Podcast - Mental Health Goes to School

24 Sep

E34: The Anxious Generation – Moving from Theory to Reality

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 34 Show Notes * Candida Fink MD and Jo-Ann Berry take a friendly but critical look at Jonathan Haidt’s bestseller, The Anxious Generation. The hosts break down Haidt’s four key recommendations for raising healthier kids and challenge some common buzzwords (like “brain rewiring”) with up-to-date research. They mix in plenty of real-world wisdom from the front lines of education and psychiatry, tackling what families and schools are actually […]

30 Jul

E32: ADHD Prompts

ADHD, Student Support

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 32 Show Notes * In this episode, Dr. Candida Fink and special educator Jo-Ann Berry dive into the nuances of supporting students with ADHD in the classroom. Moving beyond repetitive “pay attention” reminders, they explore the “curious approach” to prompting—asking students if they are stuck or simply thinking. The conversation covers practical classroom strategies for high schoolers, the importance of student autonomy, and how simple adjustments like doodling […]

18 Jun

E33: Navigating College Accommodations

College Transition, Student Support

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 33 Show Notes * Dr. Candida Fink and special educator Jo-Ann Berry discuss the transition from high school to college for students with mental health and learning needs. They explore the growth of college accommodations and provide practical advice for students and families on how to access the supports they deserve. Key Points & Highlights Takeaways & Practical Tips Episode Timeline Practical Tips for Parents & Students Self-Advocacy […]

28 May

E31: Cell Phones and AI in the Classroom

Technology

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 31 Show Notes * In Episode 31 of Mental Health Goes to School, Dr. Candida Fink and Jo-Ann Berry tackle the complex and evolving role of technology in the classroom. They discuss the growing movement toward “phone-free” schools, examining the tension between the potential benefits of reduced distractions and the practical challenges of enforcement. The conversation also shifts to the transformative power of Generative AI, with Jo sharing […]

30 Apr

E30: Screening the Risks—Addiction vs. Screen Time

Technology

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 30 Show Notes * In this episode of Mental Health Goes to School, hosts Candida Fink and Jo-Ann Berry dive into the complex and often misunderstood relationship between children’s screen time and their mental health. They explore a recent longitudinal study and discuss why the focus is shifting from total hours spent online to the nature of “addictive use.” The conversation covers the developmental vulnerabilities of the adolescent […]

16 Apr

E29: Understanding SSRIs and Ketamine in Mental Health

Psychiatric Medication

Listen to the podcast Listen and watch Jo-Ann and Candida recording episode 29: Show Notes In this episode, Jo-Ann Berry (Special Educator) and Dr. Candida Fink (Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist) explore the science and clinical use of two prominent mental health treatments: SSRIs and Ketamine. They break down how these medications work, their common side effects, and the importance of professional medical supervision—especially for adolescents in a school setting. Key Points & Takeaways SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) Ketamine Practical Tips & Side Effects Episode Timeline Connect […]

02 Apr

E28: Our Top Tips for Student Wellbeing

Jo-Ann and Candida Chat

Show Notes The Big Picture In this episode, Jo-Ann and Candida distill years of experience in the classroom and the clinic into their “Top 3” recommendations for supporting the mental health of teens and young adults. They explore the critical intersection of education and psychiatry, offering actionable advice for parents and educators navigating the teen mental health crisis. Key Takeaways Jo-Ann’s Top 3 (The Educator’s Perspective) Dr. Fink’s Top 3 (The Clinician’s Perspective) Episode Timeline Connect & Resources *Show notes […]

11 Dec

E27: Have We Been Thinking About ADHD All Wrong?

ADHD

New! Video of Jo-Ann and Candida recording Mental Health Goes to School Show Notes In this episode, we dig into an April 13, 2025, article in the New York Times Magazine by journalist Paul Tough. Bringing together perspectives as a clinician and a special educator, we consider the article’s point of view regarding ADHD. Jo-Ann and Candida explore the evolving understanding of ADHD, exploring its definitions, the implications of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, and the role of medication as a treatment tool. From […]

21 Aug

E26: Dr. Lipi Roy, Addiction Specialist

Support Systems

Show Notes Addiction specialist Dr. Lipi Roy discusses what substance use disorders are and teaches us about the most updated models of care for these painful conditions. There are effective medical treatments available now that are integrated into comprehensive treatment plans that include non-medication interventions as well. Unfortunately, because of outdated understandings of and stigma about substance use disorders, many people are unaware of how effective medical treatments can be. Old models that blame criminal behavior or moral failures prevent […]

24 Jul

E25: Peer Mentor Jax Agee

Advocacy, Support Systems

Show Notes Peer mentor Jax Agee joins Candida and Jo-Ann to tell about their work as a peer mentor for people living with mental health challenges. Jax’s lived experience helps them connect with individuals living in the community with tasks and goals related to their treatment plans. This can include tasks of daily living, budgeting and banking, learning to use transportation, reinforcing therapeutic goals, and more. We learned what to expect as a client and what it’s like to be a mentor. […]