Youth Mental Health: Missoula Schools Promote Phone-Free Classes

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Missoula Public Health, in conjunction with a local parents group, called ‘Smartphone Free Schools’, is presenting two documentaries in successive weeks about youth mental health in this digital age.

I spoke with Peggy Schmidt the 5210 Let's Move! Missoula Coordinator with Missoula Public Health about the issue of teens and their increasing online usage, where she praised the work of ‘Smartphone Free Schools’.

Missoula Public Health Working With 'Smartphone Free Schools' Group

“There is a parent group in Missoula called Smartphone Free Schools,” began Schmidt. “I think they have 200 people in their group, or at least on their mailing list, and they are working to limit the number of hours that kids spend on their phones during the school day. In fact, there's a new policy at Hellgate High School that went into effect this fall that matches the one at Sentinel High School, so they are making a difference.”

Schmidt described the new voluntary policy at the two high schools.

Schmidt Described the New Voluntary Smartphone Policy

“At those two schools, at least, students don't have their phones during class time,” she said. “They still can have them during passing periods and lunch, but inside the door to every classroom, there's a sort of a caddy where students put their phones on their way into class. “It's just an expectation; nobody's going to rip the phone out of their hands if they don't do it. but the hope is that if all the teachers do it, and they have the exact same caddy, and it's just routine, it's just sort of peer pressure that everyone will just do it.”

Schmidt described the two films that will be shown in successive weeks, starting this Thursday, October 24.

READ MORE: Governor Calls for Cell Phone Free Schools, Missoula Responds

There are Two 'Screenagers' Films to be Shown on Successive Weeks

“We're putting on these two movies,” she said. “One is this Thursday, the 24th at 6:30 p.m. at the Sentinel High School auditorium. and doors open at 6:15 p.m. which is when we have free pizza and veggies and popcorn. The mission is free. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m. and it's called “Screenagers; Under the Influence. This film examines the impact of our digital age on teens’ decision-making.”

Schmidt provided details on the second film which will air on Monday, November 4, also at 6:30 p.m., this time at the Big Sky High School auditorium.

“The next movie is called Screenagers; Next Chapter,” she said, “It follows physician and filmmaker Delaney Rustin as she explores solutions for improved adolescent stress, anxiety, and depression in the digital age with a panel discussion to follow. Both movies really have good segments to talk about solutions, like, what can we do to help kids with their mental health in the Digital Age?”

Find out more about ‘Smartphone Free Schools’ here.