The Felicity-Franklin Youth Leadership students created a thirty-second video to raise awareness for youth mental health as part of the Breaking the Silence campaign, hosted by the Joe Burrow Campaign in partnership with other local organizations. In the video, seventh- through 12th-grade students identified the most prominent factors impacting their mental health from the unique perspective of adolescents living in rural Clermont County. During the filming process, a recurring theme of social media’s impact emerged, with four of the seven students featured highlighting this issue.

Though not included in the video, students also engaged in a conversation about the specific effects that social media has on their mental health. Felicity-Franklin senior Elizabeth McLachan shared, “It controls my time even though I don’t always like what social media stands for.” Other negative effects included poor sleep due to unregulated screen time, insecurity from looking at photoshopped influencers, and the negativity of cyberbullying and drama. When asked how they manage the impact of social media, Felicity-Franklin senior Kaiden Brandenburg said, “I try to separate it from my daily life and not make it everything. I try to talk with my friends and ask for opinions on it.”

By sharing their personal experiences through participation in the Breaking the Silence campaign, these young leaders have underscored the significant effects of social media on their well-being. As mental health continues to be a critical issue for young people, their voices serve as a reminder of the importance of continued dialogue, support, and resources to help young people manage the impact of social media and other challenges in their lives.

In response to the students’ efforts, Felicity Superintendent Bob Walker shared: “To the students involved in creating this video, I truly appreciate your commitment and dedication to student mental health and well-being. Promoting ‘988’ raises awareness of the accessibility of this critical support in our school community and helps us continue to foster a compassionate and resilient community. This is a great example of how you apply one of my favorite sayings: ‘You Matter, You Make a Difference, Make it a Positive One!’”

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the students are looking forward to promoting positive mental health and highlighting 988 Lifeline in their community. 988 Lifeline is a free, confidential number to support individuals in accessing mental health crisis services. For more information, visit 988lifeline.org.

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