"Like a gazillion other fans out there, I couldn't wait for the final season of "Stranger Things" to come out. I was devouring the headlines, watching all the teasers, and scrolling through the interview clips. Not only am I obsessed with the quirky characters and storyline, as a child and family psychologist, I appreciate how the young people grow, strategize, and show bravery against some really strange things."
"If you think about it, some of the things that happen on the show are happening in real life - from disappearing citizens to secret government experiments to conspiracy theories run amok. Add to that questionable strikes on boats in international waters and millions navigating food insecurity recently, stranger things are happening in our nation every day - and as a therapist, let me tell you, it's all taking a toll on our youths' mental health."
"The decline of adolescent mental health is an epidemic that has only worsened since COVID and the racial uprisings in 2020. And over the years, I've seen this crisis unfold firsthand. Whether it was during a Zoom town hall or in a private session, I've witnessed just how debilitating the stress of the world can be. Depression, anxiety, and suicide rates are rising, driving teens to emergency rooms and mobile therapy apps in record numbers."
Fan anticipation for the final season of "Stranger Things" has been intense. A child and family psychologist values the depiction of young people growing, strategizing, and showing bravery. The show's Upside Down parallels real societal turmoil, including disappearances, secret experiments, conspiracy theories, maritime strikes, and rising food insecurity. These collective stressors are taking a measurable toll on youth mental health. Adolescent mental health has declined since COVID-19 and the 2020 racial uprisings. The crisis appears across Zoom town halls and private sessions. Depression, anxiety, and suicide rates are increasing, and Black and brown youth report heightened anxiety about identity. Fictional teens demonstrate survival strategies for abnormal times.
Read at Psychology Today
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