Fresno 'Wellness Wednesday' spot warns on AI's impact on kids' mental health

Key Takeaways

YourCentralValley’s July 23 “Wellness Wednesday” focused on AI tools and child mental health.
Fresno County Behavioral Health directs families to its 24/7 Access Line at 1-800-654-3937.
A recent national survey found about 12% of struggling youth use generative AI for emotional support.
Local clinicians urge parents to ask kids how they use chatbots and to set privacy controls.

At 5 p.m., the Fresno sun still read 98 degrees. YourCentralValley used its weekly “Wellness Wednesday” slot to raise a fast-moving question for parents here: how AI chatbots and schoolwork tools are colliding with kids’ sleep, stress, and what they share online. Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health, the county’s mental health provider, is already fielding calls that include chatbot concerns, according to its public-facing guidance.

The segment is aimed at parents trying to figure out what is safe, what isn’t, and where to start. That is the nut of it.

What the segment covered

The spot walked through the basics in plain language: know what apps your child uses, check what data the app collects, and ask your kid to show you how a chatbot responds to tough topics like self-harm, bullying, or sexual content. The piece also noted that AI can help with studying or organization when adults stay involved and set ground rules. Parents were urged to keep devices out of bedrooms overnight and to set privacy controls before problems show up.

What local providers advise

Fresno County Behavioral Health points families to its 24/7 Access Line, 1-800-654-3937, for screening and referrals, including for children and teens. Valley-based clinicians also tell parents to ask open-ended questions, sit with younger kids during first use, and review app settings together. A recent national survey from Surgo Health reported roughly 12% of youth who already struggle with mental health say they turn to generative AI to talk about their feelings, which is a reminder to ask who your child confides in and when.

Hard questions, but ones that beat silence.

Where to get help

If you need immediate help, county officials say the Access Line is the fastest way into care. School counselors and district wellness staff can help once classes resume in August, and pediatricians can rule out sleep or medical issues that make anxiety worse. For specialty care, Valley Children’s and community clinics in Fresno and Clovis list child therapists who can coordinate with schools. Parents in Madera or Tulare counties can call their county behavioral health lines for the same services, the model is similar even if the numbers differ.

The “Wellness Wednesday” segment lands in a summer when parents are also juggling work and heat. A fridge magnet with that 800 number next to the lunch schedule can help when the conversation finally opens up.

Central Valley AI is produced by the CVAI Newsdesk team and developed by Kaweah Tech, a regional firm that builds, deploys, and integrates AI solutions for businesses across California's Central Valley.

Source

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/wellness-wednesday/ai-impact-child-mental-health/