Kathleen Mackenzie Ed.D., MSW, LICSW, CIMHP
Could Sleep Help End the Youth Mental Health Crisis?
Kids aren't getting enough sleep—and their mental health is suffering.
The level of sleep deprivation among youth may be more significant than previously realized.
Sleep deprivation has been linked to increased suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and death by suicide.
Restoring sleep duration and sleep quality among youth has been proven to greatly reduce mental health symptoms and improve functioning.
Sustained effort and systemic change will also be needed to fully restore youth mental health.
Dr. Kathleen Mackenzie Ed.D., MSW, LICSW, CIMHP, is featured in Pshyscology Today with a recent study on sleep deprivation amongst middle and high school students and how it affects their mental health. Read more here.
Protecting Your Kids on Social Media and Video Games
Recently on YouTube and YouTube Kids, tips about a method of suicide have been appearing in children’s cartoons. It’s recently been referred to as the “Moma Challenge”. Several other videos with inappropriate content have also been flagged on YouTube Kids. We want to take this opportunity to remind parents how important it is to monitor what your children are watching. Just because the word “kids” is in the name of a service, doesn’t mean that all of the offerings it provides are for your children to see.
The American Association of Suicidology’s toolkit for parents about helping children navigate social media. To see the toolkit click here
13 Reasons Why
Netflix launched 13 Reasons Why (13RY), a TV series based on a popular novel of the same name. The fictional story is cautionary tale of a young girl’s suicide, and covers other sensitive subject matter as the series progresses. We have not wanted to raise awareness of the this new Netflix series however we feel it’s important for parents and school officials to be prepared to speak with students or teens who have or are watching this show.
In response to the series, JED and SAVE developed talking points to assist parents, teachers, and other gatekeepers in talking to youth about suicide as it relates to the situational drama that unfolds in this series.
13 Reasons Why: Talking Points
13 Reasons Why: Talking Points (Spanish)