Teens, Social Media and Mental Health
Tue May 8, 5:30 PM - Tue May 8, 5:30 PM

The country’s leading depression research organization, Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), today announced it will host a public symposium on “Teens, Social Media and Mental Health” to take place on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Paley Center’s Goodson Theater (25 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019.)

The event will address the question “How are smartphones impacting future generations’ mental health?” with a panel of top HDRF-affiliated researchers and psychiatrists along with several high-profile young adult and teen activists who will share their viewpoints.

The panel – held in May for Mental Health Month – will be moderated by the filmmaker Elyse Fox, Founder of the Sad Girls Club and one of the leading young voices in mental health advocacy. It will also feature UCLA’s Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, author of Media Moms and Digital Dads, A Fact Not Fear Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age.

The event comes at a time of urgent national debate surrounding teens and the constant use of cell phones and social media. Many experts warn that social media is leading to high rates of teen depression and suicide. At the same time, young people are showing how forceful they are both in real life and online in the wake of the Parkland, FL tragedy.

HDRF is actively encouraging teens and their parents to attend, in addition to teachers, guidance counselors and any other interested parties. The panel discussion will last for 45-minutes, followed by a Q&A session, where attendees can submit questions anonymously or publicly, or speak with panelists directly.

The conversation will catalyze a discussion around mental health and depression – a symptom that occurs in one in ten teenagers and is the primary reason why someone takes their life in the United States every 13-minutes. Children and teens are especially vulnerable, as suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth aged five to 25. Depression is a national public health crisis in the United States and although everyone has a story, we are falling short in both talking about it and making real change.