NAMI Albany previews Mental Health Awareness Month
ALBANY, Ga. – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is looking to start a dialogue with local families and addressing the impact of social media on teens’ mental health.
We met with the Albany chapter of NAMI Friday about a program they’ll be holding during Mental Health Awareness Month…
And, they’re focusing on how teens have been negatively impacted by social media…
Among other things.
“We think this is a very timely program. Since COVID, a percentage of our youth has been dealing with anxiety and depression. And, substance abuse has increased,” said Debbie Richardson, Leadership Board Member, NAMI Albany.
“…The stresses that they have, being in high school and even younger; it’s a different world than what we grew up with. They have to deal with the internet,” said Kelly Wesselman, Leadership Board Member, NAMI Albany.
We were told that between the constant overstimulation from social media and a general disregard for the mental well-being of kids that it could begin much sooner than high school…
And, could lead to far greater problems…
“In many kids who get mental illness, a lot of the symptoms show up very early in those lower-school years. But most, we start seeing signs by 14, and if they don’t get the proper treatment, that’s when they start to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol,” said Richardson.
And, with may being a major month for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), they really want to make sure the message from the conversation is hit home.
“May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And, that’s one of NAMI’s goals is to bring awareness, and support programs and support different things like this. So, we do hope the public will come,” said Richardson.
As NAMI leadership is hoping for families to come out they also want discussions like this to help show that mental health needs to be taken care of from a young age.
The discussion will take place on Thursday, May 9th at Phoebe Northwest on 2336 Dawson Road at 6:30 pm that evening.
Brian Roche reporting.
Copyright 2024 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.
