Health Hotline Magazine | August 2023

A review published in 2020 found evidence from a variety of studies that “…implicate smartphone and social media use in the increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality among youth; there is a dose-response relationship, and the e ects appear to be greatest among girls.” An earlier study published in 2018 investigated how screen time a ected the mental health of kids between the ages of two and 17 and found that as screen time increased, mental wellness decreased. Among 14- to 17-year-olds, those that had seven or more hours of screen time each day were more than twice as likely to have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and to have been treated by a mental health professional or taken medication for a psychological or behavioral issue in the past year. Seven hours may seem like a lot, but it’s the average time most teens spend on screens. On the other hand, we also know that social media is how a lot of kids connect—the same warning issued by the Surgeon General reported that many adolescents say social media helps them feel more accepted, to feel connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives, acts as a support network in tough times, and is a place to show their creativity. The critical point seems to be how much time they spend on social media. Any parent knows this struggle well, and for many, it can feel like a constant battle. But this is a battle worth fighting. Working with our kids to set healthy boundaries and limits around social media use has become a modern-day parenting necessity. Support with Supplements Adolescence, defined as the phase of life from 10 to 19, is a time of critical brain growth and development, and the brain requires nutrients to do this. A healthy diet sets the foundation for mental and emotional wellbeing, but as we already established, teens don’t always have the best eating habits. A quality multivitamin should be a part of every tween and teen’s daily routine. It will provide all of the vitamins and minerals a growing

multivitamin

brain requires, including the B-complex vitamins, which play an important role in maintaining mental wellbeing. Arguably one of the most important supplements every tween and teen should take is a fi sh oil supplement containing EPA and DHA . These fatty acids are absolutely essential for normal brain development and function, as well as for supporting mental health. One study found that supplementation with 2,400 mg omega-3 daily (combined EPA/DHA) improved depressive symptoms in adolescents 11-17 years old. It may also help if your child is challenged with aggressive behavior: A study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania found that an omega-3

A healthy diet sets the foundation for mental and emotional we being

supplement containing 1 gram of combined EPA/DHA reduced aggressive and antisocial behavior in children, as well as improved symptoms of depression and anxiety. Virtually no teen eats enough fatty fish to obtain optimal amounts of these brain nutrients, making it a vital supplement. Magnesium is a must-have mineral for the nervous system and common symptoms of deficiency include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, or other sleep issues. It’s a wonderful supplement for promoting calm, and is especially good if your teen struggles with anxiety, feeling stressed, or has trouble sleeping. Parenting through the tween and teen years is hard, and supporting your child through mental health struggles can add an extra layer of challenge. But with a little knowledge, you can give your kiddo the support they need. And sometimes, that’s just letting them know they are not alone. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 For references, email customerservice@naturalgrocers.com

B-Complex

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