Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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Parenting is tough these days. Today’s youths are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety, leading to disorders, poor health, low academic engagement, substance use, thoughts of suicide, and violence. The U.S. surgeon general has declared that the country is in a youth mental health crisis.
Research reveals the critical role that school support plays in improving students’ mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that students who experience “school connectedness” (a sense of being cared for, supported and belonging at school) are less likely to experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Several surveys show that 80% of students and parents rely on mental health resources from their school.
Teachers, administrators and youth-serving professionals may not be able to tackle these challenges head-on, but they can find ways to support the youths they serve by partnering with outside organizations. For instance, ParentGuidance.org is a service for parents who are seeking answers to tough questions and ways to form a deeper connection with their children. Through a partnership with the Clark County School District, this service is now available to local families at no charge.
A variety of stressors
In the age of information, it’s easier than ever to connect with others. Yet many people feel more isolated than ever. This feeling is even more prevalent for students facing the stress of entering a new environment. Feelings of isolation are common as students begin middle school or high school.
Globally, 13% of adolescents (1 in 7) experience mental health challenges. There are many elements that shape youth mental health, including biological, environmental and societal factors. Bullying and rejection in either physical or virtual environments can affect the way students perceive themselves.
One of the most common questions I get from parents of middle and high school students is whether their dependency on technology is something to watch out for. CDC research shows that anxiety and depression have increased in kids and teens over time, and experts connect this increase to extensive technology use. Kids spend around seven and a half hours on their phones every day. Research from a San Diego State University professor revealed that kids who spend more than five hours a day online are more likely to have at least one suicide risk factor, such as depression.
In the same way that bullying, discrimination and isolation at school can affect students’ mental health, online behaviors can lead to feelings of rejection. A lack of “likes” or comments on their social media posts can breed concerns about being disliked or not measuring up to their peers, and online bullying takes an additional toll by making users feel like they don’t belong in a group. Replacing excessive screen time with activities like reading or exercising is a healthy way to disconnect from the social pressures that exist online. It’s also important for adolescents to get at least eight to nine hours of sleep every night.
ParentGuidance.org therapists have found that 50% of parents worry their child is struggling and 32% of parents feel their child is unhappy, but they don’t know what to do. When parents have the resources to cultivate a safe and understanding environment at home, adolescents are more likely to feel comfortable asking for support and guidance instead of withdrawing and feeling more isolated.
Help for parents
In many cases, parents don’t have the resources to help their children navigate the challenges they face in a modern school and online environment. ParentGuidance.org provides a variety of resources to help parents address worries about their children. The Clark County School District has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to provide parent coaching, mental health webinars, and professional development at no cost. Parents can sign up for the program to gain access to these services, including:
• One-on-one parent coaching: Coaching is provided by mental health professionals and is individualized for families based on their needs. Parents can get their questions answered through anytime messaging, weekly video calls and other tools.
• Live family mental health series webinars: Families are encouraged to attend Family Mental Health Webinar Nights either independently or with the school community. Webinars are hosted by trained professionals and include topics like bullying, suicide prevention, relationship coaching, and social media and electronic device usage.
• Online, on-demand lessons: Parents can access a library of courses developed and taught by licensed therapists.
ParentGuidance.org isn’t designed to replace therapy. It enables schools to support students more effectively and helps parents build meaningful connections with their children. When relationships with adolescents are built on communication and trust, kids are more likely to listen to what their parents are saying.
Anne Brown, president and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection, provides an excellent description of how ParentGuidance.org helps adolescents: “A parent can be any person who loves, cares for and is responsible for the well-being of a child. ParentGuidance.org is a critical tool to help families be the first line of support for their children. By providing education, resources and direct support to families, we are helping the people who love and care for their children most, the parents. By providing courses from licensed therapists, weekly mental health education seminars, and one-to-one direct parent coaching, we help parents be the first line of support for their children. We are extremely proud to be partnering with a school district of distinction like Clark County School District, which is showing it truly cares about the role of parents in their children’s well-being.”
Parenting is challenging, but ParentGuidance.org is here to provide assistance to any parent at no cost. We look forward to supporting families in building a stronger relationship with their child, connecting parents with a wellness coach, and seeing families at our next Family Night. To sign up for the ParentGuidance.org program, families can simply contact their child’s school or connect through the school’s intranet.
Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, EMDR, CSAT-S, is the clinical director at ParentGuidance.org.
