Parents, Teachers, Primary Care and Mental Health practitioners, and even Law Enforcement agencies are coming face-to-face with a mental health crisis impacting adolescents in our communities. Young people are demonstrating an increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm and in some cases suicidal ideation. The onset of the pandemic and subsequent quarantine exacerbated young people’s feelings of loneliness. The omnipresent impact of “always on” technology has led to sleep deprivation, identified as a critical for developing teens. Recent Pew research observes, “dramatic shifts in youth behaviors, attitudes and lifestyles – both positive and concerning – for those who are coming of age in this era.” The Mayo Clinic reports that the unmonitored adolescent screen time of poor-quality programming contributes to obesity, behavioral problems, delays in language and social skills development, attention problems, less time learning and even violence. But is technology the only factor fueling this crisis?  What About Our Kids? will ask a diverse group of 8th – 10th graders how they are coping with the fallout from the pandemic, elements like active shooter drills in schools, and interactions with popular, ubiquitous social media platforms.

 

How is the adolescent mental health crisis presenting in Delaware? Is the impact different among white, Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ youth?  Are our Schools, Emergency Rooms and Hospitals equipped to respond to mental health emergencies? What can be done? How can parents, caregivers, educators, and even our leaders help?

What About Our Kids? will utilize participating experts to offer information on the complex changes in brain and body that adolescents undergo. They will provide research on the impact of technology and social media, and they will share therapeutic responses that can help adults to help our kids navigate challenges of growing up in 2023+. Our goal is ever to provide accepted, useful, big-picture information contributed by qualified practitioners from our communities…offered to inform, inspire, and empower viewers.