The Ashley B. Cash Show
Inside West Texas's New Child Mental Health Model | Dr. Sarah Wakefield
In this episode of The Ashley B. Cash Show, Ashley sits down with Dr. Sarah Wakefield, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, for an in-depth conversation on children's mental health. Dr. Wakefield unpacks what it really means to be a pediatric psychiatrist, the role screens and isolation play in rising rates of anxiety and depression among kids, and how parents can model healthy boundaries around technology at home. The conversation turns to some sobering realities — including alarming statistics on youth suicide — and Dr. Wakefield offers clear guidance for parents on how to recognize warning signs, when a comment from a child should raise concern, and how to respond without over- or under-reacting. Ashley and Dr. Wakefield then dive into the groundbreaking work being done in West Texas: the TCHAT program bringing telehealth psychiatric care directly into schools, the new outpatient day treatment program at the Covenant Relational Health Center, and the region's first academic inpatient psychiatric unit for children, designed to keep families involved every step of the way. They close with a powerful discussion on building a true continuum of care — and how every parent, teacher, and community member has a role to play in supporting children's mental health. If you're a parent, educator, or anyone who cares about the wellbeing of the next generation, this is a conversation full of hard truths, hope, and practical guidance. https://www.providence.org/locations/covenant-health/childrens-hospital/relational-health-center https://tcmhcc.utsystem.edu/tchatt/ This episode discusses youth suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. About The Ashley B. Cash Show: The Ashley B. Cash Show features conversations with education leaders, policy experts, parents, teachers and reform advocates who are working to transform K-12 education. Host Ashley B. Cash brings her perspective as both a parent and business owner to explore systemic education issues and practical solutions for creating better outcomes for students, families, and communities. About Ashley: As both a mother and business owner, Ashley brings a unique dual perspective to education reform advocacy, driven by her desire for better educational outcomes for future generations and informed by her firsthand experience with the skills gap facing employers today. Her passion for transforming K-12 education stems from witnessing the real-world consequences of educational failures and recognizing the critical need for a system that prepares students for diverse career pathways, not just college. Through this podcast, Ashley champions solutions including aptitude-based education tracks, expanded school choice, practical skills integration, and alternative career pathways that align with students' individual strengths and interests. Follow @AshleyBCashOfficial on Instagram & @Ashley Bowes Cash on Facebook. Visit www.AshleyBCashOfficial.com for more content and features.
