Dr. Joanna Quigley, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3, was quoted in a Michigan Medicine Health Lab article, “Social media use is a double-edged sword for teens. What can caregivers do?”
“In adolescence, the area of the brain that’s involved in reward, the limbic system, is operating in a robust way much earlier than the prefrontal cortex,” said Joanna Quigley, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics and medical director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Michigan Medicine.
Dr. Zakia Alavi, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3, was interviewed by News 10 in Lansing about how parents should monitor their children’s screen time.
The following story extensively quotes Dr. Zakia Alavi, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3.
Link to original article on the Michigan State University website
With summer around the corner, it is the perfect time to review your children’s and teens’ use of social media, especially after the release of the U.S. surgeon general’s new general advisory on social media and youth mental health.
Zakia Alavi is an associate professor of psychiatry in Michigan State University’s Department of Pediatrics and Human Development in the College of Human Medicine and an MSU Health Care provider. She discusses the concerns and provides suggestions for healthier habits regarding social media.
What can parents do to help mitigate children’s excessive use of social media this summer?
Try creating a “tech-free” time and zone in your home. Make sure that everybody, including the parents, are “unplugged and untethered” from their cell phones, etc. Start with an hour each day and increase it to at least two hours daily, ideally before bedtime.
You can tell if your child’s use of social media is problematic when you see your child becoming distant, absent from family time, receiving declining grades and experiencing a change in mood and sleep-wake cycle.
What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of the use of social media among children and adolescents?
Let us look at it from a social context. Social media is supposed to be a way for people — kids and adults — to connect and communicate with each other. That is the purpose of it. If you think of that social connection, it sounds lovely, right?
However, for us to access social media, we must disconnect from our immediate environment.
But it is also a skewed connection. Social media-based communication in some ways is artificial because you are communicating from a place that is disconnected from your real life — a true parallel universe! Your child is navigating a whole universe without having the tools and safeguards that are crucial to their physical and social-emotional safety.
Why is the use of social media so negative?
Something that has happened over time and, especially since the pandemic started, is that instead of being one more way of communicating or expressing yourself, social media became the only way to express and communicate.
And the other thing is that communicating with your computer screen, your phone, anything that is technological uses both a different part of the brain and distinct functions of the brain than if you and I were meeting in person and talking to each other. The stimuli that your child gets from social media are unpredictable, exciting and provide immediate gratification; this taps into the brain’s pleasure-reward center, which is involved in addiction behaviors.
Then, we look at the developmental aspect; a big part of childhood and adolescent development is learning social and emotional cues from others and from our own responses to others.
Children learn about themselves by being around other people. These other people — other kids, other adults — function as mirrors in terms of what is good and not so good about them. So that feedback from others in real life serves to develop individuals’ personalities. When you take out that physicality, you are taking away that growth potential.
How can adults help children and adolescents reduce the time they spend on social media?
Show me a teenager or a child that is isolated and has problematic use of social media and I will show you the family — the entire family unit — doing the same thing.
As a child psychiatrist, I talk to parents about this every day. Before you can ask your child to put away that cell phone or to get off Instagram or TikTok, you, the parent, need to create some technology-free space for yourself. Only then can we create an environment where kids can interact with us.
Once you create that, you will begin to see that the kids will start enjoying that and if they are not, then there could be a problem in the interaction between you and your kids. There may be a problem within the family system, and you can start addressing that.
Do you think there is a role for policymakers or tech companies to restrict access to children and adolescents?
Tech companies could do more for sure. They can filter content; they can provide more checks and balances. But they do not necessarily have a role in parenting and supervising our youth. At the end of the day, that is the responsibility and the privilege that comes with being a parent or guardian.
Is there a healthy way for my child to engage with social media?
Of course! Think of social media for the child’s mind as one source of entertainment among other more tangible, physical activities. Your child’s brain is designed to engage in and enjoy a variety of activities. The use of social media can be one of those experiences if your child is thriving IRL — in real life!
What additional practical advice do you have for parents?
Nasuh Malas, M.D., MPH, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3, was named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the 2023 Notable Leaders in Mental Health.
*Please note that you need a subscription to Crain’s Detroit Business to read this content.
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Dr. Mahela Ashraf, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3, was interviewed by TV6 in the Upper Peninsula regarding the importance of women’s mental health. She highlighted MC3 and its role in supporting providers statewide who are treating perinatal patients with mental health concerns.
The following story, written by Meredith Bruckner, extensively quotes Dr. Joanna Quigley, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3.
Link to original article on All About Ann Arbor’s website
ANN ARBOR – Another school shooting has rocked the state of Michigan just over one year after the deadly shooting at Oxford High School.
On Monday night, a gunman entered two academic buildings on Michigan State University’s campus and shot several students, killing three and critically wounding five.
The suspect, a 43-year-old male with no affiliation to the university, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound off campus hours after the initial attacks, authorities said.
Classes and all campus activities have been canceled at MSU for 48 hours, and all K-12 schools in the East Lansing Public Schools District are closed on Tuesday.
As students and families across the state wake up following an incident, it can be difficult to avoid exposure to the topic on social media, television and radio.
Limit screen time
What’s the best way to help young children and teenagers process such traumatic news?
Joanna Quigley, a child psychiatrist at Michigan Medicine said it can take a long time to cope with the grim reality of school shootings.
“The biggest things that adults and our communities can do right now are to provide consistency and structure, to keep open lines of communication, and to find time each day to check in with one another,” Quigley said in a statement in the immediate aftermath of the Oxford High School shooting. “Make it clear you’re available to answer questions about what happened, but make sure the child isn’t overexposed to the media coverage of the event, or to social media posts about it.”
She said that being exposed to news and coverage of the event on social media can cause a child to be retraumatized, so avoiding digital devices is recommended.
Quigley recommended that teenagers refer to “When Terrible Things Happen” by the National Child Trauma Network as a tool to help them reduce the negative effects of major traumatic events.
Other resources she recommended include the Resources for Families site from SAMHSA, a federal agency and the disaster, violence and trauma resources from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Keeping communication lines open
Quigley acknowledged that parents sometimes avoid discussing a traumatic event altogether as a way to cope. This, she said, can make a child feel like they can’t talk about it when they’re ready.
“Grownups should name the emotions they’re feeling about this situation, especially with teens,” she said in a statement. “Sometimes older children and teens aren’t ready to name the emotions they’re feeling or discuss them proactively, but if they hear that others are feeling them, they may.
“Even if say they don’t have questions or don’t want to talk right now, let them know you have an ‘open door policy’ if they do want to talk, which could be a week or two from now, or may be prompted by more information coming out about the incident. It’s important for them to know that the adults in their lives are available to them on an ongoing basis.”
She added that consistency in routines is extremely important, including spending quality time together as a family, keeping regular schedules and healthy sleeping and eating habits. School is also an important source of stability for children, with many resources available to students, she said.
Reporting a problem
If you suspect a teen’s personality or behavior has changed and become concerned, speaking up is the best solution, said Quigley, who added that several mental health conditions like schizophrenia and depression tend to peak during the teenage and young adult years. Such concerns should be brought to a child’s pediatrician.
Anyone concerned about school safety in Michigan can contact the OK2SAY Tip Line at 1-855-565-2729, text to 652729 or email to [email protected].
Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255 or via live web chat should someone voice concerns about hurting themselves. Crisis lines for each county in the state are listed here.
Dr. Nasuh Malas, Consulting Psychiatrist for MC3, was featured on the Pediatric Meltdown podcast episode titled “Somatic Disorders and Medical Child Abuse aka Munchausen by Proxy: Guidance for Clinicians.”
Dr. Nasuh Malas, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3, will serve as a member of the Commission
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission.
Created by the FY22-23 School Aid budget, the School Safety and Mental Health Commission will collaborate to provide recommendations to reduce youth suicides and strengthen the mental health of school-aged children, adolescents, and their families through a comprehensive, statewide approach. The Commission will seek input from educational professionals, mental health professionals, and organizations from across this state to suggest approaches to identify and support students at risk of behavioral health issues.
“Every kid in Michigan has a birthright to a phenomenal public education and we need to work together to ensure they can thrive by investing in their overall well-being, including mental and behavioral health,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have enacted four balanced, bipartisan education budgets including the highest state per-student funding ever and dedicated resources for school safety and mental health. Today’s appointees to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission will ensure that we use our resources effectively to keep our kids safe and learning in-person.”
“As chair of the Michigan School Safety Commission and deputy director of the Michigan State Police, which houses the Office of School Safety, I am committed to working collaboratively to do all we can to improve school safety in Michigan,” said Lt. Col. Chris Kelenske, Deputy Director of the Michigan State Police. “The recent investments in the bipartisan state budget for school safety will help us shore up on-campus safety, and the work of the School Safety and Mental Health Commission will ensure that the resources are delivered where they will have the greatest impact for our kids. The MSP stands ready to utilize all available best practices to keep our children safe and focused on learning.”
“As school leaders, we are focused on fostering a safe learning environment for all of Michigan’s students, teachers, and staff,” said Dr. Tina Kerr, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. “We appreciate the collaboration between Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature on this year’s education budget and know our districts around the state will continue to use every resource provided to supplement student learning, improve school safety, fund mental health supports, and help our students grow and thrive.”
The Commission consists of individuals appointed by the Governor and individuals appointed from recommendations by the Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader. Additionally, designees from the Department of Education, Michigan State Police, and the Department of Health and Human Services will serve as members of the Commission. Appointees will bring a wide-range of experience including mental health treatment, school-threat assessment, law enforcement, parents, and teachers.
The following individuals will serve as members of the School Safety and Mental Health Commission:
Daveda J. Colbert, Ph.D., of Farmington Hills, is the superintendent of the Wayne Regional Education Service Agency. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Southern University at New Orleans, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in Education from Oakland University. Dr. Colbert is appointed to represent members with a background in school administration. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2026.
Patrick R. Green, of New Baltimore, is the marine enforcement officer and reserve police officer for New Baltimore Police Department. He holds an associate’s degree in general studies from Macomb Community College. Mr. Green is appointed to represent members submitted by the Speaker of the House who are parents. He will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2024.
Alyse F. Ley, M.D., of Okemos, is a physician and director for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at Michigan State University where she also serves as the residency education director for the Department of Psychiatry. She is also an advisor to the National Policing Institute Foundation Center for Mass Violence Response Studies. Dr. Ley holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Doctor of Osteopathology from Michigan State University. Ms. Ley is appointed to represent members with experience in school-threat assessments. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2026.
Nasuh Malas, M.D., of Ann Arbor, is a clinical associate professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Malas also serves as the director of the Pediatric Consult and Liaison Psychiatry Service and chief of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service for the C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital. He received his Doctor of Medicine, Master of Public Health, and Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Malas is appointed to represent members with experience in the provision of inpatient treatment to children under age 18. He will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2026.
Jason Russell, of Middleville, is the founder and CEO of Secure Education Consultants, a consulting company that seeks to improve risk management and security within organizations and primarily in school districts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and a Master’s in Security Management and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. Mr. Russell is appointed to represent members submitted by the Speaker of the House with a background in law enforcement. He will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2024.
Jennifer Taiariol, Ph.D., of South Lyon, is the school psychologist and director of student services for Livonia Public Schools. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Master of Arts in School and Community Psychology from Wayne State University. She also holds a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Michigan University. Dr. Tairiol is appointed to represent a member submitted by the Senate Minority Leader who is a school psychologist or psychiatrist. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2026.
Rosa M. Thomas, of Milford, is the chief operations officer for Honor Community Health, a non-profit community healthcare center that includes school-based health centers. She holds a bachelor and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Inca Garcilaso De La Vega University in Peru. Ms. Thomas is appointed to represent a member submitted by the House Minority Leader with experience in school mental health. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2024.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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The following story was written by Deena Centofanti. It extensively quotes Dr. Nasuh Malas, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3.
Link to original article and video on Fox 2 Detroit’s website
Excitement, sadness, anticipation, fear, anxiety – this time of the year is filled with emotion.
Summer is ending, for kids a new school year is beginning, and no matter what the age, for both the student and parent, this can lead to some anxiety. The doctor is in to help all of us get through it.
“There are a lot of potential stressors that can occur throughout the year. One is peer stress and social stressors of just adapting to the day to day. And that can include bullying, involvement in romantic relationships, relationships on the sports field or an extracurricular. Also, academic pressures, internally or societal,” said Dr. Nasuh Malas, a child psychologist at University of Michigan Health.
Malas said it’s important to talk to children and figure out what they are thinking.
“It can be really hard to reassure children and adolescents about some of the stressors that kids just experience in school these days, whether it’s bullying or violence, or other unexpected challenges that occur, it’s hard to really anticipate all that all you can do as a parent, is create an open door policy where anything that the child wants to bring to you, they can bring it to you in a loving and nurturing way,” Malas said.
Pre-pandemic data from the CDC finds that close to 1 in 10 children between the ages of three and seventeen had diagnosed anxiety. That’s nearly 5.8 million children in the United States. Malas says anxiety can be healthy but it can also be concerning.
“It’s when that anxiety becomes more significant and starts to really affect lots of different areas in our life, whether it’s not being able to be involved in social relationships, struggling completing school tasks, showing behaviors that are really disruptive or problematic. Those behaviors and those emotions can sometimes be really impairing for a child. And when that occurs, that’s when you want to call a specialist to get help,” Malas said.
Malas says there are factors we can try to control that help support good mental health, good sleep, nutritious food, being active, and having a good sense of self-worth. Those are good behaviors to model as adults.
If your child is experiencing a mental health emergency or suicidal thoughts, the new 9-8-8 hotline can provide support. Parents can also find more resources on child anxiety by visiting the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Family Resource Center on Anxiety Disorders.
The following article was written by Cecilia Warchol and published by the Michigan Health blog. It extensively quotes Dr. Nasuh Malas, a consulting psychiatrist for MC3. Link to original article
The summer months may seem a little hectic with kids home from school and new schedules to adjust to. However, it’s actually a great opportunity for you to pay closer attention to how your children behave, especially during the hours when they would normally be in a classroom.
And as summer winds down, it’ll be important to also take note if your kid seems anxious about returning to school.
For some, it could be a healthy form of anxiety in the form of excitement and anticipation for what’s to come in the new school year. Yet, for others, it may signal a more serious sign of anxiety.
But how can you tell the difference between “normal” nerves and something more serious? University of Michigan child and adolescent psychiatrists, Gregory Hanna, M.D., and Nasuh Malas, M.D., MPH, who is director of pediatric consultation and liaison psychiatry services at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, help answer that question along with screening guidelines, what “healthy” anxiety looks like, when to seek professional help and how to talk about anxiety with your kids.
“Anxiety is the experience that youth may have when they have distressing thoughts, worries or negative perceptions about a future or anticipated event and/or may have a limited capacity to manage distressing thoughts or worries,” said Malas.
In small doses, anxiety may be motivating, but in severe cases, it can impact many aspects of a child’s life—school, medical care, friendships, family interactions—and become debilitating.
Signs of anxiety can range from child to child.
Some physical changes can include muscle tension, headaches, stomachache, restlessness, feeling their heart racing and sweating. Behaviors such as avoidance, tearfulness, withdrawal from activities, panic, irritability, or expressions of fear—all could stem from anxiety.
Parents can pay attention to their child’s development and daily activities to watch for any debilitating signs of anxiety, Hanna says. For example, a child or adolescent who suffers from separation anxiety—which may show through constant thoughts about the safety of guardians—may have a low appetite or sleep problems.
“In this scenario, they may become fearful at night, unable to sleep alone, have fears of the next day at school without their guardian, or have a poor appetite along with stomach aches,” said Hanna. “All these signs can affect their development and interfere with usual daily life.”
Hanna also points out to parents and caregivers that when their child is in school, having open conversations with their teachers may provide helpful insight to how the child is behaving outside of the home. Their teachers may notice if a child is being unusually shy and not interacting or participating in class. Conversely, the teacher may not be aware of behavior that could be happening at home and by parents having clear communication with teachers, a better understanding can help support the child.
Yes. Anxiety is a part of daily life. When someone is feeling anxiety or stress in a non-clinical sense, they are experiencing something innately human. This could be when someone is completing tasks and has mild stress that comes in small doses like before giving a presentation or taking an exam.
“It’s what can keep us out of trouble when we are preparing to cross the street, or when we go swimming in open waters such as lakes,” said Hanna. “Younger children may have developmentally appropriate fears that fade with increasing maturity, such as fears of the dark or thunderstorms.”
If anxiety is persistent and impairing, and even more so when it affects many areas a child’s life—social interactions, school, family life—this is an indication that children need mental health professional support to help manage their anxiety.
Experts also say to watch for anxiety being uncomfortable or distressing for the child. Sometimes signs of anxiety aren’t obvious, and a child appears to be managing when they’re not.
Earlier this year, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, which is made up of nationally accredited medical experts, issued a draft of guidelines for anxiety screening in children starting as young as eight years old.
Experts explain that the newly drafted guidelines are important for parents to be aware of for several reasons. For one, it adds a larger focus on mental health and screening as part of primary care practices in a time where mental illness among youth is gradually rising, especially with the pandemic.
Other factors that can increase risk for anxiety include disruptions or difficulties with school, bullying, familial stress, challenges in peer interactions, and exposure to traumatic events.
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