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Mental Health America (MHA) has announced that registration is now open for their 2023 National Policy Institute: Tweens, Teens and Technology, to be held Tuesday, June 6 from 1-5 p.m. in Washington, D.C.

They are hosting a free three-hour program to explore policies that, if adopted, would support adolescent mental health and healthy behaviors online and eliminate manipulation and harmful behavior online. In particular, they will explore risk and protective factors for youth using social media, video gaming, and virtual reality. Presenting will be experts in research, policy, and advocacy:

·        Nora Volkow, Ph.D., Director of the National Institutes of Drug Abuse

·        Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at the American Psychological Association

·        Monica Anderson, Director of Research at Pew Research Center

·        Fred Dillon, Head of Advisory Services at Hopelab

·        Megan Moreno, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at the Center of Excellence for Adolescent Social Media Use

·        Juan Acosta, Youth Advocate

Following the program, there will be a reception for all attendees at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill from 4-5 p.m.

The Policy Institute is held annually to educate policymakers about prevention and early intervention in mental health, as half of mental health conditions first present signs and symptoms by age 14 years old. Many youth and young adults have faced over the past 10 years greater rates of depression and suicide, especially LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth. This is in contrast with trends in other physical health conditions for youth, such as smoking and pregnancy, which have declined over time.

The U.S. Surgeon General's declaration of a youth mental health emergency in 2021 indicated the societal, environmental, and communal factors that influence youth mental health – including technology and media. Please join us in person to discuss critical solutions to help youth navigate and balance their online lives.

P.S. – Can't make it in-person? Register to attend online!