Student Mental Health

Dear Parents of Holly Area Schools,

At Holly Area Schools, we are committed to providing a world-class education that helps prepare our Bronchos for success. As I share this third communication in a series focusing on the health and wellness of our students, I want to thank our Broncho parents for all the positive feedback they have provided about our new informational series.

Earlier this week, I shared a link to the Brookings Institution webinar titled The Negative Impact of Social Media and Smartphones on Children’s Mental Health. I highly encourage all Broncho parents to listen to a recording of the webinar included below:

You can also access the recording using the following link:  The Negative Impact of Social Media and Smartphones on Children's Mental Health.  To hear the relevant information about this important issue, you will want to start the video at 1:12 (1 minute and 12 seconds).

The webinar discusses how the proliferation of social media and smartphones has contributed to a mental health crisis among our youth. Children increasingly spend many hours a day scrolling through video shorts on platforms like TikTok. This is particularly concerning with youth depression rates, bullying, attention problems, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, suicide and other mental health issues on the rise. Despite these alarming trends, there are no regulations on social media or smartphone use for children in the United States.

In the webinar, Professor Jonathan Haidt from the New York University Stern School of Business discusses the negative effects of social media and smartphones on our children and potential solutions that involve parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments. Professor Haidt, one of the world’s leading social psychologists and experts on the impact of social media and smartphones on children, pointed out the decline of the “play-based childhood” over the past several years. He points out a sharp reduction in children’s access to unsupervised outdoor free play. 

Ironically, he states we are “over protecting” our youth in the real world while “under protecting” them in the virtual world.

The charts below outline trends since 2010, when smartphones were made widely available loaded with social media platforms, high-speed internet access and unlimited data plans.

On a related note, I would like to express my appreciation to our Holly Area Schools Board for the action they took at Monday’s School Board Meeting.  Our Board passed a resolution to join the nationwide litigation against Social Media Platforms. The lawsuit asserts that social media companies target minors to maximize profits despite knowing the severe detrimental effects of excessive social media use.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important message. Our collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for your continued support, and I welcome your feedback on this issue so critical to the success of our Bronchos.

Sincerely,

Dear Parents and Students of Holly Area Schools,

At Holly Area Schools, the health, safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. Today I’m providing the second in a series of communications focusing on the health of our students.

Today’s message focuses on growing health concerns about use of nicotine and THC (active ingredient in cannabis) vaping devices by youth. Vaping continues to grow in popularity among young people, and students are often attracted by its enticing flavors, sleek device designs, and the false belief that it’s “just water vapor.”

In addition to posing numerous health risks, consequences for using and/or distributing vape devices and THC products include violations of the student code of conduct subject to severe disciplinary actions in accordance with our district’s policies, including suspension and possible expulsion.

The long-term effects of vaping on the developing bodies and brains of adolescents are particularly concerning.

Recent research from Johns Hopkins University found users of vaping devices are exposed to potentially dangerous levels of metals like lead, nickel, manganese, and chromium, in addition to nicotine and other harmful chemicals. These metals are inhaled through vaping devices and can lead to serious health problems such as respiratory distress, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and neurological damage.

An American Heart Association study found that vaping nicotine and THC is linked to increased reports of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens and young adults. In a survey of over 2,500 individuals ages 13-24, users of nicotine-only, THC-only, and both substances reported higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to non-vapers. Dual users, in particular, showed a significant likelihood of addiction to nicotine and a tendency to vape to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Recent studies have also highlighted the alarming impact of high-potency cannabis products on the physical health, mental health and cognitive development of young people. With THC levels close to 100%, today’s cannabis products are making some teenagers highly dependent and dangerously ill, including growing cases of youth psychosis, addiction, chronic vomiting and more.

As a district, we are increasing awareness and identifying educational initiatives to help inform our students about these and other dangers of vaping. The following resources provide helpful tools to combat vaping addition:

1. Initiative: (https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting)

• • A free mobile program designed specifically for teens and young adults to quit vaping. Includes personalized support and advice through text messages tailored to the user's age and type of product they use.
     

1. Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens:( teens.drugabuse.gov )

• • Offers a wealth of information on the dangers of vaping and tobacco, along with interactive tools and drug facts that can help teens understand the risks of vaping and how to seek help.
     

1. Teen: ( teen.smokefree.gov )

• • Provides tools, tips, and resources designed to help teenagers understand the health risks of vaping and explore various methods and strategies to quit vaping.
     

1. Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• A confidential and free 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

I urge our parents to engage in open and honest conversations with your children about the risks associated with vaping. To our students, I strongly encourage you to think critically about the decisions you make and their long-term impact on your health and well-being.

Working together, we can help curb vaping in our schools and protect the health of our Bronchos. Our collective effort can make a significant difference in the lives of our students as they chart their individual journeys toward success, rewarding careers and bright futures.

Sincerely,

Dear Parents and Students of Holly Area Schools,

At Holly Area Schools, we are committed to providing a world-class education that helps prepare our Bronchos for success. I’m reaching out to start a dialogue with our families about the impact smartphones have on student mental health, social behavior, and academic performance.

Smartphones have become a central part of our lives, offering unparalleled access to information, communication, and entertainment. However, the unintended consequences of their pervasive use among our children and teenagers cannot be overlooked.

This communication is the first in a series I’ll be sharing with you focused on youth mental health. Recent findings, including those detailed in the video, “Eye-opening look at the hold smartphones have on kids”, highlight the urgent need for awareness on this issue.

The video brings to light several critical concerns:

• Extensive Usage: Many children use their smartphones excessively, even during school hours and late into the night. This affects both their sleep patterns and their ability to concentrate and perform academically.

• Impact on Mental Health: The compulsive use of smartphones and exposure to social media can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. This may contribute to a sense of isolation and inadequacy among our youth.

We urge parents to engage with their children on this topic and set a positive example that encourages moderation and balance. Follow this link to learn about some of the best parental control apps to monitor smartphone use at home.

Here are a few questions to get our collective conversation started:    

How much time does your child/teen spend on their device daily?

Researchers have found that smartphones have become a “constant companion” for young people spending a median of 4.5 hours per day on their phones, with the maximum amount of time reaching 16 hours.

Does your child/teen use their smartphone during late-night hours, especially between midnight and 5 a.m.?

As partners with our parents, we care about our students’ mental health, academic performance, and social skills. Working together, we can help ensure our children can harness the benefits of technology without falling prey to its pitfalls. We believe that through education, understanding, and cooperation, we can guide our youth toward a more balanced and healthy digital life.

Sincerely,