Navigating Childhood Anxiety and Depression – Dr. Rush Witt
"Kids communicate their mental state in many different ways - not always verbally. It's essential to read between the lines of their behavior." ~ Dr. Rush Witt
Dr. Rush Witt joins Yvette Hampton on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast to dive into the critical topic of our kids' mental health. In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Witt, a pastor, biblical counselor, and season homeschool dad, offers valuable insights on recognizing and addressing anxiety and depression in children. Learn the signs of distress and discover how beliefs and desires influence mental health based on biblical principles. Whether you're a homeschooling parent or just a mom or dad who is concerned about your child's emotional well-being, this conversation provides clear guidance on how to bring Christ's answers to them. Don't miss these vital conversations around mental health in today's challenging world.
Recommended Resources:
ACBC - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
CCEF – Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
Get Outta My Face!: How to Reach Angry, Unmotivated Teens with Biblical Counsel, by Rick Horne
Get Offa My Case!: Godly Parenting of an Angry Teen, by Rick Horne
Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp
Don’t Make Me Count to Three!, by Ginger Hubbard
Related Podcast Episodes:
Hope for Depression and Anxiety - Rachael Carman - Part 1 Part 2 | Part 3
Discussion Questions:
1. How can parents effectively communicate with children of different ages and personalities to understand their mental health needs?
2. What are some probing questions parents can ask to help children open up about their feelings and struggles?
3. Dr. Rush Witt emphasizes looking at the heart to understand issues like depression and anxiety. How can parents apply this approach when they suspect their children might be dealing with these challenges?
4. Yvette reflects on the difficulty of distinguishing between an introverted child and one who might be showing signs of emotional distress. What are some key indicators that parents can look for?
5. How can parents build a relationship with their children that balances authority and friendship to create a supportive environment for discussing mental health?
6. The “enter, understand, bring” approach suggested by Dr. Rush Witt is derived from Matthew 9. Can you provide an example of how this method could be used in a real-life parenting scenario?
7. Why is it critical for parents to spend time in God’s word, and how does this practice impact their ability to cope with their children’s mental health concerns?
8. When is it appropriate for parents to seek outside help, such as biblical counseling, for their children’s issues, and what are some resources or organizations they can turn to?
9. The podcast talks about the importance of unity and support between parents when dealing with a child’s mental health. What are some practical ways parents can maintain this unity, especially under stress?
Sponsors:
Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Our mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through our print and digital curriculum and online classes.
BJU Press Homeschool is dedicated to providing homeschool families with academically strong curriculum rooted in a biblical worldview. They offer a complete curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, available in both traditional textbooks and video courses. By teaching through the lens of Christ’s power, they help students view the world through the transformative story of God’s creation
CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Start your free trial today.
The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast is a member of the Biblical Family Network. Our mission is to support and encourage the family by providing the very best podcasts on family, discipleship, marriage, parenting, worldview, culture, and education, all from a Biblical perspective. Visit the website for more great shows, like the Thinking Dad, Culture Proof, Homeschool Insights, and Made2Homeschool.
