NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Spring has sprung in Middle Tennessee. The sun is setting later and our FOX17 News Code Red forecast doesn’t have any signs of wicked winter weather. But mental health concerns increase this time of year for some kids and Youth Villages is trying to help parents and caregivers know what to look out for.
Youth Villages is a local group you might see help students and families with their “Backpack Heroes” and “Holiday Heroes” campaigns helping get school supplies and Christmas presents into kid’s hands. The group also helps foster children and has resources for families dealing with the issue we’re covering today: mental health.
Crisis Program Manager Ashton Kleekamp tells FOX17 News’ Johnny Maffei that upcoming tests, other end-of-school year pressures, and technology can spark mental health issues this time of year. Kleekamp says you should watch out for behavioral changes and make sure to check in with things going on in kid’s lives.
What about turning to artificial intelligence for help? Here’s what Kleekamp had to say on AI:
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“I think the biggest thing to know is AI is not a trained professional. So a lot of times when kiddos are reaching out to AI, they’re seeking advice, they are looking for a companionship, and AI can kind of enforce some of those negative behaviors, those negative thoughts, whereas, you know, a trained professional, we can go in and we can help reframe those thoughts. We can teach them coping skills, let them know how to process and work through those feelings, whereas AI might just be validating that in the wrong kind way. Humans are going to pick up on so much more than, than AI is being there. There’s nothing like being there and being in person with someone. Having that trained professional have eyes on your kids, too. Because a lot of times we can, we can tell a difference in, in just their demeanors as well, as counselors, we really pay attention to, um body language, the way you’re sitting and presenting yourself. And just different nonverbal cues that an AI bot would not catch on.”