Is Your Child Struggling? Expert Advice on Youth Mental Health

Is Your Child Struggling? Expert Advice on Youth Mental Health Episode 7 with Dr. Nora Dennis What is really driving the rise in mental health struggles among young people? In this episode of the Parent Confidence Lab, we sit down with psychiatrist and addiction medicine physician Dr. Nora Dennis to explore youth mental health, depression, anxiety, loneliness, screen time, social connection, and the role of nature in healing. Dr. Dennis shares her journey from conventional psychiatry and healthcare leadership to founding Jubilee Healing Farm, a clinic and healing farm designed around a more holistic approach to mental health. We talk about why young people can feel connected digitally while still experiencing deep loneliness, how excessive screen time may affect wellbeing, and why face-to-face connection and shared experiences matter. Dr. Dennis also explains how sleep, exercise, routines, community, and time in nature can become meaningful parts of mental health support. For parents of teenagers and young adults, the conversation offers practical ideas for creating connection without turning every interaction into a conflict—including simple activities parents and teens can do together without needing to talk. We also explore negative filtering, gratitude, ecotherapy, forest bathing, and the importance of play and fun in expanding our capacity for positive experiences. In this episode, you'll learn about: The biggest challenges affecting youth mental health Why loneliness can persist despite constant digital connection The relationship between screen time and mental health How cannabis can affect mood and anxiety Why sleep, exercise, and consistent routines matter How parents can reconnect with teenagers without forcing conversation How nature and ecotherapy can support mental wellbeing What "negative filtering" means A different way to practice gratitude Why play, curiosity, and fun are important for mental health If you're a parent trying to better understand your teenager's mental health, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on connection, community, and creating healthier daily rhythms. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: Youth Mental Health 01:20 — Dr. Nora Dennis' Journey Into Psychiatry 03:42 — The Problem With Conventional Healthcare 06:09 — How Jubilee Healing Farm Began 07:51 — What Happens at Jubilee Healing Farm? 09:52 — Who Does Jubilee Healing Farm Serve? 12:12 — Why Are Young People Experiencing More Depression and Loneliness? 13:42 — Cannabis, COVID, and Youth Mental Health 14:47 — Screen Time and Its Impact on Young People 17:03 — How Sleep, Exercise, and Routines Support Mental Health 20:45 — Why Face-to-Face Connection Matters 21:26 — Mirror Neurons and the Science of Human Connection 22:44 — Understanding Negative Filtering 25:29 — How Parents Can Connect With Teenagers 29:14 — Can Gratitude Help Mental Health? 30:04 — Practicing Gratitude Through Nature and Community 34:32 — Nature, Ecotherapy, and Mental Health 36:13 — What Is Forest Bathing? 38:16 — Why Connection Is Essential for Healing 40:48 — Advice for Parents and the Importance of Play 41:24 — Expanding Your Capacity for Joy and Fun 42:50 — How to Bring More Fun Into Everyday Life 44:39 — Final Thoughts With Dr. Nora Dennis 44:57 — Where to Find Jubilee Healing Farm