Arguably the biggest epidemic among teens is depression, and social media only adds fuel to the fire. How can we navigate this? The monster is out of the box and we are struggling with what to do to help. Meredith E. Gansner, MD, is an attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her award-winning research focuses on adolescent mental health and problematic digital media use.
TEEN DEPRESSION GONE VIRAL:
Why Kids Are More Vulnerable Than Ever & How You Can Protect Your Child’s Health and Happiness
by Meredith Gansner, MD
“This book is a ‘tell it like it is’ companion guide to the overwhelming experience that is tackling adolescent depression in our digitally-dependent age. Expecting that online search engines will be consulted multiple times along this journey, this guidebook teaches parents to think critically about online search results, troubleshoot online and offline obstacles, and focus on the big picture: their child’s recovery.” — Meredith Gansner, MD
Advance Praise for the Book:
“This is the only book you need if you are worried that your teenager is depressed.” —Jodi Gold, MD, author of Screen-Smart Parenting
“Expert guidance is here. Dr. Gansner provides trustworthy information and practical recommendations for how you can help your struggling teen.” —Christopher R. Martell, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst
“As a researcher who has studied the impact of digital media on adolescents, Dr. Gansner is uniquely suited to guide parents through this perplexing and complicated topic.”— Nancy Rappaport, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
What are the warning signs of depression in teens? When do social media and gaming habits cross the line into putting kids at risk? How can parents keep teens healthy and safe—without sledgehammering all their devices? This realistic, reassuring guide from adolescent psychiatrist and parent Meredith E. Gansner gives parents the latest information about depression in teens, with a special focus on digital media use. Filled with vivid stories, the book illuminates the warning signs of teen mental health problems and self-harm; what parents can do to help, including downloadable practical tools; and how to find effective diagnosis and treatment. Exploring myths and facts about internet addiction, dangerous viral trends, and cyberbullying, Dr. Gansner provides actionable steps for curbing them. Every chapter also identifies positive technology resources for both kids and parents, from supportive online communities to health-promoting sites and apps.
“Full disclosure: The foremost expert on your teen’s depression is probably your teen. But you and I both know that teenagers aren’t always great at talking about their feelings, especially to their parents. They do (sometimes) talk to me, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has seen depression present itself within a wide variety of settings... The combination of my research and clinical experience has given me perspective on the management of adolescent depression in our screen-dependent society.” — Meredith Gansner, MD
About Dr. Gansner
Meredith E. Gansner, MD, is an attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her award-winning research focuses on adolescent mental health and problematic digital media use. Dr. Gansner lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.
Instagram: @mgansnermd
Twitter/X: @mgansner
LinkedIn: @Meredith Gansner
Dr. Gansner in the Press:
Slate: 13 Reasons Isn’t Enough
The Atlantic: Should You Delete Your Kid’s TikTok This Week?
WBUR: The Pandemic Left More Kids Feeling Suicidal. One Mass. Teen Found Her Way Out Of The Dark
