Raising Resilient Minds

Mental Health Matters: Pediatric Psychiatry Explained

Jihan Season 2 Episode 5

In this episode of Raising Resilient Minds, host Dr. Jihan welcomes Dr. Ranelle Lewis, a child psychiatrist, to discuss resilience and mental health in children. Dr. Lewis shares her journey in starting a private practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma, emphasizing her passion for outpatient psychiatry and continuity of care. The discussion covers the meaning of resilience, the prevalence of mental health disorders among children, and the roles of cultural and socioeconomic biases. They touch on various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and stress the importance of parental involvement and self-care. Dr. Lewis also discusses the careful consideration needed when prescribing medications to children and the importance of transparency and education for parents regarding potential side effects. The episode concludes with advice for parents to spend quality time with their children and to address their own mental health to better support their kids.