Community film screening and discussion on youth mental health offered Wednesday

Posted 4/12/22

Healthy Park County is launching “Community Screenings,” a series of documentaries and conversations to empower wellness. The first film, “Screenagers: Next Chapter, Uncovering …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Community film screening and discussion on youth mental health offered Wednesday

Posted

Healthy Park County is launching “Community Screenings,” a series of documentaries and conversations to empower wellness. The first film, “Screenagers: Next Chapter, Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience,” examines the science behind teens’ emotional challenges and the interplay of social media. Screenagers explore what can be done in schools and homes to help youth build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety and depression in this digital age.

A screening and discussion will be held at Vali Twin Cinema in Powell at 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

Following the film, attendees can engage in a Q and A conversation with local mental health professionals. Parents, teens, school staff and anyone who supports youth are encouraged to join the free event.

Kandi Bennett, health/family and consumer science teacher at Powell High School, said she’s talked with her students about social media and too much screen time.

“Teenagers know too much time on devices can be problematic and will often identify goals of not spending as much time on their phones,” she said. “Some even know that being on their devices and social media at night can cause sleep problems, but they can’t break the habit.”

According to the film, teens say their main way of coping with stress is to turn to a screen. However, scientific data shows that two or more hours a day on social media correlates with a higher chance of having unhappy feelings.

“We need to ensure teens have other coping skills,” event organizers say.

Community Screenings are being offered with support from the Drug-Free Communities Support Program and in partnership with Park County school districts, Big Horn Cinemas and Vali Twin Cinema. Two showings and discussions of the “Screenagers” film were held at Big Horn Cinemas in Cody last week.

For more information, contact Jennifer Just at jennifer@healthyparkcounty.org.

Comments