399- Summer Series- Honoring the Individual: Parenting Kids Through Mental Health Struggles, with Kristina Kuzmic

Before we dive in: This episode includes a discussion of childhood mental health struggles and discusses suicidal ideation and self harm. Please take care while listening.

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is part of our summer series, Honoring the Individual. Over the next few months, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite conversations—episodes that remind us of a core truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting children.

Today I’m joined by Kristina Kuzmič for a powerful conversation about parenting through childhood depression, suicidal ideation, and the quiet moments that often get missed when kids look “fine” on the outside.

We talk about the difference between sadness and depression, why so many kids struggle silently, and how our instinct to control—while deeply human—can sometimes push connection further away. Kristina shares what it looked like to shift from trying to fix her son’s pain to becoming a steady, safe presence instead.

If you’ve ever felt scared, helpless, or unsure how to show up when your child is hurting, this conversation is for you.

And stay tuned later this summer—we have an exciting announcement that will make it easier than ever to move beyond generic advice and access support tailored to the individual child, student, or family you're supporting. Alright folks, let's dive in.

Connect with Kristina:

Instagram: ⁠@kristinakuzmic⁠

Website: ⁠https://kristinakuzmic.com/⁠

Order the book: ⁠I Can Fix This: And Other Lies I Told Myself While Parenting My Struggling Child⁠

Connect with us:

Instagram and TikTok: ⁠@seed.and.sew ⁠

Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: ⁠Take the Quiz⁠

Order ⁠Big Kids, Bigger Feelings⁠ now!

Website: ⁠seedandsew.org⁠

Credits:

Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell

Co-host: Rachel Lounder