Our youth are facing complex serious social challenges encompassing a range of issues from anxiety and depression to loneliness. Their involvement with technology and social media often amplifies those challenges. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 7 out of 10 teens say anxiety and depression are major problems they and their peers are facing. Other pressing concerns are substance use (particularly marijuana), bullying, harassment and personal safety, as well as loneliness and a lack of connection to others. Overshadowing all of those has been COVID-19 and the dramatic changes it has wrought on teens’ everyday lives. This workshop will:

• Look at the major challenges teens are facing today
• Review recent research addressing those challenges
• Examine ways to respond, along with prevention and intervention