Four steps we can take to improve mental health, especially among youth
I'm constantly reminded that the world they are growing up in is very different than the world in which I grew up. In the 1980s and 90s, we didn't have 24/7 visuals on what our peers were doing and algorithms designed to keep us scrolling.
I have followed the many headlines about the growing youth mental health crisis. And it strikes me: the problem is not our teens. The problem is the conditions in which they are growing up. As Dr. Lisa Damour reminds us, teens are not fragile or damaged; it's normal to have intense emotions that go up and down, and the single most powerful force in teen mental health is strong relationships with caring adults.
More: Lindner Center of Hope $38 million building to expand mental health treatment | Going Up
As we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, I am thinking of the steps each one of us can take to improve mental health and well-being in our community − and especially among youth.
Here are some things we all can do:
Practice ASK (Acknowledge, Support, and Keep in touch) with people in your life who may be struggling with their mental health.
Encourage social connection − join a group that gathers regularly around a hobby, fitness, community service, or professional interest.
Strengthen safe and supportive spaces for youth by being a safe, trusted adult. Lean into curiosity and empathy.
Improve your conversational skills by talking to youth about emotions with resources at Sound It Out Together
More: Ohio Senate votes to ban students from using phones during school hours
Recently, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) held a virtual conversation with Jonathan Haidt, author of the best-selling book "Anxious Generation." With powerful data and stories, he reminded us that "we are overprotecting our children in the real world while underprotecting them online." And he encouraged the Cincinnati community to join other cities nationally in building four new norms that create a healthier foundation for childhood in the digital age:
No phones in school all day. Many local schools are grappling with cell phone policies. At Cincinnati Country Day, an "away all day" policy has made a positive impact, and even students like it. This type of policy is backed by evidence: 60% of students report spending at least 10% of class time on their phones.
No smartphones until high school. While admittedly hard, this gets easier as more families align in setting a new norm. Safe-tech phones that offer calling, texting, and apps without internet access are a good option for middle school years.
No social media until age 16. Research supports aligning children's access to technology with their developmental growth. Experts recommend waiting until 16, when impulse control and emotional regulation have progressed.
Give kids more freedom to play without supervision. Allowing more independence and responsibility, like walking home from school or making the family dinner, brings kids joy and builds confidence.
This month, I'm reflecting on the ways I can better show up for my kids and for kids in our community − and especially how I can help build better connections and experiences in real life (or IRL, as they would say). We all have a role to play in establishing new norms that provide a better childhood and a brighter future for our youth. I invite you to be part of this movement. Our kids deserve it.
Kate Schroder is president and CEO of Interact for Health. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you are not alone. Call or text the 988-suicide crisis hotline.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Establishing new norms for kids is key to good mental health | Opinion
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