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The insight

A week ago my 9-year old son said: "We NEVER do anything fun together!"

Well, he actually shouted it during a bout of anger about bedtime.

For the most part I'm ok with my role of the chaos preventer at home (I'm the parent in charge of boring things like healthy food and homework), but on that day I realized that being the "no fun" parent sucks.

Not wanting to be branded forever as the "joy killer", on Sunday I decided to take the pressure off my family about Mother's Day and do something silly together.

And so while other moms enjoyed some well deserved pampering, I spent a few hours playing mini-golf, racing games and air hockey with my kids in an arcade. On this Mother's Day I wasn't just a mom, I was one of the kids and I was fun!

Spring is a tough time to be around kids. The school and sports demands, routines and the added discomforts of seasonal allergies, can make kids (and adults) moody and anxious.

But like every season, this time of year is predictable and so are its mental health demands. It's possible to create a marketing plan for targeting seasonal issues like these and create additional services to attract clients who need them.

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The News

For example, The Indiana University Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences, decided to acknowledge the stress students feel during finals and came up with a mental health week to address this problem. Named College Care Week, it offered different programs focusing on mental health during a high pressure time. Activities like dog petting, letter writing and even playing video gamed together gave students the mental rest they needed before the finals.

But besides the pressures of academic studies, college athletes often feel the mental health burden of excessive training and success mindset. For some the pressures of training and high-level performance can cause anxiety, depression and even suicide. At least five college athletes took their lives in March and April.

And as the problem of "supply and demand" for mental healthcare continues, one former graduate decided to come up with a technology solution to cope with college anxiety and depression. Meet MARCo, a cozy robot who'll be able to provide companionship and therapy through interaction.

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The Trends

In recent interview with the LA Times, the sociologist Andrew Scull talked about mental health being a societal issue, not strictly biological.

In an attempt to meet the societal needs, Alexandria, VA started to pair its police officers with mental health professionals. So far 71% of potential arrests were diverted to other services.

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The Takeaway

In private practice, 1-on-1 therapy sessions are your main service. Often, not promoted in a relationship to environmental seasons or societal changes, this service may miss an audience that can provide additional seasonal revenue.

Therapy services can be "packaged" and marketed seasonally. These services can address an acute need that is being experienced during a specific time of year.

It can also help you attract clients for a prolonged period. College students that turn to therapy because of pressure they feel during finals might stay in therapy during the summer and fall as well.

That's it for this week's brief.

Keep growing,

Avivit