Boosting Student Well-Being: Why Schools and Mental Health Experts Urge Parents to Get Involved with Social Media

Boosting Parental Involvement in Student Mental Health

The Clarke County School District recently hosted a Mental Health Town Hall at Clarke Middle School. Local mental health experts and staff gathered to discuss the urgent need for parents to engage more in their children’s well-being, particularly concerning issues related to social media.

Fran Thompson, a mental wellness specialist for CCSD, emphasized how the rapid growth of social media has created challenges for parents. “We need to set boundaries and provide guidance for our kids online,” she stated. Many parents are unsure of how to regulate their children’s internet use, leading to negative impacts on mental health.

Tessa Barbazon, the executive director of Student and Family Support, opened the discussion by asking about the effects of social media on adolescents. Kizzy Wingfield, a mental health counselor at Cedar Shoals High School, shared findings that highlight concerning trends. “There’s been a noticeable rise in anxiety and a drop in self-esteem among students due to their social media interactions,” she said.

Claudia Ravenell, a licensed clinical social worker, stressed the importance of communication. “Parents should talk regularly with their children about safe online practices,” she urged. She underscored that understanding what is acceptable online is vital for children’s mental health.

Thompson noted that families today often use social media but may overlook the need to limit screen time for younger children. Plans are in place to hold another Mental Health Town Hall in the fall, focusing solely on social media’s impact.

The panelists were united in their belief that increased parental engagement is crucial. However, they acknowledged the challenges many parents face, such as language barriers, time constraints, and a lack of awareness about available resources. Thompson pointed out that Clarke County has lower levels of parental involvement compared to other areas, possibly due to the pressures parents face.

To combat this stigma around mental health, CCSD is making efforts to broaden awareness and invite more parental participation. The recent Free Your Feels Teen Summit included a Caregiver Café, allowing parents to discuss their children’s mental health issues in a supportive environment.

“It can be difficult to engage parents,” Thompson noted. “There’s a misconception that a child’s struggles reflect a parent’s failure, which is just not true.” By fostering open conversations, schools and parents can work together for the benefit of students’ mental health.

This ongoing dialogue is essential as the landscape of adolescent challenges continues to evolve. Recent studies indicate that 59% of teenagers feel anxious due to social media, underlining the need for proactive measures by parents and schools alike.

By building strong partnerships and maintaining open lines of communication, parents can better support their children in navigating the complexities of modern life.

For more insights, you can visit the CDC’s Mental Health page for valuable resources and information.

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