Social Media & Pediatric Mental Health

teen looking at phone

Insights from Dr. Jasmine Reese ahead of an upcoming episode of REACHing Solutions, a new podcast series from The REACH Institute Social media is woven into nearly every part of young people’s lives. Recent data shows that about 93% of U.S. teens (ages 13–17) use at least one social media app. For many kids and…

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PCPs Are on the Front Lines of Suicide Prevention: Tools to Feel More Confident Having the Hard Conversations

Provider comforting distressed teen.

“The first time you ask a kid about suicide, it’s scary,” explains Eugene Hershorin, MD, a developmental pediatrician and REACH faculty member. “But navigating that fear and asking the question can save a child’s life.”  Research shows that primary care providers have a critical role to play in suicide prevention. Among youth, 80% of those…

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Managing Mental Health Disorders in Adolescent Cannabis Users

Teen holding cannabis joint

“Mental health disorders and substance use are a very common comorbidity, including among youth cannabis users,” shares child and adolescent psychiatrist Blair Ritchie, MD FRCPC. With 40% of youth reporting prior cannabis use, pediatric primary care providers are increasingly likely to see patients in this population who also have mental health needs.  Research on the…

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Mental Health Care for Under- or Uninsured Pediatric Patients

“Evaluating and treating mental health problems in under- or uninsured pediatric patients often presents more challenges, but it is even more rewarding when you are able to provide life-changing mental health care,” explains Natalie Robiou, MD, a pediatric primary care provider at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Philadelphia, PA.  The number of pediatric…

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How Social Media is Impacting Teens

The most important question that we can ask teens isn’t if they use social media, it’s how. Just last May, the Surgeon General’s advisory on social media use in youth exposed some shocking statistics: Among 13 to 17-year-olds, up to 95% use social media, with 35% saying they use social media “almost constantly.”

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