Research in the U.S. Highlights the Importance of Quality Sleep for Adolescent Mental Health
According to a study conducted in the United States, getting enough sleep is crucial for the mental health of high school-aged children. Andrew Fuligni, a psychology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, stated that instead of banning cell phones, schools should focus on helping adolescents get more sleep to improve their mental health. Fuligni pointed out that there is a substantial amount of research indicating that poor sleep negatively affects well-being, and he noted that this connection is often overlooked in the ongoing debates about cell phones and social media.
Fuligni emphasized that over the past 15 years, adolescents in the U.S. have been getting less sleep, and he highlighted that the issue of sleep has not been adequately addressed in national mental health discussions. According to Fuligni, adolescents who do not get enough sleep face not only mental health problems but also other health risks, such as attention deficits, behavioral issues, obesity, and diabetes. To promote healthy sleep habits, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stressed that schools should guide families in creating better sleep environments. The AAP explained that achieving good mental health is associated with establishing correct sleep habits—such as regular bedtimes and avoiding screens—rather than merely allowing more sleep time. The AAP recommended that schools in the U.S. should not start before 8:30 a.m. to ensure that adolescents get quality sleep.
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