Mental Health Initiative

What are we doing?

Why the need for change?

• Concern for the mental health of students
  • Social media and dependence on phone contributes negatively to mental health for many
  • Educating students about technology use, mental health
• Belief we can improve our effectiveness and efficiency academically
  • Focus and engage during class
  • Reduce time spent outside of class during class time
• Improve our culture
  • Opportunities for more social interactions to help all feel like they belong
  • Reduce unwillingness to participate due to being recorded
• Create more time for things that are positive and productive
  • Social skill development, relationships
  • Physical activity
  • Spiritual disciplines

Because it’s what’s best for our students!

• According to research, smartphones and social media negatively impact students in the following ways:
  • ACADEMICALLY // reduces retention, test scores, reaction time, enjoyment of tasks requiring focus, and cognitive capacity
  • MENTALLY // it takes 20 minutes for our minds to completely refocus after disruption by/use of a phone
  • EMOTIONALLY // spikes in self harm, depression, and anxiety
  • SOCIALLY // disrupts essential needs kids have as they grow up–interacting with others in real time
  • PHYSICALLY // less exercising
  • SPIRITUALLY // generally incompatible with spiritual practices
  • TIME USE // squeezes out time for everything else
• The benefits we’ve seen with our students based on our experience having removed smartphones and the increased technology education along with prosocial programming:
  • Improved overall mental health
  • Reduced stress
  • Students making more friends, less social anxiety
  • Less distractions in class, increased engagement in classroom activities, increased ability to focus in class, increased success in class
  • More time spent talking to other students, finding things to do with each other
  • Reduced drama, social conflicts, and discipline issues
  • Reduced inappropriate sharing of videos/posts/etc.

Have Questions?

Q:  How do I communicate with my child during the school day?

A:  If your communication is not needed immediately, you can email your student.  If you need to communicate something immediately, call the office so they can communicate with your student right away.

Q:  What about emergency situations?

A:  School staff will communicate with families about emergency situations that arise.  School staff can make use of the school intercom system as well as phones to communicate.  

Q:  How are phones/devices collected and returned each day?

A:  Phones are collected at the start of first period. Each student puts their device(s) in their own case which is placed along with other cases in a large secure box. All device boxes are kept in the main office throughout the school day.  Students pick their phones up at the end of the day outside the main office.

Q:  What are the consequences for students who have their phones/devices with them during the day?

A:  The phone will be taken to the office for the rest of the day.  A parent/guardian will need to come to the office to pick up the phone.

Q:  What if my child needs to use their phone/device during the day?

A:  Prior arrangements can be made for students who require access to their phones during the day.  For example, a student that has a medical need that requires use of their phone.

Q: What about the use of smart watches? If students do not have access to phones, won’t they use their smart watches more?

A: Smart watches are turned at the start of the day along with the cell phones.

Q: Are teachers allowed to have their phones with them in their classrooms?

A: Yes, teachers do have their cell phones in their classrooms so they are available in the event of an emergency. However, all faculty and staff are encouraged to not use their phones unless necessary.

The evidence is clear, but don’t just take our word for it!

The Anxious Generation – book by Jonathan Haidt

“End the cell phone based childhood now”.pdf – journal article by Jonathan Haidt

hiddenbrain.org/podcast/escaping-the-matrix/ – podcast featuring Jonathan Haidt

EdWeek – article by Madeline Will

Beyond Bans: Schools’ Role in a Hard Reset on the ‘Phone-Based Childhood’ | Getting Smart – Article by Julia Freeland Fisher

Phone Notifications in the classroom – article from DailyMail.com (England, UK)

afterbabel.com/p/a-time-we-never-knew?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2 – blog post by Freya India

washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/05/01/school-cellphones-confiscate – Washington Post article by Joanna Slater

edweek.org/leadership/cellphone-bans-can-ease-students-stress-and-anxiety-educators-say/2023/10 – Ed Weekly article

Parents are key when it comes to limiting screen time for kids, study finds – NPR article by Maria Godoy