Last day of school fun!
We’re kicking back and having some bouncy, splashy fun today to celebrate the last day of the school year! Residents are enjoying a change of pace with a water slide and bouncy house.
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The Importance of Affection on Children’s Mental Health
Many studies have been done that show the importance of affection on children and their proper development into adulthood. Harry Harlow, an American psychologist, conducted studies on infant rhesus monkeys. In his research, he took the monkeys from their mothers and placed them in isolation or with either a wire and straw replacement with milk…
Signs of Suicide in Children and Adolescents
When adults see children and adolescents, they think they are so full of life and have such bright futures. Looks can be deceiving. Young people are sometimes hiding fears, insecurities, and feelings of hopelessness from which they think they cannot escape. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in those age 10 and 24,…
Celebrating Our Third Anniversary
Happy Red River Week! During the week of July 1-7, the staff at Red River Youth Academy are celebrating our third anniversary, and we have some fun activities planned. We’ve experienced some positive changes over the past three years under the Meridian Behavioral Health Systems umbrella, including a complete remodel, refocusing our program on trauma-informed…
Is it Emotional Growing Pains or Something More? Recognizing Signs of Concern in Children’s Mental Health
Frequently, parents may find it hard to know if a child is having mental health issues or if they are experiencing typical physical or emotional growing pains. With the incidence of mental illness in children at such an alarming rate, being aware of signs and symptoms is important. May 7-13 is Children’s Mental Health Awareness…
Childhood Trauma: Addressing adverse experiences fosters brighter futures
Many people think of childhood as a time of carefree summer days and the love and support of family. In reality, that is not always the case. Every day, countless children experience traumatic events that not only affect their well-being in childhood, but, if unaddressed, will have a profound impact on their adult life as…
School Counselors Help Students Reach for the Stars
Red River Youth Academy recognizes the important role school counselors play in supporting students’ mental health and helping them achieve school success, and we join our counselor colleagues in celebrating National School Counseling Week, Feb. 5-9. The theme of this year’s celebration is “School Counselors: Helping Students Reach for the Stars.” It is the special…
Quelling false rumors
We would like to allay concerns and squash false rumors that Red River Youth Academy is closing in February. This is not the case whatsoever. There are no plans to close the facility. Proposed cuts to SoonerCare (Medicaid) reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) services were taken off the table earlier this fall. During…