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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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