Laila M. Casiano

Author Archives: Laila M. Casiano

Mental health experts highlight youth mental health concerns amid TikTok ban vote

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Laila M. Casiano

‘TikTok has changed how children consume social media as it is now endless.’

Delta Digital News Service

April 4, 2024

JONESBORO, Ark. – Amidst a unanimous decision by the U.S. House of Representatives to ban TikTok nationwide, mental health experts discuss concerns over social media’s negative impact on young people’s well-being.

The use of TikTok created a point of contention in the United States, with national security concerns being the primary reason for its potential ban. Yet, additionally, state lawmakers raised concerns about the impact of social media, particularly TikTok, on the mental health of young people. This resulted in the implementation of age parental consent policies. However, the importance to question whether TikTok specifically is a genuine concern for young people’s mental health decline remains crucial.

“Research shows that teens are spending upwards of five plus hours a day consuming social media (such as TikTok and YouTube), and one of the most relevant links has been girls’ social media use and loss of confidence,” Daniel Wysocki, a licensed psychological examiner for Wysocki Psychological Services, said.

“Research shows that teens are spending upwards of five plus hours a day consuming social media (such as TikTok and YouTube), and one of the most relevant links has been girls’ social media use and loss of confidence.”
Daniel Wysocki

Wysocki identified social media as significantly shaping the mental health of young people outside of family dynamics. According to the 2023 Girl’s Index, 57% of girls reported social media influence on their desire to change their appearance and to plummet their self-confidence by falling under social pressures to “feel pretty.”

However, this does not just affect young girls; Wysocki advises parents to be alert to teenage boys’ growing distress with their physical appearance.

“In my practice, I’ve observed an increase in distress and obsession with appearance among young men compared to earlier years of my practice,” Wysocki said.

Wysocki said as a provider, he offers Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) testing and experienced many people coming into his clinic based on TikTok recommended videos to identify ADHD tendencies or through ADHD “hack” videos. Wysocki notes an additional positive outlook as he is also seeing young people’s social media usage encouraging teens to seek help and to learn how they can lead a promising life, reducing the stigma of asking for support/help and talking with mental health professionals about their wellness.

“TikTok has changed how children consume social media as it is now endless,” Wysocki said. “It is no longer a connection to friends and acquaintances; it has expanded into every aspect of daily life, and they can live vicariously alongside their favorite influencer. TikTok is (still) the leader in creating an endless loop of consumable snacks.”

Wysocki said critics may not address the root causes of mental health issues among the youth and should at least offer alternatives.

“There are no simple answers to most of the issues we are facing when raising our children, but free and endless access to unrestricted social media is a big enough risk to developing minds that regulation should be considered. It would be no different than a license to drive a vehicle,” Wysocki said.

As Wysocki highlighted the transformative nature of TikTok on social media consumption, JoAnne Powell, a licensed professional counselor from Elysian Counseling Service, discussed the nuanced complexities surrounding TikTok’s impact, emphasizing both positive and negative attributes.

Powell claims that connection, support, access to information, expression and creativity highlight these positive attributes of the social media app. The negatives consist of young people comparing themselves or fearing missing out (FOMO). This often manifests itself in creating an “unrealistic portrayal of life” and leads to teens feeling inadequate, inhibiting low self-esteem and FOMO. Other negatives Powell recites are cyberbullying, addiction, distraction (decreased senses of productivity, poor sleep quality, increased feelings of loneliness and isolation) and validation seeking (manifest in difficulties in creating boundaries).

“Teaching youth ritual thinking skills and media literacy can help them navigate social media more responsibly and discern between accurate information and harmful content,” Powell said. “While social media has the potential to positively impact the mental health of youth, it is essential to address the negative consequences and implement strategies to promote responsible and healthy usage.”

Powell said through her professional observations, she noticed an increase in young people’s anxiety, stress, their sense of negative self-perception, and an impact on social and interpersonal relationships, which affected other social skills like trust, conflict resolution and basic communication skills.

In therapy sessions, Powell said exploring these observations with clients help them develop better coping strategies, build resilience and cultivate a healthier relationship with social media.

“This may involve psychoeducation on the impact of social media on mental health, teaching stress management techniques, fostering self-compassion and promoting a balance in online and offline activities,” Powell said.

In line with Powell’s emphasis on compressive approaches to addressing social media’s effects, Jessica Richardson, licensed clinical social worker and therapist for The Best Of You, discussed the importance of maintaining open communication and setting boundaries with youth to ensure their safety and well-being in the social media world.

“As a therapist and parent of a teen, I understand it’s difficult to navigate that area between respecting privacy while also trying to protect them. I think that modeling appropriate behavior and interactions could be a good start,” Richardson said. “So many people behave in ways that startle me a bit on social media. I’m not sure why we would expect kids to avoid things like bullying when many adults do it.”

Richardson said it’s important to provide education related to safety and moderation rather than rely on government regulations on certain social media platforms. Additionally, she said social media may not be the singular cause of mental health concerns and banning a specific platform isn’t going to resolve the issue.

“For some, the concerns might be directly related to mental health, and for others, there could just be benefits to limiting the use of screens/technology in general,” Richardson said. “I think we can acknowledge the positive aspects of being connected through social media and the creative options that it provides while also being responsible with it and its use.”

As Richardson highlights the nuanced perspectives on social media usage, the pending decision on the national TikTok ban emphasizes the ongoing battle of balancing social media’s benefits and potential risks, like TikTok, in modern society.

The platform’s future remains unclear until the Senate votes for the national TikTok ban, but President Joe Biden announced he would sign the bill once it is sent to him. For now, the bill resides with the Senate Commerce Committee until the six-month deadline for TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to either sell the company from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or be banned nationwide.

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Laila Casiano is a junior in the multimedia journalism program in the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She can be reached at: laila.casiano@smail.astate.edu

NOTE: Feature graphic courtesy of Ampfluence

Agee delivers the State of the City address during council meeting

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Laila M. Casiano

Address focuses on community, city progress and policy

Delta Digital News Service

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

By Laila Casiano | Contributor

PARAGOULD, Ark. — Paragould Mayor Josh Agee delivered the State of the City address during Monday’s city council meeting. The speech commended the city’s growth and progress by focused on the community, improvements and future policy agendas for 2024-2025.

Before Agee delivered the speech, the council approved the 2023 Amended Annual Budget, where estimated revenues and bank balances totaled $56.62 million dollars, appropriation figures (expenditures and transfers out) totaled $31.89 million dollars and unappropriated funds totaled to $24.73 million dollars.

The department expenditures and totals were as follows: Airport ($1.237 million); emergency 911 ($1.625 million); fire department ($4.065 million); police ($5.331 million); sanitation ($2.435 million); jail ($36,844); mosquito control ($171,074.92); parks and recreation ($2.975 million) and the administration and miscellaneous department (health office, insurance, postage, radio expenses, uniforms, utilities, etc.) expenditures totaled to $7.253 million.

General fund totaled $16.65 million and street fund totaled $8.42 million. Most expenditures went to Paragould’s public safety, enchanting Agee’s sentiment on the city’s growth, progress, and development.

“As the city of Paragould embraces the start of a new year, the momentum of 2023 has set the stage for continued growth and prosperity,” Agee said. “We will continue to meet challenges head-on and work diligently to improve our future with a spirit of community and a commitment to progress.”

“As the city of Paragould embraces the start of a new year, the momentum of 2023 has set the stage for continued growth and prosperity. We will continue to meet challenges head-on and work diligently to improve our future with a spirit of community and a commitment to progress.”
Paragould Mayor Josh Agee

The address highlighted Paragould’s economic landscape in 2023, noting significant strides in infrastructure developments. Key projects such as the Community Pavilion, the fire and police training facility, the workforce development center named The G.I.N and the “largest” public/private partnership powered by the First National Bank, called The Station, enhanced the community landscape and growth.

The contribution of new residents moving to Paragould impacted the city’s median income (the highest recorded in history according to the Census Bureau).

Agee spoke about Paragould’s Code Enforcement, highlighting 1,214 worked cases and 1,153 property clean-ups, including 51 junk vehicles and 35 property condemnation cases. The Code Enforcement showed a renewed focus on unlicensed salvage yards and the creation of a land bank commission last year, establishing three areas known as the Overlay Districts, which aimed to revitalize existing legacy neighborhoods.

Street infrastructures, managed by the Public Works Department, are dedicated to maintaining and improving essential infrastructure to ensure safety, functionality and quality of life for Paragould residents.

In 2023, Paragould’s fire department made critical advancements and contributions to public safety by acquiring a new 107-foot aerial truck and adding a 3,840 square-foot fire/police training facility for training exercises, drills and simulation. The fire department achieved excellence in emergency response, community engagement and improvements in service delivery despite being understaffed by 24 personnel, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s standards.

The State of the City address also covered other areas such as the police department, 911 center, planning and development offices, the airport, parks and recreation, downtown revitalization and economic development.

Additionally, Agee praised the contributions made by department heads who handle Paragould’s community and development. Paragould City Clerk Andrea Williams expressed pride in the proactive nature of department heads.

“Every department head is very proactive. They are all very financially sound and make it a priority to make the city the best that they can, not just financially, but for the quality of life for our citizens,” Williams said.

Mark Rowland, Ward 1 Position 1, expressed gratitude towards the financial heads of the department for their work in 2023.

“We’ve done a good job managing finances. I think the mayor has done a good job taking care of what the mayor takes care of,” Rowland said.

Paragould’s State of the City reflected dedication to progress.

In other business, the city council members:

Approved a resolution to declare a building and/or structure within the corporate limit of the city of Paragould
Approved a resolution to condemn a building located at 303 N. 15th Ave.

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NOTE: Feature photo shows from left, Ward 4, Position 1 Neal Adams; Ward 2, Position 1 Dustin Ramsey; Ward 2, Position 1 Jeremy Biggs; Ward 1, Position 1 Mark Rowland; City Attorney Robert Thompson; Mayor Josh Agee; City Clerk Andrea Williams; Ward 2, Position 2 Susan Williams; Ward 2, Position 2 Pat Austin; Ward 3, Position 2 Jackie Branch; Ward 4, Position 2 Brad Baine.

Government

Hope Found NEA hosts 4th annual Date Night With A Purpose

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Laila M. Casiano

Event fundraiser combats human trafficking

Delta Digital News Service

Monday, Feb. 26, 2024

By Laila Casiano | Contributor

JONESBORO, Ark. — Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas (NEA) recently celebrated its 4th Annual Date Night with a Purpose to raise funds to combat human trafficking, earning $21,717.74.

Co-founders Megan Brown, Audra King, Mary Sellers and Miranda Ballard founded the organization in 2018 to provide resources and services to individuals affected by human trafficking. They began a fundraiser event that would raise money for these services.

“The idea is that you can enjoy a fine-dining meal from your home,” Brown, the executive director of HopeFoundNEA, said. “We partnered with award-winning restaurants and chefs, and so for this year, we partnered with award-winning chef Dana Lamel and the award-winning bakery Southern Confections.”

“The idea is that you can enjoy a fine-dining meal from your home. We partnered with award-winning restaurants and chefs, and so for this year, we partnered with award-winning chef Dana Lamel and the award-winning bakery Southern Confections.”
Megan Brown, executive director and co-founder of HopeFoundNEA

On February 16, customers bought a ticket that would include two dinners and desserts to choose from. This year’s menu consisted of wild mushrooms and beef tip paste in a brown demi sauce, chicken Tuscan pasta, pasta primavera, served with an additional Caesar salad, homemade garlic bread and a cheesecake for dessert. The meals then would be delivered to the customers’ home (within a 25-mile radius of Jonesboro or an option for pickup) between 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The initial launch of Date Night with a Purpose happened in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing and Brown said it worked out perfectly and was a “huge success” for them.

“When we first started, we were looking for a fundraiser idea that hadn’t been done around here yet,” Brown said. “We had a partner (Ancora TN) and they do a similar fundraiser, and they call it the ‘No Show Ball,’ and so we quickly recognized that this type of fundraiser wasn’t done around here.”

HopeFoundNEA schedules three major fundraisers yearly, the first being Date Night with a Purpose, where the goal for this year’s fundraiser was $40,000.

In June, they have a motorcycle ride-in called “Riding Against Trafficking” in the Fall, they have a coffee festival. In these fundraiser events, they utilize volunteers to help execute those events. For Date Night, three volunteers —Sherrie Mitchell, Bridgette Craig and Paige Pickering — attended to help deliver the dishes to customers who bought a ticket.

Mitchell, a Jonesboro native and mother of Brown, helps her daughter with HopeFoundNEA and helps with their fundraiser events, holding a position as a member of the advisory board since 2018. Mitchell took charge over listings for delivery.

“We have sold tickets, and we have sponsors for this dinner,” Mitchell said. “This is just a great thing to help and support our program.”

Craig, a Brookland native and new to the board since October, began as a volunteer for the program’s coffee festival.

“We have a lot of community sponsors, so in addition to ticket sales, we have sponsors that will help fund and educate and fight against human trafficking,” Craig said.

Paige Pickering, a board member with HopeFoundNEA from Searcy, Arkansas, said this is her first Date Night with a Purpose event. The company that she’s employed by, Life Strategies Counseling Inc., sponsored events for HopeFoundNEA in the past.

“I have not been ‘boots-on-the-ground’ helping with this (before), so I am really excited,” Pickering said. “I am really excited to hopefully answer people’s questions and see what they can learn about our mission and generally being face-to-face with people.”

The money raised would be used to provide case management services for the survivors they serve. HopeFoundNEA currently employs one survivor advocate on their staff, and with this money, Brown hopes they can hire another one to serve more people.

HopeFoundNEA conducts many educational presentations for the community or those who want to learn about human trafficking. Last year they educated 5,000 individuals within the area. Recently, they have been teaching the youth about human trafficking through virtual reality (VR), where they have VR headsets to teach the students about the survivors of human trafficking. The Youth can essentially live through the eyes of the victim and learn how they can be “tricked and lured” into trafficking through a fictitious environment and circumstances.

Brown hopes that the community will become empowered and educated in knowing what signs to look out for regarding human trafficking.

“We are here, and human trafficking does happen here; a lot of people think that human trafficking is something that happens overseas or in big, larger cities, but unfortunately, it does happen here,” Brown said. “I want them to know that there is a program here that is meeting the need for these victims that are recovering from trafficking, and there is a program here that is providing education for the community.”

Donations are still open.

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NOTE: Feature photo shows from left, members of HopeFoundNEA, Bridgette Craig; Sherrie Mitchell; Paige Pickering

Committee adopts interlocal agreement for Craighead County-Jonesboro Public Library

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Laila M. Casiano

Agreement maintains shared expenses for library

Delta Digital News Service

Wednesday, February 21, 2023

By Laila Casiano | Contributor

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Public Service Committee of the Craighead County Quorum Court adopted an interlocal agreement between Craighead County and Jonesboro concerning the management and supervision of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library., Monday, Feb. 12.

The agreement maintains shared expenses for the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, solidifying terms and shared finances for the benefit of all citizens. This contractual arrangement supports the local library by assisting in maintenance and operations of the public library systems. Additionally, the committee adopted an ordinance between Craighead County and Poinsett County regarding library services.

“The committee essentially examined an agreement with Poinsett County and the city of Jonesboro to operate the library within a regional library setting that updates every five years,” District 13 Officer Kevin Williams said.

“The committee essentially examined an agreement with Poinsett County and the city of Jonesboro to operate the library within a regional library setting that updates every five years.”
District 13 Officer Kevin Williams

Last fall, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Craighead County Judge Marvin Day received an email from the public library staff requesting an update on the Interlocal Agreement between Craighead and Poinsett County. Day received a copy of the public library’s financial statement and noted the Craighead County Public Library was following an outdated Interlocal Agreement from 1941.

Day forwarded the financial records to Craighead County Attorney Kimberly Dale, and they were advised regarding issues in the language initially passed between Craighead County and Poinsett County.

The interlocal agreement between Jonesboro and Craighead County needs renewal and passage every five years, according to a new state law requiring agreements not to last more than five years without renewal or appropriate acknowledgment by governing bodies. Their attorney then began drafting a “bare-bones” ordinance.

“More than anything, we are trying to keep it as apolitical, non-political, as possible,” Day said. “We are just following state statutes and agreeing to partner with the city of Jonesboro or Poinsett County, however that may be, to provide these services for the people.”

Day reassured the committee that nothing will change, and that the agreement will essentially bring the Interlocal Agreement up to current state code. Regarding how things are run or how the library decides to govern itself, Day reiterated they are not attempting to change anything.

“Let’s just bring it up to the current codes and move forward,” Day said. “If someone wants to change something in the future, that’s great, but as of right now, we are doing the bare minimum of what we need for the agreement.”

The county and city will consider the capital contributions of each entity. They aim to establish the benefits of the library to its citizens and take legislative steps to ratify the agreement, effective from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027.

“At the end of the day, it’s an agreement between us,” said chair of the Public Service Committee and District 7 Officer Richard Rogers. “The library runs its own board to manage its own affairs, so it doesn’t fall on our lap.”

In other business, the quorum court:

Approved the road report for January 2024.
Approved a resolution expressing Craighead County’s willingness to utilize Federal-Aid monies for Highway 49/ County Roads 792 and 960 improvements.
Approved the annual report of the Hot Check program from the deputy’s prosecuting attorney’s office, pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated (ACA) 16-21-120(c).
Honored Barbara Weinstock, District 5 officer, for her 27 years of service as Justice of the Peace.

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NOTE: Featured photo shows from left, Public Service Committee Service members, Craighead County Judge Marvin Day; District 1 Officer Brad Noel; District 7 Officer and chair of the committee Richard Rogers; District 14 Officer Linda Allison; District 13 Officer Kevin Williams.

Government

Valley View School Board discusses progress on construction projects

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Laila M. Casiano

Board addresses 2-year construction project.

Delta Digital News Service

Thursday, February 8, 2024

By Laila Casiano | Contributor

JONESBORO, Ark. — The Valley View Public School Board addressed progress on a 2-year construction project aimed at building new classrooms, a wing in the intermediate school building and a new cafeteria.

Valley View Public Schools District initiated the construction project two years ago with expectations to complete the initial phases at the same time. The newly constructed STEM wing in the administration building finished in mid-July, just before the academic year began and the developments of the intermediate school wing, new cafeteria and 15 additional classrooms remain ongoing.

“It’s definitely not in an area that everybody knows about,” Valley View Superintendent . Roland Popejoy said. “It’s south of an existing building and is a much-needed addition for our growth, for our intermediate building that serves students in grades three through six.”

“It’s definitely not in an area that everybody knows about,” Valley View Superintendent Roland Popejoy said. “It’s south of an existing building and is a much-needed addition for our growth, for our intermediate building that serves students in grades three through six.”
Supt. Roland Popejoy, Valley View School District

Justin Shrable, project manager, and Adam Seitor, executive vice-president of operations at Nabholz Construction, attended the school board meeting to update progress.

“We finally got things moving well over there (the intermediate wing),” Shrable said. “Right now, we are back filling, painting dry walls and we finished the last pouring of concrete for the courtyard.”

Shrable and Seitor addressed an issue regarding a connection between the new addition and the existing structure, which proved unfeasible due to different materials being used. They collaborated with architects, their construction company and engineers to devise a solution accommodating the existing structure.

Unexpected delays occurred due to issues with the geothermal heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) field and existing utilities, postponing construction by a year and a half. Completion estimates suggest that one part of the cafeteria/classroom will finish in April, while the other will be completed in August.

The board also sought approval for a lawn care and grounds maintenance contract, along with a project to replace the bus fuel station.

“Lawn care is an area that we have been discussing over the last year or so,” Popejoy said. “Potentially looking to outsource that as opposed to having grounds served by the staff of Valley View but by a contractor provider.”

The approved contract will ensure well-maintained grounds without ongoing overhead maintenance. However, the bus fuel station in the Valley View bus depot currently holds an older diesel tank which does not meet the code requirements, in regards to containment. The Jonesboro fire marshall spoke to the board about needing to replace it.

They identified solutions by various contract providers (in diesel and fuel) but tabled the proposal for a replacement project because they want to be “good stewards of the communities’ tax-paying money,” and are looking at all available options before making a final decision.

Upon returning from executive session, the board approved superintendent evaluations and the superintendent’s contract extension.

In other business, the board:

Denied two student transfers due to capacity constraints.
Approved six personnel resignations.
Adopted the 2024-2025 school choice capacity resolution.
Approved Winter Arkansas School Board Association Model Policy.
Adopted a resolution to submit an inclement weather calendar waiver, in regards to calendar submission deadlines.
Adopted revisions and approved the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 calendars.
Adopted resolutions to submit Act 1240 waiver regarding early academic year entry.
Approved purchase of 150 band uniforms for the Valley View Public Schools’ marching band.

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NOTE: Featured photo shows from left, Valley View Public School Board members, Todd Reed, disbursing officer; Kristy Rowe, secretary; Sara Osment, assistant superintendent; Judy Clampit, chief financial officer; Roland Popejoy, superintendent; Richard Rogers, president; Lee Lane, vice president; Brant Tosh, Tyler Watkins and Ryan Gibson, alternate disbursing officer.