Additional tips and resources

Healthy habits can help stop and handle behavior and mental health problems. Along with local Rhode Island resources, these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics might be useful.

1. Exercise

   Moving your body helps many children feel happier, less worried, and more focused. It can also help with ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

2. Sleep

   Getting enough sleep every night is important for controlling emotions, paying attention, and feeling good overall.

3. Nutrition

   Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps your child’s brain work better. Poor eating habits can make kids more hyper, moody, and distracted.

4. Mindfulness

   Activities like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga teach children to calm down, handle their emotions, and feel less stressed.

Many Rhode Island and national organizations provide helpful information and links to resources.

1. Bradley Hospital. Provides expert, family-focused care to children and adolescents with psychological, developmental and behavioral problems through a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, residential and partial hospital programs.
   • The Pediatric Anxiety Research Center (PARC) at Bradley Hospital is partnering with community health centers across Rhode Island on a new study, called IMPACT-RI, testing team-based models of care delivery for anxiety and OCD. For more information, please call 401-432-1469 or complete a study interest form.
2. Kids’ Link. The free, confidential phone line, 1-855-543-5465, connects parents and caregivers to an experienced clinician that can help them access children’s services in Rhode Island, and determine the best place for treatment and counseling.
3. Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH). Information and resources for individuals and families coping with mental health and substance use challenges.
4. Rhode Island Department of Education. Information and resources on accessing support at school, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
5. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Features articles, parenting tips, and guidelines on various behavioral health topics. Visit AAP.
6. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Information for families on child and teen mental health.
7. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). Resources for families on child and teen mental health.
8. Child Mind Institute. A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and families with mental health and learning disorders. Find articles, guides, and resources on a variety of behavioral health issues. Visit Child Mind Institute.
9. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Information on mental health conditions, support groups, and educational materials for parents.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information on developmental milestones, signs of behavioral issues, and tips for parents.
11. Zero to Three. Focuses on the development of children from birth to age three, providing resources on early childhood behavior and development.
12. Parent Coach RI. This resource empowers parents and caregivers to help improve their child’s mental health while also taking care of themselves via tips, strategies, and a weekly newsletter.
13. Family Caregiver Alliance of Rhode Island - United Way of Rhode Island.The Family Caregiver Alliance of RI actively supports those caring for a diverse range of people across the lifespan, including pediatric caregivers. They provide advocacy, education, peer support and resources to the growing population of family caregivers in Rhode Island.
14. Centreville Bank Stadium partnered with KultureCity to create sensory accessibility and inclusion during all stadium events. A Sensory Room is available for guests. Also, guests can borrow KultureCity sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and other resources for free from Guest Services.