Science Updates
Advancing the Science of the Developing Brain
Quarterly updates focusing on sharing information about the incredible research being conducted at the Child Mind Institute.
August 16, 2024
This summer has been incredibly productive for our Science team. The sheer volume of conferences, webinars, meetings, collaborations, studies, papers, programs, and tools we have produced is mind-boggling. I am thankful to have such a talented and committed group of team leaders and staff working so hard everyday to make our scientific visions a reality. I’m excited to share some of the tremendous work our team has been able to produce.
At the annual Organization for Human Brain Mapping conference, Child Mind Institute Science was featured more prominently than ever before — and for the third time, one of our researchers won the Open Science Award. Additionally, our “Technology and Youth Mental Health Series” is blazing ahead with another webinar this month. And given all the buzz around social media and youth this summer, I think you’ll find it fascinating. We also have plenty of resources around technology, social media, and youth in our resource section to share.
The Youth Mental Health Academy had an incredible summer, enrolling over 900 new teens into the 2024-2025 program, and wrapping up with field internships for those enrolled in last year’s pilot program. Furthermore, planning is underway for the 2024 “On The Shoulders of Giants Scientific Symposium”, addressing one of the top concerns we see among children and families: anxiety. And if that’s not enough news for one issue, the White House gave our open science efforts a nod! Read on, enjoy, and see you in November…
Beyond the Hype: Exploring the Evidence for Social Media’s Role in Youth Mental Health
The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued a call for warning labels on social media because of its potential impact on youth mental health. Parents wonder how much to monitor and intervene in their children’s social media use. And schools and policymakers continue to evaluate interventions.
In this landscape — where social media use is universal and universally discussed — it’s essential to understand what the research does and does not say about its mental health impact and what remains to be studied. On August 20, in the next session of our Technology & Youth Mental Health Series, we aim to investigate the ways social media is both helpful and harmful to youth mental health — and highlight the key questions that researchers, clinicians, and parents need to be asking.
Moderated by the Child Mind Institute’s Dr. Dave Anderson and featuring Dr. Jessica Schleider (Northwestern), a pioneer in tech-based youth interventions; Dr. Pete Etchells (Bath Spa University), a leading voice on digital well-being; Dr. Candice Odgers (UC Irvine), renowned for her work on social media’s nuanced effects; and Dr. Mitch Prinstein (UNC and APA), a key figure in shaping mental health policies.
Child Mind Institute Science Featured at OHBM 2024
On June 23–27, the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM), hosted its 2024 conference — the premier event in the brain mapping field — in Seoul, South Korea. A team of Child Mind Institute scientists led by Chief Science Officer Michael Milham, MD, PhD, was in attendance.
The Child Mind Institute is proud to have contributed to an astounding 34 presentations, symposia, courses, roundtables, and social events at OHBM 2024! Of those 34 activities, 19 involved significant contributions from our staff or collaborators and were promoted on Child Mind Institute Science social media, including the conference roundtable, several symposia, and the main social event. As part of the the event, Adriana Di Martino, MD, was presented with the 2024 OHBM Open Science Award. Read more about that later in this newsletter.
2024 On the Shoulders of Giants Scientific Symposium to Be Held October 30
The 2024 “On the Shoulders of Giants Scientific Symposium”, the Child Mind Institute’s annual celebration of scientific collaboration and breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain, will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. The event will honor Rachel Klein, PhD, the 2024 winner of the Sarah Gund Prize for Research and Mentorship in Child Mental Health.
Dr. Klein has made fundamental contributions to our knowledge around the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and more. She has authored seven books and over 230 scholarly articles. Furthermore, her mentorship has given rise to many of the nation’s leading researchers in child and adolescent psychiatry. At the symposium, Dr. Klein and two of her protégés will present key findings from their work on anxiety before joining an expert panel to discuss the topic further and answer questions from attendees.
2024-2025 Youth Mental Health Academy Officially Launches
This summer, the Child Mind Institute has visibly demonstrated its commitment to building the next generation of diverse and culturally competent mental health professionals. Following a highly successful 2023-2024 pilot program, we officially launched our Youth Mental Health 2024-2025 program.
On Monday, June 24, 2024, approximately 900 highly talented and culturally diverse high school students across 19 sites in LA, San Diego, and the Bay Area began the program. And in the following weeks, 120 students who participated in our 2023 pilot program embarked on their internships. The Youth Mental Health Academy is funded by the State of California to increase representation of individuals from structurally marginalized communities in the mental health field. The program runs for 14 months, providing each student a stipend as they engage in project-based learning and internships — with integrated support and mentorship — that sets them up for success as future mental healthcare professionals.
Additional Items of Interest
Groundbreaking Findings About Brain Development
Thalamocortical pathways play a crucial role in higher cognitive functioning. But few studies have explored how they develop throughout childhood. Now Child Mind Institute scientists have done just that, highlighting how connectivity evolves from infancy through young adulthood.
Want to Learn More About Technology & Youth Mental Health?
The Child Mind Institute’s Technology and Youth Mental Health webinar series brings together researchers, advocates, and tech thinkers to explore crucial questions, such as: What is the relationship between social media and mental health? How can we advance research on this relationship using real world data?
How Old Is Old Enough For Social Media?
There’s been a lot of talk about kids and social media this summer. Connecting with friends on social media can be healthy for kids, but social media can also present threats to a child’s wellbeing. How can you know if your child is ready?
Neurotechnology And Children
Neurotechnologies are increasingly available to and used by children, sometimes to their benefit. But what exactly is neurotechnology, and is it good for kids? The Child Mind Institute Science team’s Arno Klein, PhD, contributed to a UNICEF report exploring the risks, benefits, and what can be done to protect kids.
White House Highlights Child Mind Institute Efforts
In early June, the White House included Child Mind Institute partnerships and programs — such as the SNF Global Center, Youth Mental Health Academy, and Healthy Brain Network — in a list of efforts accelerating progress on mental health research!
Is Your Teen Safe Online?
1 in 4 teens surveyed for our Online Use and Reporting Survey (OURS) said they had a negative online experience in the past year. 69 percent of them said it happened more than once. Learn how to help your teen stay safe online.
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