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 […]
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 Unfortunately, because of outdated understandings of and stigma about substance use disorders, many people are unaware of how effective medical treatments can be.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 […]
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. […]
Show Notes The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop provides a framework to consider why students approach school as they do. Mainly targeted toward parents, this newly published book (January 2025) can be helpful for educators and providers to help teens navigate their education and next steps. The writers walk through four types of engagement and what they could mean about how a student, or anyone, is approaching a particular aspect of […]
Show Notes “Stop Panicking Over Teens and Social Media,” an essay from the Wall Street Journal by Lucy Foulkes provides a different point of view that Jo-Ann and Candida discuss. Foulkes points out that some of the generalizations about social media use and teen mental health may not be backed up by the data. While we have some differences, we agree that parents need tools and guidance to help their teens learn to safely navigate the digital world that is different than […]
Show Notes Candida and Jo-Ann talk about a recent guest essay in the New York Times, Giving Kids Some Autonomy Has Surprising Results (Jan 2, 2025) by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, authors of “The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.” Students are more likely to be engaged in their education with some autonomy, particularly in choosing how to approach their learning. With flexible thinking from students, teachers, and parents there can be some leeway with demonstrating […]
Show Notes Erin Tate, a licensed clinical social worker from Montana joins Jo-Ann and Candida for a compelling conversation. Erin shares insights from her private practice, Dragonfly Counseling, which is dedicated to serving communities in need, regardless of their ability to pay. The discussion highlights the increasing levels of anxiety among adolescents, exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on social development. They explore how anxiety often manifests in School environments, sometimes being mistaken for behavioral issues or lack of […]
Show Notes Ellen Hallsworth, Director of Bradley REACH, joins Jo-Ann and Candida to discuss innovative approaches in Mental Health care for adolescents. Ellen shares insights into Bradley REACH’s virtual partial hospitalization program, which has been remarkably successful in engaging adolescents in remote mental health treatment. Ellen delves into the unexpected success of virtual care during the pandemic and how it has evolved, including increased family involvement and the ability for clinicians to gain valuable insights by observing patients in their […]
Show Notes Dr. Willough Jenkins, child psychiatrist joins Jo-Ann Berry and Dr. Candida Fink to discuss the multifaceted challenges of mental health in school settings. Recorded live from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry conference in Seattle, this episode of Mental Health Goes to School dives deep into the intersection of digital technology and student well-being as well as cyberbullying and digital citizenship. The episode highlights the necessity of collaboration between schools and families to create safe digital […]
Show Notes Inspired by the film Inside Out 2 Jo-Ann and Candida discuss how anxiety manifests in adolescents and how it can be managed. They explore how anxiety, a natural part of adolescence, can become overwhelming, especially when linked to academic pressures like writing assignments. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing anxiety triggers and strategies students can use, such as movement breaks, sensory changes, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to manage these feelings. Jo-Ann and Candida also highlight the […]
Categories
- ADHD
- Advocacy
- Anxiety Disorders
- Book Discussion
- CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Child development
- College Transition
- DBT – Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Depression
- Health and Safety
- Jo-Ann and Candida Chat
- Mental health care access and equity
- Mental Health Crisis Planning
- On Demand
- Physical and Mental Health
- Psychiatric Medication
- Safety Net
- SEL – Social Emotional Learning
- Sleep
- Social Media
- Stigma
- Student Anxiety
- Student Support
- Support Systems
- Technology