With 70 percent of youth ages 13-17 citing anxiety and depression as a major problem, the Washington County Coalition for Children chose this topic for discussion to commemorate World Health Day (October 10).

“In the most personal way, the film ‘Anxious Nation’ explores the impact of stigma, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, the dangers of social media, and overmedication on children and youth, up to and including a 47 percent increase in suicide over the past decade,” reports Susan Orban, Director of the Washington County Coalition for Children (WCCC). The Coalition sponsored the film screening and panel discussion along with The Chris Collins Foundation and URI’s College of Health Sciences, Couples and Family Therapy Clinic, Psychological Consultation Center, and Health Services. 65 people attended the event (at URI’s Higgins Welcome Center), which included a panel discussion with experts and family members from our local community.” Panel members included:

• Sue Adams, PhD, Professor, URI Department of Human Development & Family Science, and co-founder of the New England Center for Anxiety
• Chelsea Tucker, PhD, Senior Psychologist New England Center for Anxiety and Co-Founder of High Performance Parenting
• Melissa Denton, EdD, Director of Student Support Services, Narragansett School System
• Kate Donahue-Costa, Parent and Director, Cadence Academy Preschool, Westerly
  • Caitlin Levesque, PNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Kingstown Pediatrics
• Ella Medeiros, Senior from South Kingstown High School Peer2Peer Program