It’s Not Your Fault

64% of teens use AI chatbots, and 12% have turned to one for emotional support or advice. Only 18% of parents are comfortable with that. In this episode of It’s Not Your Fault, a Teen Mental Health Podcast, Brandon Jones breaks down new Pew Research findings on how teens ages 13 to 17 use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Copilot. He also covers the risks: wrong advice, relying on AI too much, and privacy exposure. Then he lays out three strategies for parents: get curious before you get critical, teach the difference between artificial empathy and real human support, and strengthen human connection instead of just taking the technology away. Have a question or an article to share? Reach Brandon at jegna.org. Find more episodes at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com. #ItsNotYourFault #TeenMentalHealth #AIandTeens #ParentingTeens #DigitalWellness #MentalHealthMatters #Chatbots #ParentingTips #HumanConnection #ShelettaMakesMeLaugh

“I’m fine.” “Nothing.” “It’s all good.” If those are the only answers you’re getting from your teen, this episode is for you. Brandon Jones draws on his own parenting journey with a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old to talk about why teens shut down and why their silence doesn’t mean they have nothing to say. He explains why today’s young people expect mutual respect, and he admits the times his own approach was part of the problem. Then he shares three strategies to build a stronger emotional connection: create opportunities instead of interrogations, stop assuming they want you to fix everything, and validate before you correct. There’s also one simple question you can ask: “Do you want me to just listen, or do you want my help?” #ItsNotYourFault #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #EmotionalConnection #RaisingTeens #MentalHealthMatters #ParentingTips #YouthMentalHealth #BrandonJones #ShelettaMakesMeLaugh

The latest CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows youth mental health has improved, but only slightly. Brandon Jones closes out his four-part series by digging into why: more resources, less stigma, and young people openly talking about depression and anxiety like never before. He also looks at how AI is becoming a source of comfort and connection for teens and adults alike. Then he shares his core idea: teen well-being doesn’t come from one perfect parent; it grows through pathways and networks of connected adults. Brandon gives four questions to ask the young people around you, plus practical ways parents, caregivers and youth workers can help them make healthier, safer choices.

The headlines say teen mental health is improving, but is it? In part three of his four part series, Brandon Jones digs into the CDC's latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey findings. The data shows real progress, but persistent sadness among teens hasn't moved, and ninth graders are struggling most. Brandon explains what that could mean for kids who spent their elementary years in the pandemic. He gives parents, caregivers, and youth workers three simple ways to open the door: name what you notice, express care, and invite honesty. You don't need perfect words. You need to notice, ask, listen, stay, and connect. If you or a young person in your life is struggling, call or text 988 anytime. #ItsNotYourFault #BrandonJones #TeenMentalHealth #Parenting #YouthMentalHealth #988 #ShelettaMakesMeLaugh

Brandon breaks down a new national survey showing teen mental health is actually improving, and it starts with the basics. In this episode he covers what the data says about food, sleep, and movement, why the "boring stuff" matters more than we think, and practical numbers on how much sleep your teen actually needs. This is the first in a four part series diving into what's really helping young people right now. Connect with Brandon at Jegna.org

Only 24% of high school students get at least 8 hours of sleep on a school night. That's less than a quarter of our kids getting the rest they need.
In part two of his four-part series on the CDC's latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Brandon Jones digs into rest, screens and safety. He breaks down the numbers on sleep, social media use and texting while driving, and explains why devices are still at the center of the conversation even as youth mental health improves.
Brandon also shares a real conversation he had with his almost 5 year old about online safety, and why collaboration works better than control when it comes to kids and devices. Swap "you're addicted to that phone" for questions that actually open the door to a conversation.
Parents, caregivers and youth workers, this one's for you. If it helps, share it with someone you care about.
Learn more about Brandon and send him topics to cover at https://jegna.org
#ItsNotYourFault #BrandonJones #TeenMentalHealth #ScreenTime #Parenting #YouthMentalHealth #ShelettaMakesMeLaugh

Boys are falling behind in school, and Brandon Jones says the mental health piece of that story isn't getting enough attention. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the widening education gap between boys and girls, from elementary school through college graduation rates, and explores how unaddressed mental health struggles, undiagnosed learning differences, and rigid expectations of masculinity all play a role. He looks at why boys are less likely to ask for help, more likely to be misdiagnosed or overlooked, and how schools and parents can start closing that gap without shaming either boys or girls in the process. This isn't about picking a side in a boys vs. girls debate; it's about making sure every kid gets what they actually need. Come think this through with Brandon. #ItsNotYourFaultPodcast #BrandonJones #BoysMentalHealth #EducationGap #TeenMentalHealth

Does your kid's school have a therapist, or just access to one? Brandon Jones breaks down the difference, and why it matters. In this episode, Brandon explains school-based mental health services (a therapist embedded in the school building) versus school-linked services (a provider who comes in from an outside agency). He covers where each type of care happens, how it's typically paid for, and the five critical questions every parent and caregiver should ask before their child starts services: who employs the provider, where sessions happen, what type of care they can deliver, who controls the records, and who's paying for it. Brandon also shares sobering numbers from a 2023 national survey on teen mental health, and explains why school counselors and school psychologists aren't the same as clinical therapists, a distinction that trips up a lot of parents. This is information every parent needs walking into this school year.

s your teen's mental health only about therapy and medication? Brandon Jones says it's time to widen the lens. In this episode of It's Not Your Fault, Brandon breaks down why mental health experts are moving toward a more holistic view of teens, one that looks at sleep, relationships, identity, school, technology use, and community, not just symptoms. He walks through why the old question ("How do I make sure my teen never has problems?") needs to become a new one: "How do I help my teen build the skills and support to navigate life's difficulties?" Brandon also gets personal, sharing exactly how he handles devices and sleep routines with his own kids at home, and previews an upcoming episode on school-based mental health services. This isn't about eliminating every hard thing your teen will face; it's about helping them move through it without being consumed by it. Come think this through with Brandon. #ItsNotYourFaultPodcast #BrandonJones #TeenMentalHealth #Parenting #HolisticHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #TeenParenting

Neurodivergence in teens does not look the same from one kid to the next, and that is exactly the problem when schools, parents, and even therapists expect it to. In this episode of It's Not Your Fault, host Brandon Jones sits down to unpack what it really means to support a neurodivergent teen through mental health challenges. From misread behaviors to missed diagnoses, this conversation gets into why so many young people are struggling in silence and what caregivers can do differently. This isn't just about understanding a diagnosis; it's about understanding a whole young person. Brandon brings the same honest, no judgment approach that makes this podcast a safe space for real conversations about parenting, mental health, and raising kids who feel truly seen.
#ItsNotYourFaultPodcast #BrandonJones #Neurodivergence #TeenMentalHealth #NeurodivergentYouth #ParentingTeens