Second Year Running: SEL4SC Brings Back Acclaimed Screenagers Film Series in 2024

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Right now, record numbers of young people are dealing with unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other mental health issues that can lead to negative — and often tragic — outcomes if not properly addressed.

With that in mind, the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina (SEL4SC) held multiple public and private screenings of the documentary films Screenagers Next Chapter and Screenagers Under the Influence in 2023, and will continue to do so in 2024.

Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience — a film that examines the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age. The Screenagers: Under the Influence documentary addresses vaping, drugs in the digital age and examines how technology shapes substance use by teenagers.

The next screening is to be held at Lucy Beckham High School located at 1560 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. The film Under the Influence will be shown on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and pizza, snacks and drinks are available beginning at 5:00 p.m. There will be a chance to win some amazing door prizes as well.

“These films are invaluable tools in helping parents and children have meaningful discussions about crucial mental and emotional health issues,” says Wendy Methvin, executive director of SEL4SC. “We are honored to have an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of families across South Carolina with this series.”

Screenagers uses a distribution model limited to community settings. This model brings parents, kids, teens, educators, and other professionals together to start a conversation about how the issues raised in the films impact their lives and what they can do about it. The films are primarily shown in schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and other local settings. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the screenings. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with a panel of experts.

Parents, students, educators, PTAs, religious organizations, medical practices, and workplace groups in South Carolina can book their own screenings of Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER and Under the Influence by contacting Wendy Methvin, Executive Director of SEL4SC at wmethvin@sel4sc.org.

SEL4SC is a 501c3 non-profit organization dependent on donations. They are looking for partners and donors to join them in promoting high-quality life skills education across South Carolina. Visit SEL4SC.org or contact them at info@sel4sc.org to learn how you can invest in the future of our state.

Screenagers Under the Influence Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR7uxuFqatY