Mazzochi: Teens, Social Media, and Mental Health Panel

Westmont State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R–Elmhurst) invited district residents to learn about the links between social media and mental health for teens and young adults. The discussion, which will include panelists from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) DuPage, is scheduled for November 18 at the Westmont Public Library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Representative Mazzochi's Facebook page also will have a livestream link for the event.

"Social media platforms can be incredible communication tools. But many psychologists and social workers worry that youth overuse can lead to depression, addiction, anxiety, and other mental health issues," said Mazzochi. "Yet, it also can be a support lifeline for those who feel alone or need anonymous help. After speaking with parents, family members, and mental health experts, I reached out to NAMI to share tools and strategies for both youth and parents as they engage with social media."

Date: Monday, November 18, 2019

Location: Westmont Public Library, 428 N Cass Ave., Westmont, IL 60559

Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm

NAMI's expert panel will consist of Dr. Robin Boggs Choquette, a teen mental health psychologist, Rachel Tsen, Youth Program Director at NAMI, and a social worker from a local school district. Mazzochi will moderate the event.

Recent studies have shown that over 80 percent of teens and young adults regularly use social media. The long-term impacts of social media use are still unknown. "Young people are lacking developmental skills as well as the ability to effectively communicate. Most troubling is the ability to come to healthy conflict resolution," said Dr. Robin Boggs Choquette. "The over-use of social media is impacting young people's self-confidence as well as their body image expectations. When it comes to body image, the 'perfection expectation' is negatively impacting mental health, even though it is not reality based."

"Our youth today are bombarded with messaging and images on social media. I am grateful that NAMI and our panel experts can be a resource for our district, and help parents and the public navigate this area so that we can help the next generation use social media productively and positively," Mazzochi said.

RSVPs are not required, but they are encouraged. Please contact Rep. Mazzochi's office at (630) 852-8633 or by email at [email protected] for additional information.