Gen Z now reports higher rates of loneliness than any other generation, and parents are more worried than ever about social media. So what actually protects young people: screen time limits, phone-free schools, or something else?

In this episode, child and adolescent psychiatrists Gene Beresin, MD, MA, and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH, make the case for an answer we’ve known about for decades: a secure, trusting bond between a child and the adults who raise them.

Gene and Khadijah explain what secure attachment is, how it develops, and why it’s never too late to build. They walk through the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on loneliness and describe how loneliness shows up differently in young children and teens, from clinginess and stomachaches to withdrawal and “nobody likes me.” They explore how secure attachment helps protect kids against both loneliness and social media misuse, and why social media isn’t all bad. They also name the online stressors parents should know about, including FOMO, ghosting, catfishing, and constant comparison.

The episode closes with everyday ways to strengthen connection at home: slowing down, naming feelings, repairing after mistakes, and asking kids to “walk me through your day.” Gene and Khadijah also share where they land on screen time limits and phones in schools, and they talk about the people who were secure bases for them growing up.

Media list

• Secure Attachment: Its Role in Preventing Loneliness and Misuse of Social Media, by Gene Beresin and Masha Mesyef (Clay Center blog)
• U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation (May 2023)
• Research on what secure attachment supports, from cognition to resilience
• Study on teens’ need for bonding, trust, and attachment
• Study linking insecure attachment to social media addiction
• Study on secure attachment, addiction, and mental health
• Teen Romance and Breakups in the Digital Age: Navigating the World of Ghosting, Blocking and Harassment(Clay Center blog)
• Teen Romance in the Digital Era. (Shrinking It Down podcast episode)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does back to school feel so different this year?

In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take on five worries shaping the 2026 school year: classmates missing amid immigration enforcement, the Meta–Instagram settlement and proposed limits on kids' social media use, economic stress and uncertainty about life after high school, measles outbreaks and vaccine misinformation, and climate anxiety. They share how parents can start honest, age-appropriate conversations — asking what kids are noticing, listening without judgment, and being genuine about what they can and can't promise — and why family stories can help build resilience.

Practical guidance for any parent, caregiver, or educator helping kids carry worries they can't always put into words.

Tune in now!

Media List

• How to Help Kids Cope With Situational Anxiety (MGH Clay Center)
• Common Sense Media
• Measles: Choosing Not to Vaccinate (MGH Clay Center)
• Measles Vaccination (CDC)
• Anxiety to Agency: Empowering Kids to Address Climate Change (MGH Clay Center)
• Storm Anxiety: 11 Tips to Help Your Child Cope (MGH Clay Center)
• Climate Anxiety and Kids, featuring Elizabeth Pinsky, MD (Shrinking It Down)
• What to Look for, When to Worry, What to Do (MGH Clay Center)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Masha Mesyef

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take a hard look at cyberbullying — how it differs from the schoolyard bullying of decades past, why it's harder to escape, and which kids face the highest risk. They walk through the Clay Center's three W's: what to look for, when to worry, and what to do, covering everything from documenting evidence the right way to rallying "upstanders" instead of bystanders. Practical, direct guidance for any parent, caregiver, or educator raising a kid in today's always-on digital world. Tune in now!

Media List

• Cyberbullying: A Serious, Often Dangerous Form of Harm and Ways to Support Your Teen (MGH Clay Center)
• Teens and Cyberbullying 2022 (Pew Research Center)
• StopBullying.gov
• Common Sense Media
• The Cyberbullying Research Center
• The Bullying Prevention Program (Mass.gov)
• Who Is at Risk for Bullying (StopBullying.gov)
• Cyberbullying: What to Know (MGH Clay Center PDF)
• Cyberbullying: What to Do (MGH Clay Center PDF)
• What to Look for, When to Worry, What to Do (MGH Clay Center)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Masha Mesyef

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Pride Month episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Alex Keuroghlian for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about supporting LGBTQ+ youth. As Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at MaineHealth and former founding director of the MGH Psychiatry Gender Identity Program, Dr. Keuroghlian draws on nearly a decade leading the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and his own published research to discuss the environments and policy climate that put LGBTQ+ young people at risk, what it actually looks like when a child comes out, and how families can repair when a conversation doesn't go as hoped. Citing research showing that strong family support is the greatest predictor of good mental health, academic performance, and housing security for youth down the road, Dr. Keuroghlian makes a compelling case for the power of family acceptance. This episode explores that power, the value of parents sharing their own stories, and the warning signs caregivers should watch for — offering insight, hope, and practical guidance for anyone who wants the LGBTQ+ kids in their life to feel loved, supported, and free to be who they are. Tune in now!

Media List

• Dr. Alex Keuroghlian (MaineHealth)
• PFLAG (National advocacy group for friends and family of LGBTQIA+ people)
• The Trevor Project
• Human Rights Campaign
• What to Look for, When to Worry, What to Do (MGH Clay Center)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can parents, mentors, and communities help young Black men feel safe, seen, and supported in today’s world?

In this powerful episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Nadia Ward for an important conversation about the mental health and well-being of young Black men. Together, they discuss the impact of racial trauma, toxic stress, and racial profiling, while highlighting the importance of mentorship, identity, and community support. They offer insight, hope, and practical guidance for parents, mentors, educators, and anyone committed to creating safe spaces where young Black men can heal, grow, and thrive. Tune in now!

• Nadia Ward (Clark University)
• Mosakowski Institute (Clark University)
• What Is Resilience? (MGH Clay Center)
• What to Look for, When to Worry, What to Do (MGH Clay Center)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ADHD stimulant medication shortages are affecting more people than ever.

In this episode of, Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take a closer look at the ongoing shortage of ADHD stimulant medications and the real impact it is having on children and adults. Joined by Dr. Tony Rostain, they explore the biopsychosocial approach to how ADHD is treated and why medications like Adderall and Ritalin remain so important. They explain what is driving the shortage, from supply chain issues to growing demand, and share practical ways for parents and caregivers to help their teens cope. Listen now to feel more informed, prepared, and supported.

• Anthony L. Rostain, MD, MA (Cooper University)
• Manufacturing Supply Chains and Imports in the ADHD Drug Shortage (JAMA Network)
• ADHD Medication Shortage Continues as the School Year Begins (The New York Times)
• The Rolling Stones - You Can’t Always Get What You Want (YouTube)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the world feels uncertain and headlines hit close to home, how can parents help their children feel safe?

In this episode, of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah explore how families can support children during times of political conflict, such as the current War in Iran. They break down how children and teens at different developmental stages process stress, from preschoolers who may regress to teens grappling with more complex emotions and questions. Tune in for advice and real-life strategies for supporting kids through uncertainty.

• Helping Kids of All Ages in the Face of Terrorism or War (MGH Clay Center)
• Expert tips on how to talk to teens about war in Iran (WCVB)
• Breaking News and Kids (MGH Clay Center)
• Self-Care Resources - Videos, Toolkit, More (MGH Clay Center)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Valetine's Day special of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah explore how teen romance is being reshaped in the digital age. From texting and social media to AI chatbots, they unpack the ways technology is transforming how teens connect, communicate, and even break up. While some online spaces can create a sense of closeness and constant connection, they also bring new challenges such as comparison culture, ghosting, and difficulty navigating face-to-face relationships.

Tune in for practical guidance on the importance of modeling healthy relationships, staying informed about their children's digital worlds, and when to worry about a breakup.

• Exploring the World of AI Therapy (MGH Clay Center)
• How Teens Incorporate Online Platforms and Digital Devices Into Their Romantic Relationships (Pew Research Center)
• Hit Send, No Wait: The Dangers Of A Hyper-Personal Online Life (MGH Clay Center)
• Social Media & Body Image (Shrinking it Down)
• Teens, Technology and Romantic Relationship (Pew Research Center)
• The Power of Peer Support (Shrinking it Down)
• Conflict Resolution Course (MGH Clay Center)
• Ways to Help Your Lonely Teenager (MGH Clay Center)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.