The correlation between mental health and social media is one of the modern world’s most prominent issues. Today’s public schools are challenged with promoting the healthy use of technology, while simultaneously protecting adolescents from social media’s chilling repercussions.
Our own Sally Nellson Barrett, documentary interviewer and director, introduces The Mind Inside: a docuseries exploring adolescent mental health in the digital age. Watch the discussion recap (starting at 35:00) of our film screening of the second episode, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on mental health, social media, and the responsibilities of our schools and communities.
Ask questions with our event hashtag on Twitter (#GADocsTalks) or submit them during the discussion through our event portal.
Sharon Hoover, Moderator, is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is the co-director of the National Center for School Mental Health and the Director of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Center for Safe Supportive Schools. Sharon is working to create safe, supportive and resilient schools and to improve school-based mental health services.
Caitlin Elsaesser is an assistant professor of social work at the University of Connecticut and a former teacher. She has been working with youth and communities to help youth navigate social media conflict in a digital world.
Brianna Maher is a public health professional. She conducts research at NORC at the University of Chicago on mental health topics including suicide prevention.
Konner Kiesel is a college student at Midland University (NE) and is featured in the film.
Cammie Weland is a teacher at Ralston Public Schools (NE) and a mentor for young people. Cammie is featured in the film.
About the Docuseries
Created by Nebraska Loves Public Schools, The Mind Inside is a three-episode docuseries exploring one of the most pressing and complicated issues in public education today: mental health and social media. Informative and heartbreaking, this episode provides a framework for discussion around empowering a balance of appropriate media use and keeping students in a safe, productive, and positive environment online and in the real world.
Executive Director and film director, Sally Nellson Barrett: “We created The Mind Inside series to explore what students are struggling with today, what social, emotional, and behavioral resources are available, and what schools and their communities are developing as short- and long- term solutions. The topic is complicated and deeply personal and throughout production, I found myself being so much more understanding and empathetic the more I listened to these stories. I hope this film series does the same for you, too.”
