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How Two Sisters Navigated Their Diagnoses

Margaret and Norah were both struggling individually — but with the support of their family and the Child Mind Institute, they began healing, together.

Norah and Margaret’s Stories

Despite their six-year age difference, sisters Margaret and Norah share a close bond. Big sister Norah describes Margaret as “very quiet but mighty,” while Margaret admires Norah’s sense of humor and kindness. But both of these sisters were dealing with their own mental health struggles.

Treading Water

Norah’s lifelong anxiety and depression had recently worsened. Coupled with a recent autism diagnosis, she felt underwater. She would miss school, and her fears would spiral further: What if she fell so far behind that she could never catch up?

Margaret was missing a lot of school, too — anxious and sad to the point of having what she described as meltdowns. These symptoms started for her at just six years old.

“I felt stressed and sad for no reason … I couldn’t pinpoint why. I felt like everything was my fault.”

– Margaret, Child Mind Institute Patient

A Team Effort

Even when children have the same diagnoses or symptoms, their treatment can take different approaches. That’s what Norah and Margaret found when their family came to the Child Mind Institute.

Some tools resonate more for certain kids — like a “square breathing” technique that Margaret learned to manage anxiety. But the Child Mind Institute’s comprehensive approach also involves a team of providers, including therapists, neuropsychologists, and medication specialists, working collaboratively to tailor treatment plans for each child’s unique needs.

“Being able to do all the stuff to manage my anxiety helps — and also having a medication on top of that helps a lot more.”

– Norah, Child Mind Institute Patient

A Family Full of Strength

Today, Norah and Margaret each have their own toolboxes to help them not only get through the day but excel — at school and beyond. They’ve learned what they’re capable of — and so has their mom, Rebecca.

“Not only have I learned about their bravery and grit and strength, but I’ve realized the ways I can support them in letting them do it themselves,” she says.

“I don’t have to be the fixer. I’ve learned from my daughters that they can fix it — they can do it themselves.”

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About the Child Mind Institute

Millions of children – as many as 1 in 5 – struggle with mental health or learning challenges. Fully 70% of U.S. counties do not have a single child and adolescent psychiatrist. Due to stigma, misinformation, and a lack of access to care, the average time between onset of symptoms and any treatment at all is over 8 years. Our children deserve better.

That’s why the Child Mind Institute was created.

We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We’ve become the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments.

Together, we truly can transform children’s lives.

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To find out if your employer will match your donation and for other enquiries, please contact our development team via phone 646.779.1779 or email developmentinfo@childmind.org.

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Donation Information

Child Mind Institute is a tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 80-0478843) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Every donation made to the Child Mind Institute is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We do not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

Donor Privacy Policy

We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by the Child Mind Institute, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

The Child Mind Institute comprises a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Child Mind Institute, Inc., and two clinical programs, Child Mind Medical Practice, PLLC and Child Mind Medical Practice, PC. Donations to the Child Mind Institute are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Upon request, a copy of our latest annual report can be obtained by contacting the Child Mind Institute at Attention: Development Office, 215 East 50th Street
New York, New York 10022 or by contacting the Charities Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General at 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

More Ways to Support Children's Mental Health

Explore more ways you can support the Child Mind Institute and our mission to transform children’s mental health. From donations by check to giving through your employer, we offer a variety of giving options to fit your preference.

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