Risk assessment finds AI chatbots aren’t good for addressing teens’ mental health

Common Sense Media’s recent risk assessment of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for supporting teens’ mental health concluded that overall, the tools pose an “unacceptable” risk as the likelihood of a harmful event occurring is too likely and the consequence of any harm caused is too high.

Help is available: Expanding awareness of support services during Suicide Prevention Month 

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness about this urgently important crisis. Currently, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-14, the third leading cause of death among those ages 15-24 and the 12th leading cause of […]

Newsom executive order aims to improve mental health and life outcomes for boys and young men

On July 30, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to address “the alarming rise in suicides and disconnection among California’s young men and boys.” The order directs a coordinated statewide response to improve mental health outcomes, reduce stigma and expand access to meaningful education, […]

New report provides snapshot of mental health screening in K-12 schools

Nearly one-third of U.S.  K-12 public schools mandate mental health screening for students, but officials say getting children the support they need is a challenge, according to a study released July 18. Researchers from RAND Corporation, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the Harvard […]

Policymakers are leaning into supporting overall student well-being

Schools play a key role in supporting student well-being, and a new analysis of governors’ 2022–25 State of the State addresses and legislation introduced across the country show state policymakers are increasingly adapting comprehensive health supports to help local educational agencies provide children with better […]