Alex Allin co-leads a session at Mental Health America’s annual conference in June 2023.What’s Allin’s take? “I thought the toolkit was really detailed and brought light to a lot of issues that I think students might not realize in themselves are a problem, like how social media really impacts a person’s body image and is an addiction,” he says. “Some of the tips that resonated with me were those that told youth to focus on meaningful conversations and connections, just focusing on the people who matter in their life.”
More impactful together
“This isn’t just an urgent need, it is a health crisis in our society today,” said Holly May, executive vice president and global chief human resources officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. “We know the impact that social media and the latest technologies can have on the overall mental health of children and adolescents. We’re proud to work with MHA as a longtime partner on this critically important work, and to help support the young people in our lives to navigate these spaces in a healthy way.”
Adults can find tips in the toolkit on how to help protect teens’ mental health online, as well as research explaining how youth online behavior, including unhealthy comparison, affects emotional and social development. While parents of teenagers make up the largest audience of the toolkit, the content is also a helpful resource for teachers, school personnel and caregivers.
“It’s important for parents and teachers to work together so there’s a unified approach in helping a student feel supported from all angles,” says Danielle Fritze, vice president of public education and design at MHA.
For young people, their school years have been greatly impacted by virtual learning and lack of in-person connection due to COVID-19. With this reality in mind, the toolkit contains a more encouraging take with social media “do’s” instead of “don’ts” for staying safe in virtual settings. Allin appreciates the positive messaging, including the advice to try and reduce your time on social media, not just stop completely.
“It’s important for kids to have access to these materials because it’s inevitable that they’re spending time online, but just knowing how to deal with challenges when it becomes overwhelming is something that could benefit both students and adults,” says Fritze.
Working toward a healthier future
Amid the challenges associated with mental health education in the U.S., Walgreens and MHA hope the toolkit addresses the growing trend of kids feeling overwhelmed. The content reminds students that adults do want to help them, and it’s more than OK to ask for support. Young people just might have to be patient when explaining to adults the background of why they need help and the “ins and outs” of the latest social platforms and technologies.
Through their partnership, Walgreens and MHA are working to create a more positive mental health environment for parents and students, including Allin and his peers, that can ease some of that inevitable, but reducible, back-to-school pressure.
“It is our hope that by providing more resources for teachers, administrators and families who play such an integral role during these pivotal years, it will be another step toward ensuring the health and wellbeing of our nation’s youth as well as the communities we serve,” May said.
