These exclusives from Dr. Sharon Hoover, co-director of the Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine,  help explain the landscape of mental health issues today – from its relationship to schools to our greater society. Hoover is a vital part of the school mental health program in Nebraska as she presents and consults in the state, and provides a national perspective on this issue. 

More about the full episodes in The Mind Inside series

Episode One lays the foundation for the series, establishing what life looks like in public schools today and how mental health impacts the classroom. The episode takes place in a middle school where staff tackle a whole host of challenges students bring to school with them, from trauma to peer frustrations, anxiety and depression, and more. Watch stories from students, hear from school leaders, and understand the growing need for compassion, empathy, and support for students. 

Episode Two explores the complicated world of social media – its influence on young minds and its impact on students’ mental health. Hear directly from students, teachers, and medical experts to understand how the ever-changing social landscape affects what happens in the classroom today. This episode illustrates the nuances of the digital and real worlds of today’s student, where the development of the adolescent brain and vulnerabilities of growing up are compounded by daily, persistent online interactions. 

Future episodes will explore both rural and urban district challenges, staff mental health and wellness, as well as solutions that are currently working in Nebraska’s schools.