<body><div>Submitted by Allison Behnke, Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services(October 28, 2024) — We are all becoming increasingly aware of the impact of the Digital Age on the mental health of today’s youth. The news, research studies, and experts are highlighting the importance of understanding the current youth mental health crisis to take steps together as families, schools, and communities. Conversations are being help on the local, state-wide, and national level to address our kids’ decline in mental health and develop strategies for their well-being.The 2023 Youth Voices Count Survey helps us understand Haddam-Killingworth High School students in grades 9-12 who completed the survey.<ul><li>1% of surveyed HKHS youth reported having anxiety in the past year “always” or “almost always”</li><li>2% of surveyed HKHS youth reported feeling sad or hopeless so much that it stopped them from doing usual activities two or more weeks in a row.</li><li>More than 35% of surveyed HKHS youth reported having a hard time stopping constant social media use.</li></ul><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1xdreA_0wPzlnwZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1xdreA_0wPzlnwZ00" width="270" height="350" ></figure>Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services is partnering with Regional School District 17, school administrators and mental health professionals to host a screening of the film “Screenagers Next Chapter: Addressing Mental Health in the Digital Age.” This nationally award-winning film addresses the issue that millions of young people are experiencing high stress, anxiety and depression. It helps viewers understand the challenges in our current screen-filled society, and how parents and schools empower youth to overcome mental health challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy and stress resilience.Dr. Alicia Farrell, nationally recognized clinical psychologist, says, “Parents face powerful competition raising their children. There’s the toxic, bottomless pit of social media that children often lean on for guidance, in place of their parents. There are the dysfunctional societal norms that impress upon children and parents that anything less than perfect performance will result in failure. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. No wonder parents feel helpless, and kids are anxious and depressed. The good news is that there is so much that parents can do differently to reclaim their role and and navigate parenting in this crazy, mixed-up world. First, they need solutions and I think we actually have them. Second, they need courage to think for themselves and apply these solutions. Both require a boots- on-the-ground mentality where change happens in neighborhoods and communities. We can’t rely on others to take on that responsibility. It is ours!”Following the screening, a panel of HKYFS staff, local experts and Principals from grades K-12 will be available to answer questions and facilitate conversation. We will be offering resources and future opportunities to learn more and take action to help HK youth.“Screenagers” is appropriate for parents of children of all ages. The earlier we understand what has happened and can develop family and community strategies, the earlier we can work together to strategize individual and community wide change.Eric Larson, Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate School Principal says, &nbsp;“As you know, I feel a special obligation to parents of nine- through eleven-year-olds who are considering allowing students access to social media, online gaming and mobile devices.&nbsp; Our kids are growing up very fast.&nbsp; In my mind, too fast.&nbsp; Electronic media, unless it is carefully curated, adds to the pressure of our kids to grow up.&nbsp; Not only can it expose children to content most of us would rather they not find out about so early, it also exacerbates the stresses and fears that they may already be feeling.&nbsp; These tools are like knives or the stove – at the right age and with proper instruction, they can be very useful – but at the wrong age, or unsupervised, they can supercharge the consequences of a bad decision.&nbsp; There is a right time for those tools, but in my mind, it is not at this age”&nbsp; Mr. Larson, along with staff and administrators from all grades at RSD17, encourage community participation.The film is recommended for children eleven and up to watch with their parent/caregiver. A snack will be provided before the show, as well as childcare offered for anyone with younger children who needs it.Date: November 13, 2024 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.Location: HKIMS Auditorium, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.For more information and to register for childcare, visit www.hkyfs.org/event/Community SurveyUnderstanding the needs of Haddam-Killingworth youth and families is extremely important. HKYFS is asking you to take a moment to complete a Community Survey addressing issues affecting youth today, as well as resources and programs that are meaningful to our community. Please visit www.hkyfs.org to complete this very short anonymous survey.</div></body>

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HKYFS Hosts Community Program on “Screenagers” November 13th

Submitted by Allison Behnke, Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services. (October 28, 2024) — We are all becoming increasingly aware of the impact of the Digital Age on the mental health of today’s youth. The news, research studies, and experts are highlighting the importance of understanding the current youth mental health crisis to take steps together as families, schools, and communities. Conversations are being help on the local, state-wide, and national level to address our kids’ decline in mental health and develop strategies for their well-being.