The Fidelis Care Blog 

As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside families during some of their most vulnerable moments. We tend to view childhood as a carefree time that evolves into stress and anxiety once the pressures of adulthood set in. However, that is not the case. One thing remains clear: mental health is just as important as physical health — and this is especially true for children. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to reflect on how we can better support young people and break down the barriers that prevent them from thriving.

With baby boomers turning 60 and older, more family members are helping to care for aging parents or loved ones. It’s a big job, but there are ways to make it easier and keep your parents living independently for as long as possible. Caring for aging parents can mean helping with things at home or in the community—like cooking, cleaning, or just being there for them. It’s not always easy, though.

Do you feel tired a lot? Sleep, stress, and hormones all work together to keep us healthy and happy. When they get out of balance, it can cause problems for our body and mind. If we learn how they connect, we can find ways to feel better.

Asthma and allergies can worsen with the warmer weather. Weeds, trees, grass, and other plants begin to bloom. They spread pollen and other allergens. Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. They are caused by the immune system’s reaction to allergens. Allergy symptoms happen when a person with an allergy comes into contact with the allergen. This can happen by touching, eating, or breathing in an allergen.

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day to understand and protect our communities from the deadly threat of illegal fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than morphine and heroin. It is used to medically manage severe pain, often after surgery or for some cancer patients. Illegal fentanyl causes overdose deaths. It is often mixed with other drugs, making them more potent and dangerous. It’s important to know how to prevent an overdose, recognize signs of an overdose, and what life-saving measures are available.