Erin Tate, a licensed clinical social worker from Montana joins Jo-Ann and Candida for a compelling conversation. Erin shares insights from her private practice, Dragonfly Counseling, which is dedicated to serving communities in need, regardless of their ability to pay. The discussion highlights the increasing levels of anxiety among adolescents, exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on social development. They explore how anxiety often manifests in School environments, sometimes being mistaken for behavioral issues or lack of motivation.

The conversation also touches on the complexities of gender identity exploration in youth, particularly in rural areas like Montana, where resources and support may be limited. Erin emphasizes the importance of community and connection, both in navigating personal identity and coping with broader societal challenges.

Dragonfly Counseling

The Trevor Project

Human Rights Campaign

National Suicide Hotline

NAMI

988 Text Line

Show notes and links drafted by https://headliner.app and edited by a human.

Ellen Hallsworth, Director of Bradley REACH, joins Jo-Ann and Candida to discuss innovative approaches in Mental Health care for adolescents. Ellen shares insights into Bradley REACH's virtual partial hospitalization program, which has been remarkably successful in engaging adolescents in remote mental health treatment. Ellen delves into the unexpected success of virtual care during the pandemic and how it has evolved, including increased family involvement and the ability for clinicians to gain valuable insights by observing patients in their home environments.

The conversation explores the challenges and benefits of integrating Mental Health treatment with traditional schooling and the importance of collaboration between clinicians and schools to ensure students receive the support they need to transition back to school successfully.

Show notes drafted by https://headliner.app and were edited by a human.

REFERENCES

Bradley Hospital

Bradley REACH

Hasbro Children's Hospital

Harvard University

Northwestern University

Stanford University

Translational Issues in Psychological Science

Cartwheel Care

Hazel Health

Florida Virtual School

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💬 Show Notes

Dr. Willough Jenkins, child psychiatrist joins Jo-Ann Berry and Dr. Candida Fink to discuss the multifaceted challenges of Mental Health in School settings. Recorded live from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry conference in Seattle, this episode of Mental Health Goes to School dives deep into the intersection of digital technology and student well-being as well as cyberbullying and digital citizenship. The episode highlights the necessity of collaboration between schools and families to create safe digital environments.

Show notes created by https://headliner.app and edited by a human

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✍️ Episode References

Dr. Willough Jenkins

Website: https://www.willoughjenkins.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwilloughjenkins/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drwilloughjenkins?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4qze4Q6YYZfffAxodRULw

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

[AACAP]

University of California, San Diego

[UCSD]

World Health Organization

[WHO]

Wait Until 8th Movement

[Wait Until 8th]

Bark Phone

[Bark Technologies]

American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan

[AAP Family Media Plan]

Inspired by the film Inside Out 2 Jo-Ann and Candida discuss how anxiety manifests in adolescents and how it can be managed. They explore how anxiety, a natural part of adolescence, can become overwhelming, especially when linked to academic pressures like writing assignments. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing anxiety triggers and employing strategies such as movement breaks, sensory changes, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to manage these feelings.

Jo-Ann and Candida also highlight the value of context in managing anxiety, encouraging students to assess the real stakes of their worries and not let anxiety take over their joy. They discuss practical strategies such as creating an emotional first aid kit and recognizing early signs of anxiety to intervene effectively.

Join the conversation on our social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. We look forward to hearing from you!

Show notes drafted by https://headliner.app and edited by a human.

REFERENCES

Episode References

Inside Out 2

[Inside Out 2 on Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/inside-out-2)

New York Times article on turning around a bad day

[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Mental Health Goes to School

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Steve Locke is a New York-based artist and professor of art whom Candida and Jo-Ann have known since college. His work focuses on identity and asks the viewer to contemplate our shared history from another perspective. Our wide-ranging conversation covers the transition to college, how the pandemic has affected teaching and learning, art, life, and so much more. Steve is the recipient of many grants and awards. His show the fire next time is at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MassMOCA) through November 2025.

Mass MOCA

https://www.stevelocke.com/

https://www.instagram.com/svlocke/

https://linktr.ee/stevelocke

Steve Locke is a New York-based artist and professor of art whom Candida and Jo-Ann have known since college. His work focuses on identity and asks the viewer to contemplate our shared history from another perspective. Our wide-ranging conversation covers the transition to college, how the pandemic has affected teaching and learning, art, life, and so much more. Steve is the recipient of many grants and awards. His show the fire next time is at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MassMOCA) through November 2025.

Mass MOCA

https://www.stevelocke.com/

https://www.instagram.com/svlocke/

https://linktr.ee/stevelocke

Maria Barrera, Founder & CEO of Clayful tells us about how Clayful provides on demand online wellness coaching for students to help build resilience in real time. Maria leveraged her experience as a mechanical engineer, and as a founder of Nearpod, the online educational platform, to develop a system that addresses mental wellness through this school-supported platform. Clayful offers accessible, preventative mental health resources to families of all socio-economic statuses. Clayful’s diverse mental health workforce and partnerships with schools have already impacted thousands of students across the country.

##

https://www.clayfulhealth.com

Maria's LinkedIn - @Maria Barrera

Maria's X - @mariabarrera__

Clayful's LinkedIn - @Clayful

Clayful's X - @clayfulheath

Cell phone use by students in the classroom is a contentious issue. Join Jo-Ann Berry, a seasoned special educator, and Dr. Candida Fink, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, as they delve into this topic. In this episode of Mental Health Goes to School, they tackle the complexities surrounding students' use of mobile devices during school hours and its impact on learning and mental health.

From the potential benefits of digital accessibility for those with disabilities to the challenges posed by the constant allure of the screen, Jo-Ann and Candida explore the nuances of a world where online life is very much real life for many students. They discuss the difficulties of enforcing cell phone bans, the distractions that hinder educational engagement, and the importance of developing in-person social skills.

They consider the pros and cons of technology in the classroom, the implications for sleep and overall well-being, and the strategies families and educators can employ to navigate this digital landscape. They emphasize the need for collaboration, communication, and helping students exercise control over their digital consumption.

A candid conversation that doesn't shy away from the tough questions, this episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and mental health in our schools.

Resources and references discussed in the episode will be available in the show notes. As always, we welcome your feedback, questions, and stories at mentalhealthgoestoschool.com.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how we can support our children's growth in an ever-evolving digital world while setting boundaries that promote their best interests.

The Atlantic - End the Phone Based Childhood Now by Jonathan Haidt

The New Yorker Can We Get Kids Off Smartphones by Jessica Winter

Forbes Gen Z Hopeless or Helpful by Vicki Phillips

Education Week - Let’s Not Oversimplify Students’ Cell Phone Use by Larry Ferlazzo

Jonathan Haidt