Right now, record numbers of young people are dealing with unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other mental health issues that can lead to negative — and often tragic — outcomes if not properly addressed.
In response, the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina (SEL4SC) held more than a dozen public and private screenings of the documentary films “Screenagers Next Chapter” and “Screenagers Under the Influence” during the 2023-24 school year, and is continuing its screening series this fall.
SEL4SC is partnering with the Charleston County School District to present a screening of "Screenagers Under the Influence" on Tuesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Burke High School at 244 President Street in Charleston.
Created by filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston, “Screenagers Under the Influence” addresses vaping, drugs, and alcohol in the digital age, and examines how technology shapes substance use by teenagers. Each screening is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a Q&A session featuring mental health counselors, parenting experts, and education professionals.
“These events help parents and children have meaningful discussions about crucial mental and emotional health issues,” says Wendy Methvin, executive director of SEL4SC. “We are honored to have an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of families across South Carolina with this series.”
Screenagers uses a distribution model limited to community settings. This model brings parents, kids, teens, educators, and other professionals together to start a conversation about how the issues raised in the films impact their lives and what they can do about it. The films are primarily shown in schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and other local settings. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the events.
Parents, students, educators, PTAs, religious organizations, medical practices, and workplace groups in South Carolina can book their own screenings by contacting Wendy Methvin, Executive Director of SEL4SC at wmethvin@sel4sc.org.
Click here to read the 2023-24 SEL4SC Screenagers Series Impact Report.
Click here to learn more about the series.
