In a letter sent to state superintendents, the program was outlined as a strategic effort to address youth mental health issues and one of its major contributors: social media and screen addiction.
“The Natural State is not unique; youth depression, anxiety, and isolation have risen across the country. But we do have a unique opportunity to address this crisis in a collaborative way,” the letter stated. “We are excited to announce a pilot program focused on two key priorities: restricting in-school phone use and enhancing mental healthcare.”
The initiative will provide funding to secondary schools that participate, enabling them to supply students with pouches for storing their phones during school hours. This measure aims to curb screen addiction and reduce social media use. At the DESE Summit last week, Secretary Oliva highlighted that similar programs in other states have led to improvements in both behavior and academic performance.
Additionally, the program will offer funding for telehealth mental health services and assist in connecting families, students, and school staff with mental health providers. It will also provide support for substance abuse care, mental and behavioral healthcare, social services, and insurance-related issues. On average, American teens spend nearly five hours daily on social media, primarily via their phones, often during school hours.
Governor Sanders has emphasized the importance of improving student mental health and reducing screen addiction among teens in Arkansas. Along with schools across Arkansas and ten other districts in Northwest Arkansas, Farmington Schools has submitted a request to learn more about the Pilot Program.
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