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Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Release Date: 03/04/2025

Ep. 232: Turning Kids’ Passions and Enthusiasms into Superpowers with Barry Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (Re-Air)

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are doing a reairing this week of of Diverse Thinking Different Learning in which we talked with . This episode is being revisited at a perfect time because this is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. In this episode, Dr. Prizant helps us understand why it’s important to stop labeling certain behaviors in children as intentional defiance or difficulty. Dr. Barry Prizant is a speech-language pathologist with nearly five decades of experience working with individuals with autism and their families. He serves as a Visiting Scholar at Brown University and directs Childhood Communication...

Ep. 231: How to Use Students’ Interest and Creativity to Enhance Learning with Victoria Waller, Ed.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are so happy to be welcoming back to the podcast this episode. Dr. Waller is a seasoned reading specialist and educational therapist with more than four decades of experience helping children with learning differences, especially ones who teachers have sadly given up on. She is the author of , a finalist for the Foreword Reviews Best Book of the Year in 2022, and has received multiple accolades for her contributions to education. Holding advanced degrees in reading and learning differences, she has shared her expertise nationwide and internationally via speaking engagements and on...

Ep. 230: Executive Functioning & Navigating the Yearly Calendar with Michelle Porjes

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are honored to welcome returning guest Michelle Porjes to the show for this episode. Michelle is a licensed educational psychologist and credentialed school psychologist in California with over twenty-five years of experience in education. She holds advanced degrees in Educational and School Psychology from the University of Denver and the University of South Florida, specializing in learning, emotional, and behavioral assessments, as well as teacher coaching and program development. Michelle runs an executive function practice and has authored two e-books on the topic. Michelle joins us in...

Ep. 229: Boosting a Child’s Autonomy with Self-Care Routines with Kristin Lombardi, MA, BCBA & Christine Drew, PhD, BCBA-D

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning, we are excited to welcome two guests - Kristin Lombardi, MA, BCBA and Christine Drew, PhD, BCBA-D! Kristin Lombardi, MA, BCBA, is a behavior analyst specializing in helping children and families build independent living skills through her private practice in Locust Valley, New York. With expertise in special education, psychology, and behavior analysis, Kristin supports individuals from early childhood through young adulthood, customizing her approach to a range of developmental and support needs. Dr. Christine Drew, PhD, BCBA-D, is an...

Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are excited to have Samantha Levy, PhD join the show again this week to discuss Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Dr. Samantha Levy is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders. She uses a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional struggles, working with children, families, and parents to help them align the mind and body for improved functioning. Dr. Levy also runs parent groups, writes a parenting blog for , and works as a psychologist for Whole Child LA. Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which often...

Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by . Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, , explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age. In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in...

Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we are happy to have Dr. Chandni Singh on the show. Dr. Singh is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing evidence-based assessments and tailored treatment recommendations, and she strongly focuses on serving culturally and ethnically diverse communities. At West LA Neuropsychology, PC, she specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for young children and comprehensive assessments...

Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we welcome Shelley Woon to the conversation. Shelley is a dedicated educator and school leader with over three decades of experience supporting students, families, and staff in overcoming learning challenges. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership, has specialized qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and serves as Head of School at and Superintendent of Special Education. Shelley values the brain-learning connection and is committed to helping others unlock their potential. Shelley joins us to explore how we can move beyond compensatory strategies...

Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Following up on last week’s episode, we are joined once again by , M.D. to further discuss the complex issue of medicating children with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and if you missed part 1 of the discussion, be sure to go back and listen to that before diving into part 2! In this continuation of our discussion, Dr. Steinberg sheds more light on the approach that is required when considering medication, stressing that a thoughtful evaluation is important before immediately jumping to medical solutions. Dr. Steinberg offers some insights into the FDA-approved medications,...

Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by , M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia. Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents...

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We are joined this week by Dr. Meredith Gansner. Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, Teen Depression Gone Viral, explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age.

In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in teens, something that has been on the rise especially in today’s digital age. She sheds some light on how adolescent depression often looks different from adult depression, sometimes showing up as irritability, aggression, or even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach pain. She helps us break down why it’s so important for parents to recognize these signs early on and seek professional support instead of just dismissing them as typical teenage behavior.

Dr. Gansner also examines the relationship between social media and mental health. While some teens find support online, others are exposed to harmful content that can reinforce unhealthy coping mechanisms and worsen or even cause poor mental health. She offers some practical advice on improving digital media literacy, setting boundaries, and developing safety plans to help young people engage with the internet and social media in a way that is not detrimental to their well-being.

Dr. Gansner also discusses effective treatments for teen depression, stressing a multi-faceted approach including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication when appropriate. She also clarifies the differences between suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-injury, offering guidance on how parents and caregivers can respond with the right level of support. With a focus on family-based strategies, this conversation with Dr. Meredith Gansner helps provide insightful information for anyone looking to strengthen emotional resilience in today’s teenagers!

Show Notes:

[2:13] - Dr. Gansner reflects on initially feeling optimistic about addressing mental health in youth online but grew frustrated.
[5:56] - The youth mental health crisis peaked during COVID and remains a pressing issue.
[6:23] - Depression is a physiological illness with many contributing risk factors.
[8:03] - Teen depression often manifests as irritability or anger, making it harder for parents to recognize.
[11:29] - Some children with depression experience physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
[13:08] - Hear about the inspiration behind the title of Dr. Gansner’s book.
[15:53] - Social media spreads both helpful and harmful information about depression, requiring careful oversight and guidance.
[18:32] - Social media can both support and worsen teens' mental health, creating harmful echo chambers.
[19:26] - Dr. Gansner feels that rather than banning social media, teaching digital literacy can help children take on harmful content.
[21:40] - Teaching teens responsible internet use with guidance, like learning to drive, helps ensure safer engagement.
[24:43] - What are some of the best ways to treat depression in teens?
[27:31] - Parents often struggle to differentiate suicidal thoughts from non-suicidal self-injury in teens.
[28:05] - Dr. Gansner explains that non-suicidal self-injury involves self-harm without suicidal intent, often as a distress signal or coping mechanism.
[31:21] - Simply telling teens to "just stop" self-harm can lead to shame, worsening depression and leading to a harmful cycle.
[33:17] - Improving sleep is important for teens' emotional resilience, helping prevent impulsive decisions and risky behaviors.
[36:58] - Parents limiting their own screen use helps depressed teens feel supported and less isolated.
[38:38] - Be sure to get Dr. Gansner’s book at a discounted price here!

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Boston Children’s Hospital - Meredith Gansner

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