Calendar

Stretched out: Nancy Bloemer, a yoga instructor for 20 years, will lead a five-week yoga session beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Thomas More College in Edgewood. Cost: $50. Information: (859) 344-3333.

Drug choice: Mercy Franciscan at West Park, 2850 West Park Drive in Western Hills, will hold a free program on prescription drug cards at 2 p.m. Aug. 11. Information: 451-8900 or www.e-mercy.com.

Stay safe: Mercy St. Theresa Center, 7010 Rowan Hill Drive, Mariemont, will hold a free program on preventing falls at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13. Information: 271-7010 or www.e-mercy.com.

For parents: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Junior League of Cincinnati will offer a free program on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 7800 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. Information: 871-9339.

Research

Father knows: A father in good mental health can substantially cut the negative effects of a mother's poor mental health on a child's behavioral and emotional well-being, say researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

The study, published in the August issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, shows that the degree of a mother's influence on a child's well-being depends on the father's mental health.

If both parents are depressed, a child's risk of developing behavioral or emotional problems is eight times higher, says Dr. Robert S. Kahn, the study's lead author.

The risk is "less elevated" if only the mother reported poorer mental health and not elevated at all if only the father reported poorer mental health, Kahn says.

Researchers reviewed data on families of more than 800 children ages 3 to 12 who lived with both parents.

Researchers also found that boys are especially affected when both parents have poor mental health.

Help wanted

Drug study: Researchers at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center are recruiting children ages 6 to 17 to study the safety and effectiveness of the antidepressant sertraline in treating post-traumatic stress disorder in children.

Children undergoing recurring trauma or those who have been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder do not qualify. Information: 558-0923.

Siting

Wind down: Visit wellness.uwsp.edu/Health_Service/Services/ stress.htm for free screenings to determine what's stressing you out and what to do about it.

On screen

Right moves: Gaiam Easy Pilates ($15 on DVD or VHS) demonstrates the basic principles and movements of Pilates. Find it at www.gaiam.com or retailers nationwide.

Shelf help

Skin deep: Breaking Out (Fireside; $13) looks at the causes and treatment options for adult acne.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com