Episode 363: Freeing the Mind: Non-Judgmental Strategies to Talk to Teens About Drugs and Mental Health with Dr. Meena Mirhom and Jasmine Kenney

This episode of the Addicted Minds podcast features a critical discussion on the escalating crisis of teen addiction and mental health, highlighting the vital work of the Free Mind Campaign. Host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jasmine Kenney from the CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention and Dr. Meena Mirhom from Athletes for Hope, who detail the necessity of addressing substance misuse among young people aged 12 to 17. The guests explain that mental health struggles—fueled by social pressures, bullying, and social media—often lead teens to self-medicate with increasingly potent and accessible substances, including highly concentrated cannabis, illegal vapes, and fentanyl-laced drugs. The conversation stresses the need for non-judgmental support from trusted adults and peers to break the cycle of shame and isolation.

The guests showcase the innovative approaches used by the Free Mind Campaign and Athletes for Hope to reach youth. Jasmine Kenney outlines the CDC's mobile-friendly resources for parents, like conversation cards and an interactive graphic novel for teens, designed to facilitate dialogue and education. Dr. Mirhom explains how partnering with celebrity athletes provides powerful role models who use their platforms to talk openly about mental health and healthy coping strategies, demonstrating to young people that "it's okay to not be okay" and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that hope and effective mental health treatment are available to help youth navigate these challenges and build a supportive ecosystem across their communities.

Key Discussion Points

• The Problem: Addiction and overdose deaths are at an epidemic level among young people.
• Real-World Impact: Dr. Mirhom shares firsthand accounts of seeing individuals struggling with substance use in communities near where they were holding discussions with middle schoolers, highlighting that this is not an abstract issue for teens.
• Accessibility: Substances, some similar in compound to heroin, are readily accessible—sometimes even at local delis—to young people, with some as young as 11 being asked to carry drugs.

🧠 The Free Mind Campaign (CDC)

• Objective: The campaign addresses substance use and mental health issues among teens aged 12 to 17.
• Strategy: Provide non-judgmental resources to facilitate conversations:
• Teens talking to parents/caregivers.
• Parents/caregivers talking to teens.
• Teens talking to friends/peers.
• Core Issue: Research found that mental health is a major underlying issue, with teens often turning to drugs to cope with pressures from social media, bullying, and mental health struggles.
• Resources for Parents/Caregivers:
• Conversation starters for parents.
• A mobile-friendly card game to guide discussions (starting with mental health, moving to substance use, and ending with open-ended questions).
• Fact sheets to ensure parents are knowledgeable.

🤝 Partnering with Athletes for Hope

• The Power of Role Models: Dr. Mirhom emphasizes the profound impact of having star athletes and Olympians share their stories. Hearing from an admired figure about the importance of "keeping my mind free" resonates more strongly with teens than simply being told drugs are bad.
• Modeling Coping Skills: Athletes demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms, encouraging youth to adopt those strategies rather than self-medication.
• Support Ecosystem: The campaign aims to create a supportive environment involving peers, parents, and coaches. Athletes for Hope is developing resources for coaches on how to talk about these issues, recognizing that coaches are often the first trusted adult a young person turns to.

🧪 Substance Use Trends and Concerns

• Highly Potent Substances: Fentanyl, even in micro-amounts, can be deadly and is often laced in other substances.
• Cannabis Use: Cannabis Use Disorder is increasingly the number one misused substance over alcohol among young people.
• Concerns include the high potency and risks of psychosis, increased anxiety, and depression.
• Studies suggest chronic use may lower IQ in developing brains.
• Vaping and New Trends: The market is flooded with illegal vapes specifically marketed toward teens (looking like video games, flavored like bubble gum). There's also a rise of addictive substances that appear to be harmless, referred to as "gas station heroin."

💡 The Messaging and Hope

• Non-Judgmental Approach: The conversation starts by acknowledging the pain that leads to substance use ("there's a wound that's being addressed") and validating the teen's experience, making the adult an ally.
• Treatment Works: Dr. Mirhom stressed the importance of knowing that mental health treatment is very effective and that hope is concrete and available.
• Key Takeaway for Teens/Parents:
• Jasmine Kenney: "It's okay to not be okay. Reach out. There's support out there."
• Dr. Meena Mirhom: "Treatment can help you get there... hope is here for you. This is not a burden you've got to carry by yourself."

🔗 Resources

CDC Free Mind Campaign Resources:cdc.gov/freemind

• Free Mind Campaign: cdc.gov/freemind (Resources include the card game, graphic novel, fact sheets for parents and teens).

Athletes for Hope: https://www.athletesforhope.org/ (Information on athlete well-being, mental health resources, and ways to get involved in sports and philanthropy).

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