1 in 5 Kids Are Struggling: Are You Ignoring The Warning Signs? With Dr. Zee
Welcome back to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal! Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals.
In this powerful episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal sits down with Child Psychiatrist Dr. Zee (Dr. Zabina Bhasin) to explore one of today’s most urgent healthcare challenges: how to support your child’s mental health in a digital, high-pressure world. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!
- Episode Summary & Player
- Show Notes
- Learn more about Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- Learn more about Dr. Meenal Agarwal
Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #81: 1 in 5 Kids Are Struggling: Are You Ignoring The Warning Signs? With Dr. Zee
In this powerful episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Child Psychiatrist Dr. Zee (Dr. Zabina Bhasin) to explore one of today’s most urgent healthcare challenges: how to support your child’s mental health in a digital, high-pressure world.
From social media addiction to identity struggles and emotional overwhelm, this conversation dives deep into what every parent, teacher, and healthcare provider needs to know about the modern mental health crisis in children and teens. Rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral struggles in kids and teens have skyrocketed over the past decade and many families feel lost on where to start.
Together, Dr. Meenal and Dr. Zee uncover practical, science-backed strategies to help you guide your child toward better mental health, stronger communication, and emotional resilience. They emphasize that adults are here to create a world with children, not for them, a mindset shift that can transform communication, trust, and daily routines for the next generation.
This episode is for you if you’ve ever asked:
❓“How do I support my child’s mental health in this new digital world?”
❓“Why does my child spend so much time online and how do I help them disconnect?”
❓“How come my child doesn’t seem like themself?”
At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal shines a light on the hidden struggles of healthcare—bringing powerful conversations around self-advocacy, healthcare education, mental health, wellness, and healthcare innovations that help us live longer, fuller lives.
Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- How to bridge the communication gap between adults and children
- Why teachers are a key part of your child’s mental health support team
- The hidden dangers of screen addiction and how ignoring it can lead to aggressive behaviors
- How to create technology “laws” in your home
- How to build trust and connection with your child
Learn more about Dr. Zee aka Dr. Zabina Bhasin on Instagram & TikTok @DrZee_MD
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.
Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.
Show Notes
- 1 in 5 Kids Are Struggling: Are You Ignoring The Warning Signs? With Dr. Zee
- [0:56] Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- [01:55] How childhood has changed over the last 10-15 years
- [03:51] Mental health is shifting: moving beyond diagnostic labels
- [05:15] The problem with labeling generations and children
- [09:30] Communication breakdown between parents and kids
- [11:51] The role of teachers and educators in guiding children
- [15:29] Teaching emotional regulation at different ages
- [19:58] Creating safe spaces for family communication
- [21:19] The importance of routines and boundaries
- [23:16] Technology and phones: setting household rules
- [26:50] Kids having smartphones: boundaries and digital literacy
- [29:54] Breaking phone addiction: tough love approaches
- [32:51] Red flags parents should watch for in their children
- [37:14] Starting conversations: asking the right questions
- [40:24] Youth don't trust adults: rebuilding connection
- [43:17] The future of mental health for the next generation
- [45:14] Dr. Zee's mission: advocating for youth, not parenting advice
- [47:13] Listen to the Kids: peer-to-peer counseling program
- Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
- Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov
What is Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal?
Thanks for listening to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal. Being an eye doctor makes life easy, right? Not so fast. Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals. In each episode, you will face reality and vulnerability. You’ll hear how to manage your wellbeing, culture, and physical and mental health. You’ll also navigate self-improvement and professional development, all while uncovering innovation in patient care from experts in our healthcare system. Let’s do this while keeping it “real” and authentic. Hosted by Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Expert Optometrist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mom of 3.
Who is Dr. Meenal Agarwal?
With three clinics in Toronto and sought-after experience, Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an expert in vision and eyecare innovation. She is a leading voice on patient care, technology, professional development, and wellness in the healthcare industry.