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As children soon return to school, parents, educators and communities are concerned about some of the mental health challenges facing our youth today. This is not only a pre-pandemic crisis, but one that has only been exacerbated by anxiety. Covid-19, distance learning and mask protocols, but also current events, social media and a polarized political climate. We sat down with Nicole Stetter, PhD, LMFT and Director of Behavioral Health at Blue Shield of California to get some answers to some commonly asked questions about youth mental health.
Q: Transitions are always hard, including going back to school after summer. What advice would you give?

Dr. Nicole Stater
nts and caregivers to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety – for their children and themselves?
A: The first day of school does not have to be “Day 1” to restart back-to-school routines. Restart a week earlier to allow more time to fix and fix issues. More importantly: Speak up! Ask your children questions about their feelings, hopes, and fears. Empathize, don’t belittle. What may seem like a minor concern to parents can be a big deal to them. Finally, look for resources from the school/district/Parent Teacher Association (PTA) so that you and your children are aware of current back-to-school information, policies and protocols.
Q: As of 2010 National Education AssociationCovid-19 has not caused a mental health crisis among young people, but it has exacerbated the problem for both students and teachers. Furthermore, school gun violence has re-emerged as an issue that cannot be ignored. As students return to school for the second year in a row, what youth mental health issues should we all be thinking about?
A: If your child doesn’t talk about mental health challenges, don’t assume he or she won’t be hurt, especially by the negative effects of the news and social media. Depression, anxiety, social isolation and perfectionism can live underground. Some children do not want to worry their parents when there is tension at home; Some may not know the right words to describe themselves; And some may not feel comfortable picking it up but would welcome the opportunity to open it if someone asks.
Q: California ranked first in the nation this month for: a Restrictions on the composition of statewide law on the first periods of the first schools For teenagers. How important is good sleep to young people’s mental health? What are some tips for parents and caregivers to encourage good sleep habits?
A: Sleep is important to provide rest and rejuvenation, both physically and mentally. Our children need more sleep because they are growing; Physically, intellectually and emotionally. Lack of sleep makes young people—and everyone—less resilient to stress and more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. To encourage good sleep habits, it’s important to have a bedtime or bedtime routine. Electronics and screens can throw off your body’s biological clock, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, so try to get away from screens earlier in your bedtime routine. Another good reason to disconnect from electronics is that some content on social media and the news can disrupt sleep. As nicotine can be a stimulant, it is important to exercise regularly, limit caffeinated beverages and avoid smoking/vaping.
Q: The CDC recently released the results of a survey of high school students. More threat to their mental health During the Covid-19 pandemic, including job loss among parents, experiences of racism and increased rates of domestic abuse. What resources can parents, teachers, and students turn to to support youth mental health?
A: It’s known as our youth mental health initiative Blue sky It has many valuable resources. I also recommend the following organizations, all supported by BlueSky:
Q: The increasing incidence of negative mental health among children poses significant challenges. Parents. How can communities, employers and the health system better support parents?
A: For communitiesSupport your children’s schools, teachers and staff. Many strive to provide services and support, but they are often not fully funded or prioritized. Attend school board meetings and make your voice heard that youth mental health and teacher/staff support is a priority for you, your children and your community!
For employersPrioritize creating psychologically healthy workplaces that emphasize work/life balance and self-care. Review mental health, substance abuse, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits. Communicate regularly with employees so they know how their benefits work, including where to call to get care, what costs to expect (eg, co-pays) and whether using these benefits is confidential.
For health systemsSupport mental health/substance abuse professionals, pay them effectively, and support their training to eliminate the shortage of clinics to provide care to our youth and families. Communicate frequently with members/patients about mental health/substance abuse services.
At Blue Shield of California, we are working to review and improve our “end-to-end” approach to building a network of providers and partnerships that will help us serve more Californians with their mental health/substance abuse needs. We also offer a variety of services to our members. Evolution Platform, including Ginger and Headspace – two digital health apps that offer tools to help users manage anxiety, depression, sleep problems and other mental health challenges.
Q: Are there positive developments among young people that make them optimistic about the future of mental health?
A: Yes! Since the beginning of the epidemic, significant work has been done to reduce mental health and substance use challenges – especially for young people. There are bold examples from celebrities who have gone on like pop singer Shawn Mendes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and many others. By sharing their experiences, our young people show that not only is it okay to have these feelings, but that they can talk about them and get the help and support they need to feel better.
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