 2024.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy features a truly inspiring story of resilience, hope, and giving back. Kelli Stahl, a nurse at Cook Children's Pediatrics Henderson, shares her remarkable journey as a childhood cancer patient who found a second chance caring for others.

We'll hear about the incredible support Kelli received from her care team, and how she’s sharing her journey in a new book called, “My Fight My Story.” Kelli's story is a powerful testament to the healing power of joy, and how Cook Children's fosters that spirit in both patients and caregivers.

This episode is a celebration of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find purpose in giving back.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode, we explore the unique educational environment of Jane Justin School at Cook Children's Child Study Center.

Our guest, Tracie Mann, Ph.D., LBA, shares how Jane Justin School supports children aged 3-21 with developmental and learning disabilities.

We'll delve into the school's philosophy, which emphasizes individualized instruction, small class sizes, and a focus on mastering skills. If you're interested in learning more about how Jane Justin School empowers students with complex needs to achieve their full potential, this episode is for you!

Learn more about the Jane Justin School here: https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/child-study-center/jane-justin-school/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

Warning: This episode includes conversation about youth self-harm and suicide.

Recent news of suicides among teens in North Texas has sent shockwaves through our community. Raising Joy hosts Kristen Pyrc, M.D., and Wini King take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreak being felt by so many and to share resources for healing.

Help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling, speak with someone today by calling 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.

Additional resources:

• Mental Health America of Greater Tarrant County: https://mhatc.org/loss-team/
• GriefShare: Find a Group - GriefShare
• Survivors of Suicide: Suicide Loss Support Groups | Alliance of Hope
• The WARM Place: https://www.thewarmplace.org/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode of Raising Joy, we delve into the critical issue of physician burnout with Kirk Pinto, M.D., a pediatric urologist, and Sara Garza, M.D., a primary care physician. These leaders in physician well-being at Cook Children’s join us to shed light on this growing concern.

We'll explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, its impact on doctors, families, and patient care, and most importantly, strategies for prevention and management. Drs. Pinto and Garza will share practical self-care tips, the role of health care institutions in fostering well-being, and resources available to physicians struggling with burnout.

Whether you're a parent supporting a future doctor or a health care professional yourself, this episode offers valuable insights and hope for creating a more sustainable and fulfilling medical career.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode of Raising Joy, we delve into a topic close to many parents' hearts: the mental health of children with complex medical needs. Our expert guests are Carla Morton, Ph.D., and Marsha Gabriel, Ph.D., neuropsychologists from Cook Children's.

We'll explore:

• What is neuropsychology and how does it relate to children's health?
• Common complex medical conditions and associated mental health challenges.
• Warning signs parents should watch for in their children.
• Practical strategies parents can use to support their children's mental well-being at home.
• The range of emotions parents of children with complex medical needs may experience.
• Dr. Morton's personal experience as a parent of a child with special needs.
• Things parents might not realize about raising a child with complex medical needs.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy dives into the unseen but crucial work of building a strong and resilient community for children and families. Hosts Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc welcome Breanna Anderson and Jammie Josephson, managers of the ACE's Team at the Center for Community Health at Cook Children's.

The conversation explores:

• Understanding ACES: They'll break down what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) are and their impact on children's health.
• The ACE's Team in Action: Learn about the team's mission and the programs they offer to support parents and families.
• Building Hope: Breanna and Jammie will share a success story that highlights the positive impact of their work.
• The Power of Community Outreach: Discover why taking these resources directly into communities is essential for building resilience.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy saddles up for an inspiring conversation about mental health with Hallie Sheade, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S, Executive Director of S.T.E.P.S. With Horses. Dr. Sheade, a licensed professional counselor who incorporates horses into her therapy sessions, will reveal the surprising power of these majestic creatures to help people and kids open up, learn, and heal in ways traditional talk therapy sometimes can't. Join us as we explore the unique benefits of equine-assisted services and discover how horses can become powerful partners on the path to mental well-being.

Learn more here: https://www.stepswithhorses.org/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy tackles a tough but crucial topic: child sex trafficking. Our guest, Stacey Henley, a child abuse expert from Cook Children's C.A.R.E. team, offers a powerful perspective. Stacey sheds light on the realities of child victimization, but also empowers parents with knowledge. 

Join us for this important conversation and learn how we can all work together to create a safer environment for our children.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

What kind of impact can a single pair of shoes have on a child’s life? According to Sam Sayed, a medical student at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine, the impact can be life-altering. At least this was the case for his own life. 

On this special episode of Raising Joy, Sam talks to us about his nonprofit, Dayna's Footprints, which he started with his brother Sharif Sayed. Their mission is, “To combat learning inequity by providing students shoes to wear proudly, subsequently increasing students’ self-esteem and enthusiasm for attending school.” 

Sam tells shares his story of growing up underprivileged in Arlington, Texas, and how a pair of shoes gifted by his sister Dayna changed the trajectory of the brothers’ lives. 

Watch their TedX talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_sharif_sayed_a_day_in_their_shoes/transcript

ABC News Story: https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-medical-student-back-community-free-shoes-nonprofit/story?id=105805418

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21, 2024. Join us for an uplifting conversation with Alexis Pechek and Ileana Hamilton, two parents whose lives have been enriched by their children with Down syndrome. They'll share their honest journeys - from navigating the initial diagnosis to the beautiful ways their families have grown. This episode is a beacon of hope for any parent facing a new Down syndrome diagnosis, reminding us of the profound joy these incredible children bring to the world.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Life with a furry friend brings countless moments of joy, but for children, the loss of a beloved pet can be an incredibly difficult experience. This Raising Joy episode tackles this sensitive topic with empathy and guidance, featuring Laura Sonefeld from Cook Children's Sit…Stay...PLAY! program. 

Join us as Laura, a certified child life specialist and Cook Children’s facility dog program coordinator, shares her expertise on how to help children navigate the emotions of pet loss. 

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, hosts Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc answer questions submitted by listeners. They cover everything from helping children deal with bullying, social media, balancing work and home, burn out and self-care. They also talk about what they have learned over the past two years of interviewing guests for Raising Joy. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This episode of Raising Joy dives deep into drugs, alcohol, and substance use disorder among high school and college students. We're joined by Caroline Sahba, LPC-S, LCDC, MBA, Associate Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center at TCU, who brings her expertise in substance use and recovery services to the table.

This episode is essential for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone concerned about the well-being of young adults. Join us as we discuss:

• The current landscape of substance use among high school and college students.
• Warning signs and risk factors to watch out for.
• Effective communication strategies to talk to young people about drugs and alcohol.
• Resources and support available for those struggling with substance use.
• Practical tips for promoting healthy choices and preventing substance use disorder.

Caroline Sahba provides valuable insights and guidance, empowering you to navigate these challenging conversations and support the young adults in your life.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy. Want to find more resources on mental health issues from Cook Children’s? Click here.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This Black History Month, Raising Joy tackles a crucial yet often overlooked topic: mental health within diverse communities. Join us as we welcome Lachelle Goodrich, MA, LPC, a powerhouse of experience and expertise. Lachelle, owner of iLegacy Consulting and Counseling, also spearheads the Choice Neighborhood Initiative for Fort Worth Housing Solutions.

We'll delve into the unique perspectives and challenges surrounding mental health in different cultures. Lachelle, with her wealth of knowledge and lived experience, will shed light on:

• How cultural beliefs and values shape perceptions of mental health.
• Barriers faced by diverse communities in accessing mental health support.
• Culturally-sensitive approaches to promoting mental well-being for ALL children and families.
• Practical tips and resources for fostering open conversations and supporting mental health within your community.

Don't miss this empowering and informative episode! It's time to acknowledge the diverse experiences surrounding mental health and build a more inclusive path towards joy and well-being for all.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Having a child in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a traumatic experience. On this episode of Raising Joy, we’re joined by Helen Thomas, LCSW, PMH-C. Helen is a clinical therapist and licensed social worker specializing in perinatal mental health. She shares invaluable insights into the challenges NICU parents face, offering support and understanding for those navigating this unique journey. This episode emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for both parents and their newborns.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, we welcome Cook Children’s cardiologist Kevin Wilkes, M.D. Join us as we delve into the intricate connection between congenital heart defects and mental health, as Dr. Wilkes sheds light on how conditions like anxiety, depression and ADHD intersect with heart health.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

In this heartwarming episode of Raising Joy, we meet Raymond Turner, the studio producer of Sparklefly Recording Studio in the Child Life Zone at Cook Children's. Raymond's story is one of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of music.

Join us as Raymond shares his inspiring journey to Cook Children's, where he found his calling in creating music for some of the hospital's youngest patients. We'll delve into the deeply moving experience of crafting heartbeat songs memorializing terminal children for their families, a testament to Raymond's unwavering dedication to bringing joy and solace during the most challenging times.

Raymond's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope, healing, and the power of human connection. His work at Cook Children's is a beacon of light, touching the lives of countless families and leaving a mark on their hearts forever.

Raymond also gave a TedX Talk in the spring of 2023. You can watch his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFLwwUj7gHg

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When we think of the holidays, most of us think of good food, family gatherings and beautiful holiday decorations. For many, it’s the happiest time of the year; but for others it’s a very different story.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially those grieving the death of a loved one.

On this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we're joined by Hanna Boyd, CCLS, a child life specialist, and Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care at Cook Children’s. They share their insights on how parents can talk to children and navigate grief as a family during a time of the year that is supposed to be full of joy.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Does your child experience frequent and intense tantrums? Is their irritability and anger impacting their daily life and relationships? This episode delves into the world of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), a condition characterized by persistent irritability and severe temper outbursts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, pediatric psychiatrist Rachel Talbot, M.D., of Cook Children’s sheds light on this misunderstood but common diagnosis. She helps us navigate the complexities of DMDD, differentiating it from other mood disorders like childhood bipolar, and identifying its unique symptoms at home and at school.

Whether you’re a parent seeking understanding and guidance, a teacher hoping to better support students with DMDD, or someone interested in learning about this complex condition, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical insights.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

In this episode, we chat with Laurie Williams George, a mother and doctoral student in educational psychology, about the challenges and rewards of parenting neurodiverse children. We delve into her research on autism and academic performance, as well as her son's heart-wrenching experience with bullying while playing video games online. We also discuss the importance of teaching kids how to behave online.

Laurie is also the creator of the online platform, Parent with Merit, which features articles and information about testing, diagnosis and the intervention process. The site also provides free resources regarding developmental disabilities, including organizations to reach out to and one-page information sheets available for download.

Relevant resources:

• Parent with Merit
• Child Study Center at Cook Children’s

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Setting boundaries with kids is an important part of parenting, but it can also be challenging. In this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we speak with Rebecca Clark, a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s, about the importance of boundaries, how to set them in a loving and supportive way, and how to deal with common challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and healthcare workers who want to learn more about setting boundaries with kids.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

In 2013, Ann Marie Woodruff was involved in a severe traffic accident that crushed her skull. Eight years later, her ongoing path of recovery took a new twist when she had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, a time to highlight the disorder that happens when the brain’s electrical activity misfires – a seizure. People with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at higher risk for developing epilepsy weeks or sometimes years after their brain injury, as in Ann Marie’s case. 

Ann Marie was 7 years old when she was involved in the wreck. The trauma to her brain caused serious complications:

• Removal of forehead bone, to give space for her injured brain to swell
• Reconstruction of her forehead with a titanium plate  
• Physical, speech and occupational therapy during three months of hospitalization
• Problems with reading comprehension, headaches and noise sensitivity
• Then at age 16 … the epilepsy diagnosis

Despite all those challenges, the Euless 18-year-old is now a high school graduate and a licensed driver. She’s following her dream by working at a kennel and attending dog grooming school. The anti-seizure medication she takes causes some sleepiness but has kept her epilepsy under control.  

"Epilepsy stumped us for a few months, but she is such a determined girl that she was not going to let epilepsy keep her down or define who she is or wants to be," said her mother, Carla Woodruff.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures can result from a change in the chemical environment around the brain cells after bruising/bleeding in the brain, or a skull fracture. Early treatment with medication reduces the chance of additional seizures.

Ann Marie fits the higher-risk category for developing epilepsy because she lost some tissue in the frontal lobe of her brain, said Cook Children’s neurology nurse practitioner Erin Davis, APRN, CPNP. Ann Marie sees Davis every six months to manage her epilepsy. When she meets with families in neurology, Davis uses the analogy of file cabinets to explain how the brain stores memories and other functions. 

“It’s all organized,” she said. “And when you have a traumatic brain injury, they all get knocked over. You have to spend time lifting each one back up and then putting the files back in.”  

Ann Marie has come a long way in putting those file cabinets upright thanks to perseverance, a sense of humor, and the skill of her providers at Cook Children’s. “I have spent the last 10 years doing so many things to improve myself and not just be the girl with a brain injury,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy. But I know I’m worth it.”

This is her story.

The Injury

In the second grade, Ann Marie lived in the West Texas town of Anson. She took karate class in Abilene, about 25 miles away. Her dad, Bill Woodruff, picked her up from karate on Jan. 29, 2013, and began driving home. Ann Marie sat in the back buckled into a high-back booster seat. It was dark and dusty, which reduced visibility on the highway.

Bill Woodruff didn’t see the stopped 18-wheeler that was blocking both lanes. Their crew cab truck slammed into the semi’s trailer and went under it. The impact killed Ann Marie’s dad. She took a blow above her right eye, and her skull was shattered.

Paramedics rushed Ann Marie to a hospital in Abilene. She had multiple injuries – including a liver laceration and broken leg -- but the most urgent priority was to relieve pressure from the swelling of her brain. Doctors in Abilene performed a craniectomy, removing most of her forehead bone from ear to ear. Later that night a helicopter transported Ann Marie to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.     

Admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, she remained in a coma for several weeks. Therapy began once she woke up.

“She had to relearn everything … how to walk, how to talk, who she was,” Carla Woodruff said.

Ann Marie’s brain shifted as the swelling and fluid began to subside. Measurements were made via CT scan, and a manufacturer in Germany created a metal device to fit the exact size and shape of her missing bone.

In the meantime, Ann Marie wore a hardshell helmet to protect her head in case she fell or something bumped into her. The next step: Placing a titanium plate across the gap in her forehead.  

Reconstructive Surgery and Therapy

Seven weeks after the accident, Ann Marie went back into surgery for a cranioplasty, to replace the missing part of her skull. Cook Children’s neurosurgeon Richard Roberts, M.D. followed the incision made when the bone was taken out. Peeling back the skin was a slow process because her scalp was so thin.

Dr. Roberts installed a plate custom-made for Ann Marie and built from titanium, which resists infection. The plate contains hundreds of tiny holes.

“What winds up happening is tissue from underneath and tissue from the scalp can grow together through the holes and help anchor the plate,” he said.  

He described Ann Marie’s recovery as amazing given the extent of her injury.

“If you look at the original CT scan you would think it would be difficult to survive,” Dr. Roberts said. “The hard work and dedication of Ann Marie and her mom and the whole hospital laid the foundation for success.”

That hard work included speech, physical and occupational therapy during her stay at Cook Children’s. As a nurse practitioner, Davis coordinated various aspects of her care. Exercises were designed to feel like play. Those sessions aimed to repair Ann Marie’s attention span, impulse control and other thought processes. For patients with TBIs, intensive rehabilitation soon after injury can help the brain to rewire, Davis pointed out.  

Speech therapy six days a week helped Ann Marie to regain language, focus, and skills such as problem-solving. Speech pathologist Renee Lavelle, MS, CC, SLP in the Neuro Rehab Unit helped Ann Marie learn to eat, starting with liquids and moving to solid foods. “She was easy to work with. She would try anything,” Lavelle said.

Ann Marie remembers little about being hospitalized. But she does recall feeling feisty enough to warn the nurses that she knew karate.

When she was discharged three months after arriving at Cook Children’s, Ann Marie could walk with assistance, feed and dress herself, and respond to simple questions. She continued speech therapy on an outpatient basis and returned to Cook Children’s for annual checkups.

“Over the years every time I see her, she’s better and better,” Davis said. 

Adapting and Achievements

The mental fog continued to lift after Ann Marie left the hospital. But reading comprehension remained a particular struggle. She eventually enrolled in Novus Academy in Grapevine, which serves students with learning differences. She made good grades and thrived in the alternative setting, graduating in May 2023.

It takes a little longer for the pathways of Ann Marie’s brain to process information.

“When asked a question, I usually can’t just answer. I must think about it and see if my brain has stored it somewhere,” she said. “It isn’t always there.”

But she has found new tricks for learning, especially through touch and music. She took up the piano, guitar and trombone. She also loves caring for animals. Her mom describes Ann Marie as kindhearted and hardworking. And she’s resilient when challenges arise, like the news that she needed medication for epilepsy.  

As Ann Marie puts it … Being stubborn comes in handy. Don’t let hurdles stop you from pursuing your goals, she advises. She hopes to someday work at a zoo or wildlife refuge.

“Sometimes it takes a little more grit, but you can do it,” she said. “Don’t give up on your dreams just because something is hard. It is worth everything you must put into it.”

RELATED STORIES:

Cook Children's Neurosurgeon Talks Medical Phenomenon on National TV

Cook Children's Patient Becomes First in North Texas Implanted with Smart Device to Control Seizures

What’s the state of mental health for kids? What are psychiatrists seeing in their patients? Have we turned the corner on the mental health crisis post-COVID-19 pandemic? On this episode of Raising Joy, Wini King interviews co-host Kristen Pyrc, M.D., co-medical director of psychiatry at Cook Children’s. Dr. Pyrc shares what she’s seeing in her office and how things have changed in recent years.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Navigating next steps as a family after inpatient psychiatric care can be tricky. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Helen Ramsbottom, RN, and Melody Hackfeld, RN, both case managers with Cook Children's psychiatric department, about how to manage a child's mental health care after they are released from an inpatient psychiatric unit. They also discuss resources and support groups for parents, such as Links of Hope.

In addition, we learn about the ASQ tool, which is used by nurses in the emergency department at Cook Children's to identify suicidal patients. The tool is comprised of questions that are asked to every patient, regardless of their reason for visiting the emergency department. Since 2017, 640 suicidal children have been identified and received the support they needed. You can learn more about the ASQ tool in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing and on Checkup Newsroom.

Listen to this episode of Raising Joy to learn more about:

• What to expect when your child is discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit
• How to create a transition plan to help your child adjust to being home
• How to support your child's long-term mental health

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Jessica Gomez, Psy.D., is the executive director of Momentous Institute, a nonprofit that offers mental health services and operates an elementary school. As a first-generation Mexican American, she knows firsthand the challenges of growing up in a culture that doesn't prioritize mental health.

In this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Gomez shares her personal story and discusses how her experiences have shaped her work. She also talks about the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care and how we can break down the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Getting back into a routine after a long summer break can be tough for kids of all ages. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Cook Children's psychologist, Whitney Appleby, Ph.D., about all things school. Dr. Appleby shares her expert advice on how to help kids get a good night's sleep, create a healthy routine, manage anxiety, and avoid burnout. As a mom of three, she knows the struggle is real, but she also knows that with a little planning and effort, we can set our kids up for a successful school year.

If you're looking for some helpful advice on how to get your kids back into a school routine, be sure to listen to this episode of Raising Joy!

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy. For information about resources, view the crisis resource sheets below (available in English and Spanish). A PDF version is also linked under “Downloads.” 

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Your child is a real go-getter; maybe they’re a straight-A student or a star athlete. Lately, though, they have trouble breathing during very inopportune times, like before a test or a big track meet. You have seen their primary care doctor and you have seen a pulmonologist. Maybe they are put on an inhaler, but it doesn’t seem to be working like you hoped. So what’s going on?

Have you heard of vocal cord dysfunction? Well, there is a new name for it: exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) and inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO). That’s a mouthful.

Whenever there’s a “trigger” (i.e. exercise, stress, certain odors), the vocal cords narrow and it feels like you can’t get a good breath in no matter what you try to do. It isn’t life-threatening because your vocal cords are actually still open, but they aren’t open enough to fill your lungs. It’s scary. Your child is panicking and now you are, too.

What are the symptoms of EILO/ILO?

• Chest/throat tightness
• Difficulty inhaling
• Noisy breathing
• Shortness of breath

That sounds an awful lot like asthma, doesn’t it? You’re right; EILO/ILO and asthma sound very similar, but there are a few differences. Let’s compare the two:

You have ruled out asthma with your physicians and ruled in EILO/ILO. 

What do we know about EILO/ILO?

Onset can occur at any age, but most commonly, EILO and ILO are diagnosed in 12 to 18-year-olds.

It is most prevalent in our young athlete population and it can lead to anxiety about playing sports because of the fear of not being able to breathe. The same thing can happen around stressful situations like an upcoming AP history test or a choir performance.

Speech Therapy

What can be done to help these kids get back into their sports, extracurriculars, and high-demand classes? Speech therapy and/or physical therapy is the answer! And it’s all about breath.

With speech therapy, we look at how the child is breathing and teach them a variety of strategies to make their breathing more efficient.

We work on rescue breathing techniques that will blow the airway open during an active EILO/ILO episode as well as preventative breathing strategies that will keep the airway open during exercise or stressful activities. We also focus on diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing, so the child can optimize the amount of air they are getting into their lungs at rest and during physical activity.

With physical therapy, we can look at the athlete’s movement patterns, posture, endurance, and strength that may be impacting their breathing. Oftentimes, stiffness or weakness through the trunk and core changes a person’s breathing pattern, causing them to have difficulty controlling their breath (especially during high-intensity activities).

This can lead to increased fatigue, tension around the neck and/or shoulders, and EILO symptoms. Another area of focus is cardiovascular endurance training to avoid the feeling of “hitting a wall” during exercise.

Through guided exercises, improvements can be achieved by reducing compensations or our body’s way of cheating through movements, training the proper muscle groups, and supporting proper muscle use and form during athletic movements.

What is the common goal? To give the child the skills they need to get back to the activities they love. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out to their primary physician to discuss a potential referral to an ENT (otolaryngologist) or pulmonologist for further diagnostic testing.

Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including mental health education, collaboration, encouragement, and information. 

On this episode of Raising Joy, we meet Sonya Parker Goode, CLC, CAMS-I, director of outreach and education with Grant Halliburton Foundation. She tells us how the organization has trained more than 300,000 students, teachers, parents, and professionals on how to recognize and respond to someone in major distress or suicidal crisis. Learn more about Grant Halliburton Foundation here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  If you believe that your child is having a mental or physical health emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential resource available 24/7. If you have questions about your child’s mental health, contact your child’s pediatrician. 

Antonio Igbokidi, a third-year medical student at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, joins the Raising Joy podcast to discuss his Barbershop Talk Therapy mental health initiative. Igbokidi started Barbershop Talk Therapy in 2021 as a way to create a safe space for men of color to talk about mental health. He never dreamed his program would take off – with more than 100 people now attending sessions across Fort Worth. On this episode of Raising Joy, we learn how Igbokidi’s idea came to fruition and what he plans next.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

At Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, it’s not uncommon for 30 children and teens to be evaluated for mental and behavioral health concerns in the emergency department in a single day. On this episode of Raising Joy, Family Intake Therapist Brittany Smith, MSW, LCSW, tells us about her role in the ER, and how she helps patients and families during these visits. 

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you would like to learn more about scheduling an appointment with Cook Children's Behavioral Health, please call our Intake Department at 682-885-3917. Cook Children's Behavioral Health also offers resources and educational articles available to assist families, which you can find here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When Melarie Odelusi’s daughter was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in 2020, she didn’t know what the future held in store for her family. One thing she did know – it was going to be critical for her to take care of herself. While doctors focused on her child, Melarie and her husband made every effort to ensure they were mentally strong through the storm. Today, Melarie is a member of Cook Children’s Family Advisory Council and uses her experience and perspective to help improve the hospital for all patients and families.

On this episode of Raising Joy, Melarie teaches us all she has learned on her journey of self-care, from meditation to breathing techniques, the importance of sunlight – and even some surprising things you may have not heard of. She’s also an artist and uses her creativity as an outlet for stress and anxiety. Learn more about her art (which has been shared by Macy’s, Philosophy and Michelle Obama) here.

For more information about self-care for parents, Cook Children’s has a guide of resources listed here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Long before he became a health care executive, Rick W. Merrill was a West Texas boy with a guitar and a love for music. Today, he’s the president and CEO of one of the largest pediatric health care systems in the U.S., but music still holds a special place in his heart.

On this extraordinary episode of Raising Joy, Mr. Merrill opens up about his love for songwriting, parenting children through challenges, and leading an organization with empathy and compassion. He also shares a song he wrote, which was inspired by Cook Children’s Joy Campaign titled, “Hope is Just a Breath Away.”

This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we meet M. Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health at Cook Children’s Health Care System. At the Institute for Mind Health, Dr. Perry is bringing together nine specialties that commonly overlap in the treatment of nervous system disorders. He talks to us about how this unique approach will make care easier for patients and their families.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Lynda Clayton is a North Texas high school student who recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health.

On this episode of Raising Joy, Clayton tells us about “Not One More: A Mission to Eliminate Youth Suicide. To learn more about this program, and how to implement it in your school, please visit the Not One More website. 

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Kindness and empathy are important, in fact they are critical. Both are foundational cornerstones for emotional and moral intelligence, and it is the core to a civilized world. Studies have also shown if one experiences empathy, it can stop cruel and/or violent behavior.

On this episode of Raising Joy, neuropsychologist Lisa Elliott, Ph.D., explains how kindness and kind words can change the life of a child. She says the importance of kind words cannot be underestimated towards children, especially in today’s climate.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Raising a child who struggles with their mental health can be scary, challenging and confusing. The ACEs Task Force of Tarrant County developed a video series called The Roadmap for Children’s Mental Health to help families navigate this health issue.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we are joined by Dr. Brian Dixon from Mindful – a psychiatric practice based in Fort Worth and Frances Wampler from the Center for Children’s Health led by Cook Children’s. Dr. Dixon and Wampler share the mission behind these videos, and how Wampler’s own experience with her child informed the project.

If your child is struggling with their emotions and you don’t know where to turn, this episode is a great start.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When your child is struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Nationwide, waitlists for appointments with child psychologists and psychiatrists can be months long. As a result, pediatricians have become the first line of defense for families who need support.

Alice Phillips, M.D., wears many hats at Cook Children’s. She’s the Board Chair of Cook Children’s Physician Network and Medical Director of Ambulatory Quality. Dr. Phillips is also a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Cityview, and has seen mental health concerns in her practice increase dramatically over the past 26 years. On this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Phillips talks to us about the role of pediatricians in the mental health crisis and the growing number of tools in their toolbox to help children.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

By Lauren Bridge, MS, CCLS, AYA Child Life Specialist at Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center

Most often, the title “child life specialist” resonates with toddler, preschool and school-aged children. However, our scope of practice spans through young adulthood. I am Lauren, our Oncology Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) child life specialist. The AYA population includes those diagnosed with cancer ranging from ages 15 to 39.

How is this role similar to other child life specialists?

As a child life specialist, I still provide diagnosis education, procedure preparation, procedural support and general emotional support for coping. All of that education and support is customized to meet the developmental needs of a teenager or young adult.

The medical environment can still be very confusing for our older population and the educational background of a child life specialist allows for breaking down information in easier-to-understand terms.

Let’s not forget play. Play is an integral part of a child life specialist’s role and imperative to coping well in the hospital environment.

What are the unique needs of AYAs?

First, let’s look at the developmental needs of adolescents without a chronic illness. During this stage of development, teens are seeking autonomy, making self-discoveries, learning about their changing bodies and acquiring their own set of values and morals all while their social life becomes a priority.

Throw in a cancer diagnosis and suddenly these developmental needs become increasingly difficult. Autonomy is difficult as caregivers and medical staff are constantly near with instruction, invading personal space. Cancer adds to the confusion of self-discovery. How much of their identity lies in diagnosis or not?

Changes in their body increase as hair is lost, weight fluctuates, menstrual cycles are paused and illness affects their physical well-being. Social life is put on the backburner as immune systems become low, energy decreases and feelings of self-consciousness set in. The sense of invincibility is shattered and many adolescents and young adults question their values and faith during this time.

Looking beyond the age of 18, as AYAs enter young adulthood, developmental needs continue and grow. Young adults continue to seek autonomy and self-discovery, are entering more schooling or the workforce, have increasingly more financial independence and responsibility, are exploring their sexuality, are forming intimate relationships and in some cases are starting families.

Cancer turns these developmental needs upside down. Autonomy is stunted by hospitalizations and the need for help. School or work are disrupted or put on hold. Body consciousness and side effects of chemotherapy become more prominent making exploring sexuality a struggle. As the immune system weakens, emotions run high and the body’s physical exhaustion, many find themselves isolated. Collectively making forming deep relationships challenging.

How can Child Life help?

As an AYA child life specialist, my goal is to help adolescents and young adults cope with new challenges, express emotions, meet developmental milestones and maintain a sense of normalcy.

Recognizing the importance of autonomy, I offer patients as many choices as possible. I, along with our AYA multidisciplinary team, want to give the AYA population a say in what is done to their body. Allowing our patients to share what comforts them, people they want present when ill, how much medical intervention they wish to have and end-of-life wishes give them control in a powerless circumstance.

Most often I can be found holding space in a patient’s room offering a safe place for expression, providing port education prior to the procedure, creating a coping plan with a patient, debating who will win a game of pool, exchanging jokes, giving choices for space and autonomy, validating emotions, creating art and having some deep conversations.

Building trust with the adolescent and young adult population is not always simple. For this reason, I follow the AYA patients inpatient, outpatient and in the ICU. I have to earn my space in their room. I strive to show up consistently and genuinely. It is with a true sense of honor that these amazing young people allow me to be a part of their care. I am forever grateful for this unique population and their trust in me to serve as their child life specialist.

Do you ever wonder if your teenager’s behavior is normal? On this episode of Raising Joy, Sam McCage, Ph.D., a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s, answers all of our questions about teens. From moodiness to social media, vaping and therapy – we’re doing a deep dive into teen behavior and what parents can do to make these difficult years a little easier.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we meet Dr. Jillian Peterson, founder of The Violence Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that created the largest and most comprehensive database on the life histories of mass shooters. She is a forensic psychologist, professor of criminology and author of “The Violence Project – How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic.”

Her work has helped school leaders, police departments and universities across the nation adopt realistic tools for violence prevention. Listen in to hear what Dr. Peterson learned about mass shooters in her research and what parents and caregivers can do to help prevent the next school shooting.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

**Content warning – this episode contains difficult subject matter. We advise you to listen with caution, knowing topics of child suicide, trauma, grief and mass shootings are discussed.

Suzy DeYoung didn’t plan on devoting her life to the subject of trauma, however, an accident involving her child led her down a path of exploring some of the most difficult subjects imaginable. For over a decade, she has studied and educated others as a trauma-informed parent. She was also one of the founding members of Sandy Hook Promise, which began after the horrific school shooting in her hometown of Newtown, CT. Most recently, she has conducted research on behalf of author Andrew Solomon, Ph.D., where she has interviewed dozens of families and experts impacted by child suicide. This discussion is enlightening, challenging and important, though it may be triggering for some.

We also want to hear from you. Please take our brief survey to let us know how we’re doing and what topic you want to hear discussed on Raising Joy.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

More than 113,000 children in Tarrant County live in poverty. Carol Klocek and the team at the Center for Transforming Lives work alongside women and their children to disrupt the cycle of poverty in a way that is compassionate and trauma-informed. On this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Klocek about her role as CEO of the 115-year-old nonprofit, and how mental health, domestic violence and substance abuse impact the women and families they serve. 

We also want to hear from you! Please take our brief survey to let us know how we’re doing and what topic you want to hear discussed on Raising Joy.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of pediatric patients being admitted to Cook Children’s Medical Center for mental health symptoms hit record levels. This resulted in a need for innovative ways to care for patients in a safe and compassionate manner. 

On this episode of Raising Joy, Jennifer Horn, RN, and Alex Fejer, RN, from Cook Children’s introduce us to two solutions they helped create, including a new screening tool focused on keeping young patients at ease. They also tell us about the new behavioral emergency response team that was formed to help keep patients and medical staff safe during mental health crises.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

It’s a topic we don’t want to think about, but unfortunately, it impacts every city across the U.S. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. In North Texas, the nonprofit Unbound Now is working diligently to support survivors and fight this hideous crime in our community.

On this episode of Raising Joy, executive director Sandy Hennip, MSW, joins us to talk about Unbound Now and what parents need to know about human trafficking.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

The mental health crisis affecting children and teens is no secret. Families across the U.S. have struggled to cope through the pandemic and afterward. In Fort Worth, Texas, a local school district and university are teaming up to provide access to mental health resources to kids and their families.

Ottis Goodwin is the director of Family and Community Resources at Fort Worth ISD. He joins us on this episode of Raising Joy to talk about his school district’s new program with Texas Christian University, as well as how kids are doing in the wake of COVID-19.  

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we’re joined by Callie Crow, founder of the nonprofit Drew's 27 Chains, in honor of her son who died of an opioid overdose in June 2020.  The organization provides free Narcan and training to law enforcement agencies and other first responders and is credited with saving more than 30 lives to date.

By Ashley Antle

There is a new clear and present danger for children and it’s coming to them through virtual street corners and hidden social media messages. It’s the highly potent synthetic opioid called fentanyl. Similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more powerful, fentanyl is sometimes prescribed to control severe or chronic pain. Like many opioids, it’s also made and used illegally with deadly consequences.

So far this year at Cook Children’s Medical Center, 15 children have been treated for fentanyl ingestion, some as a result of their own misuse of drugs and some as a result of exposure through someone else’s misuse. That’s up from zero in both 2019 and 2020, and 10 in all of 2021. 

This increase follows national trends. Fentanyl-related overdoses in the U.S. have exploded in recent years. For teens ages 14 to 18, death from fentanyl nearly doubled in 2020 and rose another 20% in 2021, according to researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. It’s one tragic story after another of a child lost to the drug. A Los Angeles, California, teen dead and six others were hospitalized in September. Three teens from the same school in San Marcos, Texas, dead in August. Thirty-six Georgia teens dead in 2021, and the list goes on and on from coast to coast.

“What we're seeing in the littles is that they sometimes have exposure to fentanyl just because of their environment,” said Elizabeth Peeler, D.O., M.S., M.S.C.S. “They're at the mercy of their caregiver and it's kind of like a wrong place, wrong time situation. They're toddlers or babies, and so they toddle into drugs that are kept in the home. And that can be really scary because they're so small and fentanyl is so potent. It's so strong that just a little bit is enough to make a young child very sick.”

Dr. Peeler is a member of Cook Children’s Child Advocacy Resources and Evaluation (C.A.R.E.) Team. She and her fellow C.A.R.E. Team physicians specialize in examining and treating children who have suffered abuse, including from neglect and drug exposure. This year the team added fentanyl to their regular drug-testing panel due to a sharp increase in the number of fentanyl exposure cases they now encounter.

Drugs in Disguise

The clandestine nature of many fentanyl overdoses is what makes this battle a particularly difficult one.

When it comes to teens — and adults for that matter — it’s not that they are specifically buying fentanyl for a high, it’s that fentanyl is laced into other illicit or counterfeit drugs like Xanax, Percocet and Adderall, to name a few. These drugs don’t come with warning labels from their illegal dealers, so buyers have no idea their purchase may contain hidden fentanyl until it’s too late.

In the most recent fentanyl overdose cases at Cook Children’s, at least two were a result of marijuana laced with fentanyl and two from counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl. The same is true in cases all across the country. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained a potentially lethal dose of the drug. 

“There’s lots of different reasons why teenagers or adolescents may take a substance, whether it’s to have a good time because of peer pressure, whether it’s because they do suffer from depression or anxiety, whether it’s because they’re curious or because it was in the house and it was an accident,” said Artee Gandhi, M.D., Cook Children’s medical director for pain management and endowed chair for the Center for Pain Management and Integrative Health.

For dealers, adding a synthetic and highly addictive opioid that is cheap, easy to make, and keeps users coming back for more is easy money. However, get the dosage even slightly wrong and it’s deadly. Just two milligrams of fentanyl — the weight of a mosquito — can kill.

“Fentanyl is about 50 times stronger than heroin,” Dr. Peeler said. “Even a small amount can block the brain’s ability to remember to breathe. I want to remind all parents and children that substance misuse can have life-threatening consequences.”

A Mother’s Heartbreak

Callie Crow knows the devastation of fentanyl all too well. For years she watched her son, Drew, spiral into drug addiction, despite raising him in a home where alcohol and drugs were never a factor.

“He breaks that mold of what we sometimes think of as a stereotypical person that's addicted to drugs,” Crow said. “That's one of my biggest pushes is, you know, it's not even what I thought, because I've never done a drug in my life. I don't drink. I don't smoke. That's not something that my kids were exposed to in any way. And so in my mind, they were exempt and it wasn't going to happen to us.” 

Crow describes her son as having an old soul. He was articulate, even as a very young child, smart, funny and loved to learn. Drew was first offered cocaine by a trusted family friend at the age of 14. That eventually led to other drugs and pills and, by 17, he was addicted to opioids.

“We did detox. We did rehab. We did therapy. We did all of the things that, you know, are supposed to help,” Crow said. “And it just never, ever happened. I don't think he ever turned a corner from the time he was 17 on. It was really difficult watching that struggle.”

But there were moments of light. Drew got married and, at the time of his death at age 27, was studying political journalism at the University of North Texas. By then, his opioid use had morphed into a way to survive withdrawal, not necessarily to get high, Crow said, describing her son as a “functional addict.”

That’s what happened the night he died in June 2020. Crow says Drew purchased pills from someone in the town where he lived and took them to avoid withdrawal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, sweating and pain. The pill he took was unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Ten minutes after ingesting it, he was in cardiac arrest and died.

Four doses of Naloxone, also known as Narcan — the FDA-approved drug used to reverse the effects of fentanyl overdose — were within feet of Drew at the time of his overdose. Two on his bedside table that Drew’s wife did not know about and two on the police officer who initially responded to the 911 call placed by his wife. For reasons unknown to Crow, the officer did not administer the Naloxone he carried. Any one of the four doses in Drew’s presence at the time could have reversed the effects of the fentanyl and saved his life.

Since her son’s death, Crow, an EMT- paramedic, has made giving out Naloxone and teaching others how to administer it her life’s mission. She calls the organization she founded in her son’s honor Drew’s 27 Chains. The name is a reference to Drew’s love for disk golf. So far, 36 people have escaped a fentanyl-related overdose death as a result of Narcan handed out at a Drew’s 27 Chains event, and that’s just the ones Crow can track.

Like Crow, Dr. Gandhi is a proponent of keeping Narcan in your home and on your person.

“I think it is important for parents to know that there is a medication that's a nose spray that's available at any pharmacy and it does not require a prescription,” Dr. Gandhi said. “They can walk up to the counter and say, ‘Can I please have a dose of Naloxone?’”

Parental Interference Strongly Advised

“For the first time we are seeing an increase in overdose deaths in adolescents, and it’s predominantly due to the effect of fentanyl, which was not an intentional effect that the adolescent was going for,” Dr. Gandhi warned. “The number of overdose deaths itself has risen every year, but this is the first time that the adolescent population has actually had an increase.”

There are things parents can do to help protect their kids and teens. Running interference for your child against these dangers starts with a conversation. Not just one, but many.

“First and foremost, these conversations have got to happen all the time,” said Lisa Elliott, Ph.D., licensed psychologist and manager of Cook Children’s Behavioral Health Clinic in Denton. “There needs to be dinner conversations. There needs to be conversations in the car. They need to be constantly talking about it and making their kids very well aware of the reality and risks of drugs.”

Dr. Elliott says one way to talk to teens about these dangers is to frame the conversation as information they may need to help a friend. This takes the attention off your kid, she says, and they’re more likely to listen. These conversations should start early, as young children are at risk of fentanyl poisoning, too. Many dealers are disguising pills as candy, and there is always a risk of children ingesting a pill they’ve found on the ground.

Staying as involved as possible in your child’s life is the key to knowing if they are abusing drugs or participating in behaviors that could lead to addiction or overdose. This includes keeping a close eye on their online habits, social media accounts and text threads. A generation ago, keeping kids safe from drugs meant knowing their friends and steering them away from certain hangouts and street corners. Today, social media sites have brought an entire world of virtual street corners and strangers right into your child’s bedroom.

“Being vigilant about your kid’s social media use I think is important,” Dr. Gandhi said. “Your kids can have freedom on those devices but they still need monitoring.”

And for good reason. The prefrontal cortex of kids and adolescents is not fully developed until they are in their 20s. That’s the part of the brain that controls impulse, and that’s why young people have poor reasoning skills when it comes to risky behaviors.

“Kids and adolescents are basically a high-speed car going down a highway at a hundred miles an hour without any brakes,” Dr. Gandhi said. “They have no breaks. They have no self-regulation. They don't know the difference between what's real, what's not real, and what’s just something that you would think is a fluke. They don't understand the long-term implications or consequences of their actions. So don't fool yourself into thinking that your 15-year-old does. They don't. You've got to be involved in screening and monitoring and knowing what your children are having access to.”

Know their friends, Dr. Gandhi says, and communicate with their friends’ parents. She also encourages parents to find activities that kids enjoy but also make them feel like they’re a part of a community.

If you suspect your child is using opioids or other substances, reach out to their school counselor, drug counselor, a mental health professional or their pediatrician for help. If you suspect your child has overdosed on fentanyl or any other drug, call 911.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

The holidays are upon us and that usually means gathering with loved ones around tables of food. For people with eating disorders, this can be a very triggering time of year.

Tyler Wooten, M.D., is a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with the Eating Recovery Center, Dallas. He joins us on this episode of Raising Joy to share his expertise about eating disorders and how we can help support those in our lives who may be struggling. Dr. Wooton also shares the warning signs parents should look for to tell if their child may be struggling with food.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Since 2017, Cook Children’s Emergency Department has treated more than 300 children and teens for gunshot wounds. One of those children, a 4-year-old boy, changed the life of Daniel Guzman, M.D., forever. While Dr. Guzman couldn’t save this child from his fatal injuries, he vowed to do everything in his power to save other children from the same fate.

Later that year, he launched the Aim for Safety program at Cook Children’s, which focuses on preventing gun injuries in children and teens. On this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Guzman (who is a gun owner himself) explains how parents can protect their children, regardless of whether or not they have a gun in their home.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

Join us for the first LIVE recording of the Raising Joy podcast on Thursday, September 29 at the historic Downtown Cowtown at the Isis Theater in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

This event, which is being hosted in partnership with The Center for Children’s Health led by Cook Children's, will bring mental health leaders in the community together to hear an inspiring talk by author and renowned speaker Andrew Solomon, Ph.D. Solomon is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, National Book Award winner, TedTalk presenter, as well as a professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University.

Registration is required to attend. Click here to register! 

Ten years ago this week, Connor Gage blew his mother a kiss as he left for a friend’s birthday party at a rented lakehouse. Little did either of them know, it would be the last kiss he’d ever give her and the last time Dana Gage would see what she calls her son’s “1000-watt smile.”

Hours later, Connor drowned in a swimming incident that was 100% preventable. He was 15 years old.

“He was funny,” Gage said describing her son. “He was a Justin Bieber doppelganger. He was silly. He loved to run. He was smart. He loved his friends. He was his brother’s best friend. He was a great writer. That boy was creative. Even at a young age, his mind bent toward the art of great storytelling.”

Connor was no stranger to lake life, either. His family owned a lakehouse and spent many summer days on the water boating, swimming, tubing and wakeboarding. Even though both of their boys were great swimmers, Brett and Dana Gage were cautious. Wearing a life jacket was non-negotiable. “Toe in, vest on,” they would always say.

Dana Gage assumed every family did the same.

“The biggest mistake of my life was assuming everyone else had the same rule,” she said. “I never asked. That mistake changed my life forever.”

As the sun began to set over the lake on Aug. 31, 2012, the teen boys attending the party were given permission to jump into the water from a high boat dock. None of them were wearing life vests.

At 7:30 p.m., Gage received a text from Connor: “jumping in, brb.” About an hour later, Connor flipped from the dock, landed badly and never resurfaced. It took a dive team 45 minutes to locate and pull his body from the water.

After attempts to resuscitate him, Connor was pronounced dead just five hours after blowing his mother that final kiss in the driveway.

“Connor died at age 15, just as he was starting his freshman year of high school, and just as he was turning the corner from boyhood to manhood,” Gage said. “There’s truly no way to describe it. We’d worked so hard, my husband and I, so long, so intentionally to get to this point. We’d been married 20 years. Our two teenage boys were now a freshman and junior in high school. Best friends who just happened to be brothers running on the same varsity cross country team.

"The future was so bright, and it was a magical time. All the pieces of our family’s puzzle were fitting together perfectly, and we were just so expectant. So eager for this incredible chapter in our family’s life. The best was yet to come. Until, that day. That Friday when our perfect family puzzle got blown to pieces.”

LiVe and LoVe Buoyantly

In the 10 years since Connor’s death, Dana and her family have been working hard to heal their broken hearts and make their suffering matter. As much as the family wants to bring awareness to how Connor died, they also want to honor how he lived. They say Connor lived and loved buoyantly—always full of joy and life—and want to give others a chance to do the same. Just two months after Connor’s death, the Gage family started The LV Project to help others “LiVe and LoVe buoyantly on the water and in life.”

“Something amazing happens when life deals you an unimaginable blow,” Gage said. “Suddenly, everything becomes incredibly clear. The things that matter, matter more. And the things that don’t, don’t. 

"I’ve talked about this a lot with other grieving moms, and we all agree that this remarkable clarity is a rare silver lining among the dark clouds of despair. Soul-crushing heartbreak can be a way-paver to crystal vision. At least it was for me. The color in my world was gone, but the resulting black and white view was profoundly crisp. No ambiguity. No fog. No nonsense.

"As I began to acclimate to this new life lens, one fact became indisputably clear: Connor should not have died on August 31, 2012. It was so preventable. So unnecessary. So wrong. This wasn’t an accident. This was 100% preventable. I decided to do something about it. I immediately quit my job in corporate America, and I started The LV Project.”

During the summer months, The LV Project raises awareness about drowning prevention and advocates for the use of life vests on lakes. Had Connor been wearing a life vest, even with an injury, he would have resurfaced and could have been rescued quickly for a chance at survival.  

Once the lake and swimming season is over, The LV Project turns its attention to helping people who need a lift in their everyday lives through what Gage calls life buoyancy projects. The LV Project has funded the construction of a soccer field in Ghana for West African children rescued from trafficking, for example. Closer to home, The LV Project has completed projects with several Dallas/Fort Worth-area organizations to help support their missions, including Achieve DFW, The Gatehouse, Project ELF Dallas and many more.

Gage is also a friend and supporter of the Lifeguard Your Child program through the Center For Children’s Health, led by Cook Children’s. She has shared Connor’s story at several Lifeguard Your Child events, helping the program bring awareness to the dangers teens face in open water and the easy steps parents can take to protect and save their lives.

The X Effect

When Gage started The LV Project, she first went to work pouring over drowning data. She knew Connor was one of many who had lost their life to a preventable drowning death, and she wanted the numbers to help her make a case beyond her own experience for the importance of life vests. The LV Project needed a clear target for their mission. What they got is what Gage calls The X Effect.

“You know that saying, ‘you can’t hit a target you can’t see?’” she asked. “I wanted to know the target. I wanted the numbers. I wanted to know how many deaths like Connor’s were happening every year across the country. I quickly discovered that drowning data in the U.S. is scattered and siloed. Worse yet, the data that does get shared doesn’t tell the full story. It’s like a book that’s unfinished. The chapter about teenage drownings often gets left out.”

Gage began searching every data source she could find, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to USA Swimming and more. She plotted all of the data she gathered in an Excel spreadsheet by age and drowning location of pool versus open water. The work took months. When it was done, she said, a simple pattern emerged from the graph: an X.

That pattern illustrates how younger children are more likely to drown in a swimming pool, most during an unplanned swim time. As kids age, the likelihood they’ll drown in a pool decreases while the risk of drowning in a natural body of water increases. By age 15, a teen’s chance of drowning in open water triples.

“The short story is drowning is a risk for the littles, and most of those are happening in pools,” Gage said. “But it’s also a risk for the bigs, and most of those are happening in open water. Nobody is drownproof, regardless of swim ability. We have to protect our kids at all ages, in all water. Always.”

Teens are naturally impulsive, fearless and often unaware of risk, especially boys, which puts them at higher risk, according to the CDC. Running through the water-safety checklist and identifying hazards such as water depth or debris beneath the murkiness is not always the first thing that pops into a teen’s mind before jumping in. 

The ability to swim gives many a false sense of security, too. Adults often assume teens are strong swimmers and that will protect them from drowning. But swimming in a lake or ocean with currents, unclear water, and unseen hazards below the surface is altogether different from swimming in a pool.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 79% of boating-related deaths in 2019 were drowning related. Of those who died from drowning, 86% were not wearing life jackets. When it comes to open water, teens are at great risk. Adults in charge in open water environments have a responsibility to protect teenagers, just as they would protect a small child. That’s why Dana channels her grief into advocating for the use of life vests on lakes. So not one more parent has to experience the tragedy of losing a child to drowning.

Lifeguard Your Child

Drownings are the No. 1 cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4 and second leading cause of unintentional injury death, after car accidents, for kids ages 1 to 14, according to the CDC. From May to August 2022, 47 children were treated for drowning incidents in Cook Children’s emergency department.

“Some of the most tragic things we see as emergency room physicians are injuries and deaths that could have been prevented, and that’s the case with most drownings,” said Corwin Warminck, M.D., emergency department medical director at Cook Children’s Medical Center. “Parents can help prevent drownings by having layers of protection. In open water that means wearing life vests at all times regardless of their swim ability and lifeguarding your child no matter their age.”

Lifeguard Your Child offers parents these tips for keeping their kids safe in open water:

• Life vests should be “US Coast Guard Approved (USGA).” Check the inside label for this stamp of approval. They should also be worn inside the boat or in the water, as most drowning fatalities in natural water are non-boating related.
• Know before you go. The water conditions of lakes, rivers and oceans can change daily, from clear to murky and calm to rough. Be aware of the conditions before you get in and know that there may be harmful debris under the surface that you can’t see.
• Children, whether toddlers or teens, should be watched by an adult when in or near the water. Teens are often fearless and unaware of danger. They need responsible adults to help them avoid risky behavior.
• Have a safety plan in case of an emergency. Learn CPR so that you can administer rescue procedures while EMS is in route.

For more information about keeping children and teens safe in and around water, check out www.lifeguardyourchild.org, a program of The Center for Children’s Health, led by Cook Children’s.