Parenting is a constant journey of juggling both great joy and sometimes pain, especially when one’s child is struggling. Having a support system and outside resources to rely on are instrumental in caring for someone while maintaining inner equilibrium. Amudim’s goal is to be there to offer that assistance, and we are so grateful to have a community of donors that partner with us to maintain this important mission.
Rina* reached out to us with concerns about her 13 year-old daughter, Shani*, who had begun acting out and was having difficulty managing her emotional responses to common everyday situations. There was no known trauma or major incidents that had triggered this behavior. After taking a full history to get a comprehensive picture of the family dynamic and Shani’s childhood experience, our case manager suggested that Shani was dealing with both chronic and acute anxiety, which was most likely the cause of the outbursts.
Our case manager reassured Rina that this was a common issue and very treatable. They discussed different treatment options and decided that a local outpatient pediatric clinic near Shani’s home was the best place for her to work through her anxiety and learn self regulation and coping skills; the clinic also offers guidance for parents to learn about and fine tune strategies for effectively and lovingly supporting their child. Rina’s case manager also recommended several books and podcasts that could be helpful in navigating this challenge that was affecting the entire family.
Six months later, Shani is continuing her treatment, and her parents report that Shani seems more calm, grounded, and is handling life’s daily challenges without fewer emotional disruptions. Rina and her husband found an online parent support group where they are able to share and learn from others in the community who have children with anxiety. They feel supported, hopeful, and less alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is just a phone call away and here to help.
*Names and details have been changed for privacy purposes.
Each week, Amudim fields calls covering a wide range of crises and addressing various human concerns, including addiction, depression, abuse, health and domestic emergencies and many others. We track the calls and breakdown of issues for many reasons, foremost of which is to consistently improve and strengthen our knowledge and ability to address community’s needs.