Supporting Youth Mental Health in a Digital World with Dr. Megan Moreno

Healthcare leaders face significant challenges in addressing the complex needs of adolescents, particularly in integrating mental and physical health care. Dr. Megan Moreno, Vice Chair of Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasizes the importance of involving teenagers in their healthcare decisions. She advocates for healthcare systems to standardize approaches that empower adolescents to ask questions and engage in their care, rather than relying solely on caregivers during medical visits.

Dr. Moreno also discusses the role of digital tools in youth health, noting that while many adolescents seek information online, they often lack the support to navigate these resources safely. She suggests that health systems should promote accurate health information and provide guidance on using digital tools effectively. Furthermore, she highlights the need for clinicians to communicate the risks associated with digital media in a balanced manner, avoiding polarized views on technology.

In her recent book, "Connecting, Raising Kids in a Digital World," Dr. Moreno adopts a strengths-based approach to address the challenges families face with technology. She believes that pediatricians can leverage familiar strategies to help families navigate the digital landscape, fostering healthy connections. Looking ahead, she is optimistic about adolescents' critical engagement with technology and the potential for a more balanced relationship between online and offline interactions.

In this episode, Megan Moreno, MD, Vice Chair of Academic Affairs for the Department of Pediatrics at University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-medical director of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, discusses how health systems can better address adolescent mental health, promote safe technology use, and help teens build confidence in healthcare conversations.