Wellbeing/Mental HealthSkill BuildingResilience/CompassionRelationships/Communication

Christine Crawford MD

You Are Not Alone: Navigating Your Child’s Mental Health with Wisdom from Experts and Real Families

Noon CST 7pm CST

12:00 pm CST 7:00 pm CST

When

Tue, Feb 10, 2026 @ Noon and 7pm CST

Where

Virtual Event

Program Takeaways:

Youth mental health starts early: Symptoms often begin well before adulthood, and many teens report persistent sadness/hopelessness—so early noticing matters.

Focus on “functioning,” not labels: Watch for changes in sleep, appetite, energy, relationships, self-care, and school engagement—patterns over time are key.

Kids may show distress through behavior and bodies: Emotional reactivity, shutdown/freeze, stomach aches/headaches, nurse visits, and academic decline can all be signs of anxiety/depression.

Today’s stressors are different: Information overload, breaking-news exposure, curated social media comparison, and even “vicarious trauma” can intensify distress. Parenting tools must evolve.

Co-regulation is powerful at every age: Teens still need calm, attuned adults. Use predictable routines, name emotions (without diagnosing), model regulation, and talk after a meltdown—not during it.

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Watch party details: Please register at: https://buff.ly/FdCND3M

Popcorn & beverages provided Free and open to all

NAMI DuPage Office 7:00 PM | Tuesday, February 10

**First 50 guests to register AND attend, receive a FREE copy of the book!

Preteens and teenagers face a multitude of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders – all of which can significantly impact their well-being and future opportunities. Participants will discover the early warning signs of mental health conditions and learn about the reasonable expectations for recovery.

It’s crucial to understand that mental health problems are real and that seeking help is essential if warning signs are observed. Crawford will come to GPS to provide a compassionate and practical resource for anyone concerned about their child’s mental health.

In her presentation Crawford will draw on her own clinical experiences, the wisdom of her clients, and the research of leading experts to help families overcome the isolation often felt when working to mitigate mental health challenges. Crawford will offer hope, a toolbox for better ways to live well, and a roadmap to understanding that you are not alone.

Crawford is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist at the Boston Medical Center Child & Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. She is the Director of Medical Student Education and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. She has been engaged in a number of community outreach initiatives through the NAACP and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she serves as the Associate Medical Director.

Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. All are welcome to our free weekly GPS events, and no registration is required.