I hope this newsletter finds you and yours safe and well. It is hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that it is September! As I reflect on these past 6 months, I have witnessed significant suffering and loss...more so than at any other time in my career of 25 years. However, I have also seen rebuilding and resilience at equally high levels. Children, teens and families have strengthened very important life skills of adaptability, staying present in the moment, and learning how to sit with feelings of boredom, sadness and anxiety about the future.

The school year may not be smooth sailing for most of us. Maybe the focus this year need not be on creating ideal learning environments for our students, or achieving academic success the way we are used to; perhaps this school year is an opportunity to teach our children to be resilient, strong, adaptable, and less-than-perfect when the storms of life hit.

This newsletter is all about the importance of sleep. This is especially important during times of uncertainty and changing landscapes beyond our control.

Do you know how much sleep 6 - 12 year olds need??? You might be surprised! See if you can find the answer somewhere in this newsletter!

Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter. Don't miss our editor's personal message at the bottom of the page ---it's worth the read! We have also included some resources on suicide in honor of Suicide Awareness Month. We appreciate you being part of our journey.

Dr. Pam McCaskill

734-416-9098

Raise your hand if you've ever been in a bad mood because you're so tired? Now raise your hand if you notice that your child's behavior changes when they don't get enough sleep? If you're a parent, my guess is that you raised both your hands. A lack of sleep does more than just make us feel sleepy. Not getting enough of it impacts our moods, behaviors, thought patterns, and our physical health. In the summer, it's easy to play catch-up, but when fall hits, it can be challenging to find time for an extra snooze. This month, our therapist, Truc Nguyen, shares her top 10 tips for getting your child's sleep schedule back on track, while helping to establish proper sleep hygiene for healthy long-term benefits. Sweet Dreams!

If either you, your children, or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us! Our clinicians are trained in empirically-based skills and techniques to help with sleep-related difficulties, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.

Presented by Jaclyn Rink, MS, TLLP

Presented by Dr. Nicole Wozniak

MY3 is a useful app that connects the user to 3 people they trust with the click of an button. The user can also create a individualized, virtual safety plan to use as a reminder for when they are feeling unsafe.

The CDC reports that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people ages 10-24.

With such an alarming statistic, awareness of warning signs, open conversation, prevention and ongoing resources should be available to all parents, educators and teens.

Click the link below for a free handout that will educate you on some top warning signs for suicidal behavior. Always remember, if you or someone you know seems to be struggling, never hesitate to seek emergency treatment or reach out for support.