Morrison Child and Family Services

PTSD in children and teens doesn’t always look the way we expect. Changes in behavior, struggles at school, increased irritability, withdrawal from friends, or physical complaints like headaches and stomachaches may be signs that a young person is coping with the effects of trauma.

During PTSD Awareness Month, we’re reminding families that healing is possible and support is available. If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional or behavioral health, Morrison’s outpatient mental health team is here to help.

📞 Learn more about our services and book an intake appointment at morrisonkids.org or contact our Central Intake team at (503) 258-4381.

Morrison offers outpatient mental health therapy and substance use treatment for kids and teens at our Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, and Milwaukie clinics. Take the first step toward healing by scheduling an intake appointment at morrisonkids.org.

A few Mental Health Mondays reminders 🌼

While summer brings freedom and fun, it can also be a time where routines are disrupted. Without school, kids and teens can lack structure during the day. Pair that with changes like later bedtimes and increased screen time, and children’s mental health can take a hit. Recent studies have linked excessive screen time and irregular sleep schedules to higher anxiety and poorer overall wellbeing in adolescents. 
 
Parents and caregivers can support their kids this summer by keeping bedtime and wake-up times as consistent as possible, encouraging outdoor activity and movement, and creating calm evening routines. Utilizing summer holiday programs through schools, community centers, and day programs can also be immensely beneficial to maintaining structure and creating opportunities to socialize. Healthy routines help children thrive. 
 
If your child needs additional mental health support this summer, our Outpatient Clinics offer therapy for youth ages 0-18. You can book an intake appointment at morrisonkids.org or through the link in our bio.

SAGE prom—Masquerade Ball edition 🪩🌟💃
 
With the help of staff and PPS teachers, the SAGE youth transformed the space with sparkling lights, candles, gold and black décor, masquerade masks, and a roaring 20s-inspired photo booth. The evening included a four-course dinner from Pastini, made possible through the generosity of our SAGE Circle donors (which the kids thought was just about the fanciest thing they’d ever seen). Everyone danced for hours, took photos, laughed with friends, and soaked up every moment. 
 
“While just the fun of having a prom is reason enough to invest the time, money, and effort that SAGE does, there are also really important reasons that we prioritize these kinds of events,” said Kelli Doolittle, SAGE Program Director. “Events like these allow SAGE youth to address the social-emotional impacts of trauma and process complex emotions through play, creativity, and positive social connection. Having relatable experiences can also help youth with reintegration by creating a sense of normalcy and belonging.”
 
We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to these events for our youth!

While previous studies have linked video games to certain mental health problems, a recent study adds more complexity to the topic, showing that video games can also promote cognitive performance in children. The study found that the group who played video games had higher brain activity in regions of the brain associated with attention and memory than did those who never played. They also did not find statistically significant evidence that the video games resulted in ‘problem behaviors.’

Games can be a safe place for children to ‘fail’ and try again, helping them to build resilience and to serve as a sandbox for critical thinking. So while we’re not recommending giving your children unlimited screen time, some video games in moderation can be a good place for children to test themselves.

Our CEO Nick Gallo had the opportunity this past week to join Governor Tina Kotek , First Lady Aimee Kotek, Senator Reynolds, Rep Pham, and many others at The Ballmer Institute to witness the signing of critical mental health legislation. A win for behavioral health, these bills demonstrate a shared vision to create stronger systems of care to create better outcomes for kids and families across Oregon and beyond. That’s our goal every day at Morrison.