News & Insights

This article discusses sensitive topics such as suicide and other potentially disturbing content. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, please reach out for help. The California Parent and Youth Helpline is 855-427-2736.

“If you don’t have sex with me, I’m going to kill myself.”

These are words that no one wants to hear, but what if you didn’t hear them; your 13-year-old daughter did at school.

You know the boy and you know his family, but what you don’t know is what to do next.

Should you keep your daughter home from school? Should you call his mother, or should you call the police?

The parent in this situation called the California Parent and Youth Helpline®, a free service that offers emotional support to adults, children, and youth in the state. A trained counselor informed her of the available options and advised her to talk to the principal, the school counselor, and the police, enabling her to get a juvenile restraining order against the boy.

Now in its fourth year, the California Parent and Youth Helpline is a partnership between Parents Anonymous®, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Social Services. Created in May 2020, the nonprofit organization offers a 24/7 helpline in over 240 languages, online and in-person parenting support groups and mental health services — all free of charge. Their motto is “Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength®” and it’s something that Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, President and CEO of Parents Anonymous, takes to heart. “There isn’t any issue you can’t call us about,” she says. “The more we can do to support parents, children and youth, the more we do to support entire families.”

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Racism is a complex subject to discuss, especially with children. Parents and trusted educators must take the initiative to teach kids about race and racial issues in an age-appropriate way so they can understand and stand up against racism. Raising children in a world where racism still exists can be challenging for parents. How do you even begin to educate your kids on the effects of racism while fostering respect, empathy and keeping them safe simultaneously?

The first step is understanding that parents are the most significant influence and supporter of their children as they develop. Parents can actively teach their children about racism by leading by example and demonstrating the positive attitudes for the child to use.

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Awoman has shared the moment she guided her daughter through her first shave on TikTok.

Brandee Mulligan, 39, can be seen sitting on the edge of a bathtub with her daughter Marley, 10, opposite her. Both are lathering themselves up with shaving foam ahead of the hair removal.

Mulligan, from Wisconsin, told Newsweek: “There are bigger fish to fry when it comes to parenting pre-teens than letting her shave her legs, like trying to keep her off social media. That’s a big one.”

The parenting milestone footage has racked up 3.7 million views since it was posted on March, 31.

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An indoor security camera recently recorded a touching moment between a mother and her 8-year-old daughter highlighting the innocence of children.

In the footage, Storm Patterson’s daughter recounts a conversation she had with her friends. The third-grader mistakenly believed her mom to be 21 years old, and her friends attempted to calculate her age. This led them to believe that her mom had given birth at the age of 13.

The 32-year-old mom from Florida shared the adorable conversation that has racked up 1.4 million views in just two days.

Patterson, told Newsweek: “I’m glad she views me as younger.”

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“The dad has clearly stated the purpose of this trip with his daughter to his current girlfriend, which seems more than appropriate not to include her. Honoring the role of her mother, who has passed away, is very personal and healing for them both,” Lisa Pion-Berlin, ACSW, of California, told Fox News Digital. 

Pion-Berlin is CEO of Parents Anonymous, a self-help organization that aims to prevent child abuse. 

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Newly proposed legislation could lead to the creation of a toll-free national hotline for parents and young people to provide help with mental health, parenting, substance abuse and other challenges.

The legislation, introduced this week by U.S. Rep. Norma Torres, comes as questions loom over the High Desert regarding support for those dealing with mental health crises. Earlier this month, a 15-year-old Apple Valley boy with autism was fatally shot by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.

The National Parents and Youth Helpline Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to create a 24-hour hotline for parents and children dealing with issues related to mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, parenting and more, according to a statement issued by Torres’ office.

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In this episode of Breaking The Stigma, Dr. Lisa is joined by Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, who is sponsoring the National Parent and Youth Helpline Act of 2024 (H.R. 7812) to expand resources for American families.

Congresswoman Torres and Dr. Lisa discuss how the Helpline is a vital resource for those that need someone to reach out to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Congresswoman Torres talks about the importance of advocacy, and the legacy of Parents Anonymous and the National Parent & Youth Helpline that is working in our communities and why she sponsored this bill. She believes “we shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help or show our humanity. The more we talk about issues the better we are at addressing them.” Congresswoman Torres shares how she found support during difficult times in her life and how when something happens in our community, it is our responsibility as a community to support each other.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lisa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The critical factor behind our success is that we are committed to keeping our promise to be there for parents and youth, no matter what. Through our 24/7 National Parent and Youth Helpline™ and through the Evidence-Based Weekly Parents Anonymous® groups and all our different programs offered, we are here to support. We make a promise not to blame or shame people, but instead offer to help in their personal empowerment journey.

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During February, which is National Parent Leadership Month, the nonprofit Parents Anonymous is celebrating the successful launch of the new National Parent and Youth Helpline.

The Helpline has received more than 19,000 calls in its first few months. On Saturday, the group cut the ribbon on its new headquarters in Pasadena.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., spoke at the event, saying National Parent Leadership Month is the perfect time to reassure families they are not alone.

“It is a time for them to learn that there are resources available,” Chu noted. “You can change your life around and feel better yourself, but also help your children live better lives.”

Parents Anonymous created National Parent Leadership Month 30 years ago. The nation’s 174 million parents and young people who need emotional support can call or text 855-427-2736 or live-chat 24/7 on the website.

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Tricky conversations with kids are par for the course when you become a parent. But while many know they have to introduce the idea of stranger danger or eventually explain the birds and the bees, plenty of other topics need to be understood by children by certain age milestones.

Children learn something new every day, and parents work hard to get them ready for adulthood. Sixty-three percent of parents who participated in the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health in 2019 said they are doing enough to prepare their teenagers for adulthood. While raising children is all about pointing them in the right direction, 52 percent of the 2,032 parents surveyed said it’s critical that teenagers have the opportunity to make mistakes.

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