In Depth Research Finds California Teens Struggling with Social Isolation and Screen Saturation
LOS ANGELES : Surveys show that adolescents in particular are struggling with the mental health effects of the isolation and stress of a pandemic.
The California Partners Project partnered with the Child Mind Institute to take a deep look at how life is being experienced by teens coping with loss, social isolation, and screen saturation. Adolescents report they are processing something akin to grief. They describe headaches, poor sleep, minimal physical activity, and exhaustion. In the absence of friends, sports, and other in-person activities that normally filled their days before the coronavirus, adolescents have turned to social media and gaming in order to meet their social needs. They report feeling the consequences of being "addicted" to their phones and social media — but believe these problems are too mild to warrant a change in behavior or conversation with their parents.
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, ACHT, ACSW and President and CEO at Parents Anonymous® says, "The findings within this study are extremely beneficial as it gives parents, caregivers and organizations like ours, a deeper look at what is happening beneath the surface. This will help us to better support our youth and navigate the healthiest possible response to the loss and changes that have come along with the pandemic."
Parents Anonymous® Inc. launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline in partnership with Governor Gavin Newsom as part of his initiative to address the impacts of COVID-19.
"Teens are more hesitant to ask for help when they are suffering emotionally; but having the courage to seek help is an essential life skill. As much as it is our role to teach our children to think and act independently, it is also our duty to teach them to accept assistance."
A few ways to teach our teens that it's OK to ask for help:
• ACCEPT that everybody needs help sometimes, including you!
• SHARE a story with your child about a time you needed help in your life.
• RESPOND positively when a young person asks you for help.
• ENCOURAGE our youth to seek professional help when they need it.
Parents Anonymous® is encouraging the people of California to take advantage of their California Parents & Youth Helpline. The California Parents & Youth Helpline operates 7 days a week from 8:00AM-8:00PM PST.
