Articles by Gene Beresin and Khadijah Booth Watkins

September 24, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Back to School in 2026: Why this Year is Different

 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 Back to School 2026 — Episode Transcript Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple SPEAKERS: Gene Beresin, MD, MA; Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH [01:00:29:03 – 01:00:32:18] Gene Beresin Welcome back to “Shrinking It Down, Mental Health Made […]

August 20, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Cyberbullying: Where There’s No Place to Hide – A Guide For Parents and Young People

  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, […]

June 18, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 […]

May 21, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 […]

April 23, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 19, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate 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 […]

February 19, 2026

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Teen Romance in the Digital Era

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 […]

December 18, 2025

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Anxiety in the Family: Helping One Child Without Leaving Others Behind

In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Kat Boger to explore what it’s like for families when one child is struggling with an anxiety disorder. They discuss how to explain anxiety in an age-appropriate way, unintended effects of family accommodation, and realistic strategies to […]

November 20, 2025

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Finding Gratitude in a Time of Fear, Anger, and Uncertainty

Thanksgiving is approaching fast; a time of gratitude, reflection, and gathering. But this year feels different. With fear, anger, and uncertainty dominating our world, it’s hard to ask: How are we supposed to give thanks right now? In this holiday episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah discuss the importance […]