BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — During the State of the State address on Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced initiatives aimed at helping children and teenagers struggling with their mental health.
Some measures include establishing school-based mental health clinics for any school that wants one and limiting social media features that are harmful to the youth.
"It's rough, like I am trying to stay off of my phone sometimes. But it's like I got to check it. It's a normal thing for me," said 16-year-old Myah Durham. "A lot of drama comes from social media. It has been getting me into arguments and fights, but I've been trying to squash it."
Durham says social media can sometimes get deep.
"It's not even about drama. It's about bullying too," she said. "Kids are getting bullied through social media and it impacts their lives. They have deep depression and want to kill themselves."
Playing basketball after school helps Durham to spend some time off social media.
"That helped me too," said Durham. "Doing activities and playing sports because nine times out of ten I come home from practice and I'm tired. I just take a shower and go to bed."
Her mother, Le'Candice Durham, says there are times when she needs to take away her daughter's phone.
"I've noticed she does more school work, more chores around the house," she said. "And I've also noticed her interacting more with her siblings."
Another student, Jazmin Gilbert, says she's pleased to know that Governor Hochul is taking action to protect the mental health of children and teenagers.
"I do commend the governor for trying to protect our mental health because that’s very important," Gilbert says.
Gilbert has been training herself to not be on her phone so much because she sees the impact it's having on her generation.
"If we realize one of our classmates is down, we'll try to figure out what the problem is," she said. "We don't want to see anybody sitting to the side and having a frown on their face, so we try to uplift each other."
Parents, including Durham, want children and teenagers to know it's for their own good.
"We're not telling you anything to hurt you. We just want the best for you," she said. "Put the phone down for an hour or two. Go read a book, go study, and talk to your brothers and sisters. Don't be afraid to tell your kids that's enough for today."
