Articles by Gene Beresin and Khadijah Booth Watkins

June 18, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Parent and Caregiver Support of LGBTQ+ Youth

  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 […]

June 15, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Cyberbullying: A Serious, Often Dangerous Form of Harm and Ways to Support Your Teen

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director When I was in 6th grade, a small group of bullies from my class frequently hid in bushes I walked past to go home from school. Each encounter was clearly the same: One big kid, Burt (I still remember his name) grabbed me from behind and held me back while […]

May 21, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Community, Connection, and the Mental Health of Young Black Men

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 […]

May 18, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

What is Looksmaxxing? A mental health expert explains

Have you heard of looksmaxxing? It’s a growing online trend that defines boys and young men by the mathematical metrics of their appearance — jaw shape, eye angle, muscularity, and what’s called “hunter eyes.” And it’s spreading fast through streaming video. In this video, Dr. Gene Beresin — Executive Director of the Clay Center for […]

May 1, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Perils of Looksmaxxing for Young Men: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Of all the times that I’ve been burned/By now you’d think I’d have learned/That it’s who you look like, not who you are/You all keep that in mind – Jackson Browne (1977) Social pressures on physical appearance are not new. Girls and young women have sustained a thinness imperative from the Flappers in the 1920s, […]

April 23, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The ADHD Stimulant Shortage: What Parents and Caregivers Can Do

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 […]

April 2, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teen Romance and Breakups in the Digital Age: Navigating the World of Ghosting, Blocking and Harassment

Mm, I didn’t wanna leave you, I didn’t wanna lie/Started to cry, but then remembered/I can buy myself flowers/Write my name in the sand/Talk to myself for hours/Say things you don’t understand – Miley Cyrus Teen romance looks very different today than it did a generation ago. Texting, social media, and even AI chatbots have […]

March 26, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Online Sports Gambling Among Gen Z Youth: Risks and Tips to Prevent Gambling Addiction

“You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run…”  Kenny Rogers, The Gambler  Online sports betting is skyrocketing. And the population at greatest risk for use, misuse, and possible future gambling addiction are Gen Z youth, ages 18-29. The 2026 March […]

March 19, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Talking with Your Kids about the War in Iran

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 […]

March 9, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Fostering Independence in Teens & Young Adults with ADHD: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting a teen or young adult with ADHD can feel like walking a tightrope: you want to keep them safe, and you want them to grow. In today’s “always‑on” world—post‑pandemic, digitally saturated, and full of uncertainty—that balance is harder than ever. This guide distills practical insights and strategies to help you nurture autonomy, resilience, and […]