News & Insights

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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Parents Anonymous, Inc., a national non-profit organization, announced news this week of a $10M grant they received from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer free mental health resources for both parents and youth. This 5-year grant will provide essential resources for the Helpline’s services to over 174 million parents and youth seeking life-changing support in the U.S.

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Thanks to a $10 million federal grant, Parents Anonymous, Inc. has expanded its ability to help parents and youth dealing with emotional and mental challenges. The organization’s National Parent & Youth Helpline is now offering immediate emotional support through calls, texts and chats answered by trained and caring staff 24 hours a day and seven days a week to parents, caregivers and youth up to 25 years old.

The expanded services are supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $10 million, with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS.

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Do you have the tools to help if your child is being bullied?

(KTAL/KMSS) – During the month of October, experts and specialists are educating schools and communities to raise awareness for bullying prevention.

Mental health experts want to share resources with parents and guardians to help people understand the impacts of bullying and the signs of suicidal ideation.

Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin is the CEO of Parents Anonymous an organization that provides free mental health services through support groups and a multilingual helpline.

Watch the full interview here: Do you have the tools to help if your child is being bullied?

It is well known that chronic stress has negative effects on both your mental and physical well-being. Chances of developing hypertension, memory loss, diabetes, depression and anxiety all increase the more stress we carry with us. But did you know it can be inherited by your children?

Prolonged stress and trauma significantly impact the fundamental components of the brain, to the extent that it can alter genes. According to Henry Ford Health, genes that have been modified can be inherited by children, making them more susceptible to and impacted by stress. Consequently, dysfunction can persist in families across generations, creating cycles of trauma. Read More…

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —

A new report is shedding light on the state mental health across the country.

And while it is suicide prevention month, a recent rise in death rates is drawing attention to youth here in Tennessee.

According to the Sycamore Institute Study, in 2021, nearly 1 in 4 Tennessee high schoolers seriously considered attempting suicide, more than 1 in 10 tried, and 39 adolescents 12-17 died from suicide.

13% of Tennessee high schoolers reported attempting suicide in 2021. That’s slightly higher than the national rate of 10%.

“I’m speaking as a mom. I have twin 11 year olds, and they have experienced this with their peers, they’ve come home saying, ‘Mommy, so and so was talking about suicide,'” says Eve Nite, Executive Director of CIT Connect.

“That’s a scary thing for anybody, child or adult, to even think about. Because when people have suicidal thoughts, they don’t even know why they have them,” says Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, CEO of Parents Anonymous.

But as shocking as those numbers may sound. Eve Nite with Chattanooga non-profit CIT Connect says the data is not completely accurate.

“Our mental health data is inherently sexist and racist. And so when you look at this data, I hope that you take it with a grain of salt, realizing that the true problem is far greater than our data is even suggesting,” says Nite.

Nite says it is resources for teens that make all the difference.

The Sycamore Institute found that access to school-based mental health personnel varies county to county in Tennessee, with Hamilton County far from the lead.

CIT Connect does training for law enforcement, first responders, and community agencies who might interact with someone who might be in a mental health crisis.

But it’s also about providing tools to parents who may not have all of the answers.

“We need to ask parents, ‘what do you need?’ ‘What do you want?’ ‘How can we help?’ Instead of deciding that for other people. Parents feel so blamed and shamed,” says Dr. Pion-Berlin.

Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin is the CEO of Parents Anonymous, a nonprofit that provides free mental health services through support groups and its national multilingual helpline.

“Nationwide, we don’t have enough licensed clinicians, you’re gonna have to fight for your child,” says Nite.

If you’re struggling, remember you are NOT alone.

The national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.

There is also an online chatroom at 988lifeline.org.