HSA experts warn screens causing depression in kids
(CNS): As part of its activities to mark the World Mental Health Day last month, the Health Service Authority’s Psychiatry and Behavioural Health Department held a range of sessions on the connection between the overuse of screens, such as mobile phones and tablets, and the decreasing trend in human social interactions and episodes of depression and anxiety, as well as lower levels of happiness among young people. In an effort to spread awareness of the negative effects of screens, the HSA worked with the health ministry, Youth Services Unit, churches and schools to target local children and adolescents.
“We wanted to focus heavily on prevention, and as half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14, it was most reasonable to speak to Year 6 students who fall within the 10-12 age range,” Kenneth Figueira, Occupational Therapist at HSA, said in a release. “At this stage they may be very susceptible to content shown on television, video games and the internet, and may already have begun to experience some of the negative effects of growing up in a technological age, such as cyber-bullying.”
Activities included a youth debate at the North Side Seventh Day Adventist Church and a 45-minute educational session at George Town Primary School, Sir John A Cumber Primary School, Savannah Primary School, Red Bay Primary School and Prospect Primary School.
The Psychiatry and Behavioural Health Department also focused on the training of health practitioners as well as members of the public on how to detect and assist persons experiencing mental health problems, holding a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training session at the Cayman Islands Hospital.
“The aim of delivering the MHFA course is to make it a priority in these islands on par with physical first aid,” said Pamella Williams, Mental Health Nurse and co-facilitator of the course. “Over 125 mental health first aiders have been trained at the HSA since the inception of the course, making it the leading mental health training course on the island. The journey since the beginning has been rewarding and individuals who have participated thus far have rated it highly, expressing that they have learned so much on issues related to mental illness and mental health in their everyday lives and the lives of their loved ones.”
Head of Psychiatry Dr Arline McGill explained that while there has been increased awareness through the MHFA training and other forums, the idea of MHFA and providing mental health support is still fairly new for most.
“We are reminded every year on WMHD that it is very important to focus on our mental health as we develop and create healthy minds as we do our bodies. Promoting this balanced approach is much dependent on our knowledge and understanding of our mental health and the different issues we might encounter that can and will affect us in our daily lives,” McGill added.
The World Health Organisation has warned that the expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows. The WHO has appealed for more to be done to help build mental resilience from an early age to prevent mental distress and illness among adolescents and young adults.
It advises governments and those working in the social, health and education sectors to develop initiatives that educate these age groups on ways to look after their mental health, and to help peers, parents and teachers know how best to provide support to a young person going through mental illness.
For more information on HSA mental health services, call (345) 244-2650.
Category: Health, Mental Health
There’s loads of negative subliminal messages in YouTube videos that are created for kids. Some are as ridiculous as purchase this product to the more criminal messages such as kill your parents.
The problem is that many parents use the handheld screens as babysitting devices.
It’s like crack to my grandchildren. But they don’t seem depressed, just addicted.
Try reading the comments on CNS for a couple of days!!
Same for adults in my experience. Sitting in front of my computer screen at work is very depressing.
No shit. You have said a mouthful there.
The world is a fabulous place, full of opportunity and yet we spend our time behind a screen and a keyboard.
I for one will be breaking free in the near future.
Hopefully, my next venture will demonstrate a sensible use of technology with green benefits.
Sorry, 1:48….. You’re already addicted. It’s like heroin.
I hope not. Time will tell.
For sure keep the data/wifi turned OFF when your kids have these devices!!!!!
Please read up about this (especially if you have children);
https://jackkruse.com/emf-5-what-are-the-biologic-effects-of-emf/
I used to wake up religiously at 4AM. Now I turn my phone (alarm) on airplane mode when sleeping and the 4AM wake up stopped completely. NO LIE!!!
Do not sleep with wifi in your bedroom.
I sleep with a tinfoil hat on. Does the trick for me!
me too
I am glad that I’m not the only one who follows Dr.Jack Kruse at Kruse longevity center. Like his personality or not, he is a geneous.
.. pediatricians don’t understand light as well as they should…the same reason kids are getting fatter, depressed, more sensitive, become school shooters and myopic are all related to the same factor: The blue light hazard in the retina caused by excessive and abusive screen time parents are allowing …this destroys their melanopsin mechanism, unleashes vitamin A to destroy every photoreceptor in their eyes leading to many collateral effects
that confuse pediatricians because none of them learned light physics.
JK
Stop reading that bs from that bs artist.
Try a more credible source next time:
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs304/en/
Conclusions
Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is NO convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.
All you naysayers… There has been more prevalence of breast cancer in younger women starting at the spot in the bra where they stick the phone when not in use.. Just saying!
Believe or don’t, I see no reason not to avoid it as much as possible.
Their minds are locked.Cant get message across.
I just had a visitor, a friend, who I didn’t not see for 10 years. Oh,my, he is so addicted to his smartphone! His intellect is certainly affected. As well as his ability to perform. Yet, he sees no connection. He uses so much sunscreen that he goes through a tube in 3 days! Even early am under his sun protective hat. Lol
Bra’s underwire if it is not plastic, acts as antenna. So it is no surprise.
Indoctrination is of far greater concern. I’ll take my chances with the screens.
Absolutely, 12.01! The effect the content has on our brain is far worse than the radiation. Most people have trouble separating fact from fiction when using these electronic brain controllers.