Dr. Huston on NBC4: Summer Mental Fitness for Kids | COPBH in the Community
At COPBH, our commitment to children's mental health extends beyond our Westerville office. We believe that reaching families where they are — through the media, community events, and schools — is just as important as the work we do in the therapy room. That's why we're proud to share moments when our clinicians bring pediatric mental health into the broader community conversation.
Dr. Parker Huston, founder of Central Ohio Pediatric Behavioral Health, was featured live on NBC4 Columbus in an interview with anchor Darlene Hill as part of Nationwide Children's Hospital's On Our Sleeves Mental Health Awareness Month campaign. The topic: Summer Mental Fitness for Kids.
▶ Watch the full NBC4 interview here
Summer can be a wonderful break from school stress — but for many children, the loss of routine, increased screen time, and less structured activity can quietly chip away at their mental well-being. In this interview, Dr. Huston shared practical, research-backed strategies that parents and caregivers can use to keep their kids mentally strong all summer long.
Key takeaways from the interview:
Keep the brain engaged. Unstructured time is valuable, but children benefit from activities that challenge their thinking — reading, puzzles, creative play, or learning something new. Boredom doesn't have to be the enemy; managed well, it can spark creativity.
Practice mindfulness as a family. You don't need a meditation app or a quiet room. Simple breathwork, gratitude check-ins at the dinner table, or a few moments of stillness before bed can make a measurable difference in how children handle stress.
Prioritize physical activity. The mind-body connection in children is strong. Daily movement — whether it's a bike ride, a backyard game, or a walk — helps regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
Set real limits on screen time. Passive screen consumption can interfere with sleep, social development, and attention. Dr. Huston encouraged parents to be intentional about when and how screens are used, rather than relying on blanket restrictions that are hard to enforce.
Protect sleep. Summer schedules often drift later — and for children, that matters more than most parents realize. Consistent sleep and wake times support emotional regulation, learning, and overall mental health.
Nourish the body to support the mind. Diet affects mood and focus more than we often acknowledge. Balanced nutrition during the summer months is part of keeping kids mentally resilient.
Grow Your Gratitude. Dr. Huston highlighted the Grow Your Gratitude program from Nationwide Children's Hospital's On Our Sleeves initiative as a simple, family-friendly tool for building emotional wellness habits over the summer.
About COPBH's Community Education Work
At COPBH, we believe mental health literacy is a community responsibility. Dr. Huston and our clinicians are available for media interviews, school presentations, parent workshops, and community speaking engagements. Our goal is simple: the more Central Ohio families understand about children's mental health, the better equipped they are to support the kids in their lives — whether or not they ever become our patients.
Interested in having a COPBH clinician speak at your school, organization, or event? Contact us today →