Today is National Family Day.

This unofficial holiday encourages family members to spend quality time together, often by sharing a meal ideally with phones turned off.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (now known as the Partnership to End Addiction) established the day in 2001 which started as an effort to promote regular family dinners as a simple and effective way to help prevent teen substance abuse and encourage open communication between parents and children.

Families can also take this day to play board games, look through old photo albums, cook a new recipe together, or going for a walk outside.

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🗞 Senate approves legislation targeted at pilot, air traffic control mental health guidance. The Senate passed legislation aimed at strengthening mental-health support in the aviation industry, recognizing that pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals can face intense stress while also worrying that seeking treatment could jeopardize their careers. The measures are intended to improve access to mental-health resources and make it easier for aviation workers to seek help without automatically fearing professional consequences. Read more at The Hill

🗞 TikTok settles lawsuit with Alabama for at least $100 million, will implement safety features.  TikTok has agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and make significant changes to how teenagers use the platform, settling the state’s claims just before the case was scheduled for trial. The settlement requires features including a two-hour daily limit, breaks during extended use, overnight access restrictions, stronger age verification, more parental controls, and a non-personalized feed option for teens. Read more at AP News

🗞 High screen time can hurt children’s learning and language skills, study suggests.  A major new review of research involving more than 2.8 million children across 64 countries, has found that greater screen exposure was associated with lower overall academic achievement and language development, as well as more emotional, peer, and behavioral difficulties. The researchers emphasize that these are associations, not proof that screens directly cause mental-health problems, and experts caution against treating screen time as the single explanation for childhood distress. Read more at The Guardian

🗞 Brian Austin Green had a hopeful message for the final days of suicide prevention month. Brian Austin Green used the final days of September to share a hopeful message about mental health after publicly acknowledging that he had been having a difficult few days. The actor said that his feelings had changed significantly by the following morning and emphasized that difficult periods can pass, while thanking people who reached out to him with support. His message also highlights the importance of connection: even a simple check-in from another person can matter when someone is struggling. Read more at OK Magazine

Mental Health: In Crisis? Call or Text 988

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press ‘1’ or Text 838255

Youth Helpline: 2NDFLOOR - (888) 222-2228

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)

Addiction: Start Your Recovery - (800) 662-4357

Staying In Might Be the Ultimate Form of Self-Care, According to Psychologists. An article in Real Simple makes a refreshing case for staying home as an intentional form of self-care, especially when you're feeling overstimulated, burned out, exhausted, or simply in need of some quiet. Psychologists interviewed for the piece note that chosen solitude can reduce stress and decision fatigue while creating room for reflection, hobbies, and emotional reset—but they also emphasize that too much isolation can increase loneliness. Read More at Real Simple

MYTH: Children’s mental health issues are just a phase and don’t require professional help.

FACT: Mental health issues should never be dismissed as a phase. Professional help, such as therapy or counseling, can provide children with the tools and support they need to cope and thrive. Early intervention can prevent problems from escalating and improve long-term outcomes.

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