This past Monday night, we were able to hear from Laura Benton, M.S., LMFT, as she spoke on Contending for Connection: Fresh Vision for Youth Mental Health. It was a great time to learn from a mental health expert, who had a wealth of good information to share about a current and emotional topic.

As she talked, Laura encouraged us that very simple, ordinary things are an opportunity to create connection. She said that this mental health crisis moment can be a time to see things differently and be a turning point for hope. We have the opportunity to help our youth create a bigger story for their lives.

Hope can start with some ordinary measures like this that create connection:
- Communicate openly and honestly, including about your values
- Spend time with your child in shared activities
- Guide children to make healthy, wise decisions
- Help with homework
- Volunteer at your child's school

Then building on that, you can help your child move from dis-regulation to regulation by weaving these everyday therapeutic practices into daily life:
- Connection to family and community
- Movement - exercise, yoga, running, dance, walking, etc.
- Breathing and meditation
- Spiritual practices like prayer, worship, journaling, hiking, meditating
- Sleep - getting enough!
- Screen-free time
- Practicing scripture

Mental health is a complex issue and there isn't often an easy answer around the struggles we all face. So, maybe just a few some baby steps toward connection and emotional regulation is all that's possible. That's okay! As Laura said, we have this opportunity for a change, for hope, for a new outlook. Exploring these ordinary ways to connect and everyday therapies to move from dis-regulation to regulation that Laura shared can show our children that they are seen, known and accepted. That they belong and matter.