Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH

08/20/2026

The bullying doesn't stop when the school bell rings anymore.

In this episode of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah dig into cyberbullying — how it's different from the bullying of decades past, why it's harder to escape, and which kids are most at risk. Using our three W's (what to look for, when to worry, what to do), they walk through the warning signs and concrete steps every parent, caregiver, and educator needs to know.

🎧 New episode is live — https://bit.ly/4ik9SDx

07/28/2026

What makes the bond between grandparents and grandchildren so special? Dr. Gene Beresin, Executive Director of the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, joined PlanMember to talk about exactly that.

Gene — a grandfather of nine — shares how grandparents can offer a different kind of support than parents: fewer rules, more listening, and often a safe space for kids to bring things they wouldn't bring to mom or dad. He also talks about grandparents as family historians, and how much wisdom flows the other way too — from grandkids back to grandparents.

A meaningful watch/listen for anyone navigating family relationships across generations. 🔗 Link in the post.

06/18/2026

In this Pride Month episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Alex Keuroghlian for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about supporting LGBTQ+ youth. As Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at MaineHealth and former founding director of the MGH Psychiatry Gender Identity Program, Dr. Keuroghlian draws on nearly a decade leading the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and his own published research to discuss the environments and policy climate that put LGBTQ+ young people at risk, what it actually looks like when a child comes out, and how families can repair when a conversation doesn’t go as hoped. Citing research showing that strong family support is the greatest predictor of good mental health, academic performance, and housing security for youth down the road, Dr. Keuroghlian makes a compelling case for the power of family acceptance. This episode explores that power, the value of parents sharing their own stories, and the warning signs caregivers should watch for — offering insight, hope, and practical guidance for anyone who wants the LGBTQ+ kids in their life to feel loved, supported, and free to be who they are. Tune in now!

https://bit.ly/3QyFzxn

05/21/2026

How can parents, mentors, and communities help young Black men feel safe, seen, and supported in today’s world?

Dr. Nadia Ward joins Gene and Khadijah for a meaningful conversation about supporting the mental health and well-being of young Black men. Together, they explore racial trauma, resilience, mentorship, identity, and the importance of creating safe spaces where young men can heal, grow, and thrive

Dr. Nadia Ward joins Gene and Khadijah for a meaningful conversation about supporting the mental health and well-being of young Black men.

05/21/2026

Part 3: What to do

What should parents actually do if they're worried about looksmaxxing?

Dr. Gene Beresin of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH walks through the warning signs to watch for — including mirror-checking, social withdrawal, changes in diet, and excessive use of appearance-focused social media — and explains how to start the conversation with your kids.

The message at the heart of it: identity conversations should start early, and they should be about values, relationships, and character — not appearance.

📖 Full Clay Center article: https://bit.ly/4eQdaN6
🎙️ NPR interview with Dr. Beresin: https://bit.ly/4ulSAbV
📝 Psychology Today blog: https://bit.ly/4w4oLhD
🌐 Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds: mghclaycenter.org

05/21/2026

Part 2: Perils of Looksmaxxing
Looksmaxxing isn't just about skin care routines.

At its most extreme, it includes jaw manipulation and surgical procedures — all in pursuit of a look defined by online metrics. And the mental health consequences are real: body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and more.

Dr. Gene Beresin of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH breaks it down in this short video.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the Clay Center has resources — and help is always available by calling or texting 988.

05/21/2026

Part 1 of 3: Have you heard of looksmaxxing?

It's a growing online trend that defines boys and young men by "mathematical metrics" of appearance — jaw angles, eye shape, muscularity — and it can have serious consequences for their mental health and self-image.

Dr. Gene Beresin, Executive Director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains what looksmaxxing is and why parents and caregivers need to know about it.

Read the full piece at the Clay Center website.

05/10/2026

Mother’s Day isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s joyful. For others, it’s complicated, tender, or even painful. However you’re showing up this year, your experience matters. In this thoughtful throwback piece from Dr. Steve Schlozman, he reminds us that there’s no one “right” way to celebrate.

The Clay Center is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers support the mental, behavioral, and emotional well-being of children, teens, and young adults.

05/07/2026

This , celebrate educators and remind them that their well-being matters. When teachers prioritize their own well-being, they show up stronger for their students every day. Small self-care moments can make a big difference

As a teacher, building self-care into your routine is so important for your mental health and wellness, and your ability to support students.

05/01/2026

Dr. Gene Beresin's guide to looksmaxxing is out today — and it's already making waves.

When our Executive Director set out to write a guide for parents on looksmaxxing, he wanted to answer a simple question: what do I do if I think my son is caught up in this?
Looksmaxxing is an online movement pushing boys and young men to "maximize" their appearance through increasingly extreme measures — restrictive dieting, steroid use, even cosmetic surgery. It's spreading fast on the platforms your kids are already using, and the mental and physical health consequences are real.

Today, Gene's guide is live on the Clay Center blog. NPR is covering the story and featuring his expertise. And Psychology Today has named it an Essential Read — the designation their editors reserve for content they consider most important for readers right now.

With over 40 years of experience in child psychiatry at MGH and Harvard Medical School, Gene has seen a lot. He says he's never seen anything quite like this. And he wrote this guide because parents deserve clear, honest, evidence-based information — not alarm, not jargon, just the tools to stay connected with their kids.

👉 Read the full guide: https://bit.ly/4eQdaN6
👉 Featured on NPR: https://bit.ly/4ulSAbV
👉 Essential Read on Psychology Today: https://bit.ly/4w4oLhD