Claritycon 2023 : summit for advocates of children's mental health

SAN ANTONIO - Hundreds attended this year’s Claritycon 2023, which kicked off Thursday at the JW Marriott.

It’s a summit for advocates of children’s mental health.

Since the pandemic, professionals like mental health professionals, educators, and guidance counselors say children have been struggling with isolation which has led to depression and high anxiety. The two-day summit had breakout sessions focusing on how children spending too much time on social media contributes to those mental health issues.

Dr. William Guy a Child Psychologist for Clarity says, “Online platforms that obviously got very exacerbated during the pandemic."

Dr. Guy has been attending Claritycon for many years. He says children in transition ages, those headed from elementary to middle school or middle to high school had a harder time going back to school post-pandemic.

"The adjustment back to try and resume normal life was very difficult," says Dr. Guy.

It's the 10 anniversary for clarity con, new this year nurses they're part of the 400 attendees part of this year’s summit.

"We have over 30 breakout sessions over the two-day conference everything from signs to human trafficking to what if your kid doesn't want to go to school," says Jessica Knudsen CEO and President of Clarity Child Guidance Center

Screen time was an important discussion because she adds studies show that there is a direct correlation to depression and anxiety with too much of it.

"An hour is probably appropriate for elementary school children, and looking at what's appropriate as they get older," says Knudsen.

Knudsen says from 2019 to 2022, Clarity Guidance Center has seen a 19% increase of kids getting admitted because of suicidal thoughts, and an increase of 162% of walk-ins to their 24 hour crisis center. Dr. Guy encourages parents to reduce isolative activities for their kids.

“Youth to figure out what experiences they want, where they will be comfortable around others. It doesn't have to be sports, but it can be clubs,” says Dr. Guy.

For more information on Claritycon 2023 click here