The Connection Between Sleep, Nutrition & Mental Health

Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy welcome experts Dr. Jason Kilmer, Maya Feller, and Caitlin Merlot to explore the powerful connection between sleep, nutrition, and mental health in young people. They discuss practical strategies parents can use to help their kids build healthier habits, how these habits influence substance use and emotional well-being, and the critical role schools and communities play in creating supportive environments. This episode is packed with expert insight, real-world advice, and actionable tools to help families foster balance, stability, and resilience in everyday life. Key Moments: 02:20 – The Impact of Sleep and Nutrition on Mental Health 03:14 – Challenges with Teen Sleep and Nutrition 06:53 – Strategies for Healthy Eating 20:12 – Addressing Food Insecurity 22:02 – Community Resources for Families 22:58 – Navigating the World of Supplements 25:34 – Role of Schools in Health Education 28:07 – Healthy Sleep Habits for Kids Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, where she and her team provide inclusive, culturally humble nutrition care for metabolic health, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. A national nutrition expert seen on Good Morning America, TODAY, and in The New York Times, Maya hosts the YouTube series Where Wellbeing Meets Flavor and is the author of Eating from Our Roots (goop Press). Website: mayafellernutrition.com Instagram: instagram.com/mayafellerrd YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCy_DdOEnyk_qWEv6zOsVtTA Dr. Jason R. Kilmer is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology. His work focuses on reducing harms associated with substance use among college students through research, prevention, and education. He has collaborated with more than 150 campuses nationwide and received multiple national awards for his contributions to the prevention field. Website: psychiatry.uw.edu/profile/jason-kilmer/ Caitlin Merlo is the Deputy Branch Chief for the Research Application and Evaluation Branch in the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She serves as the division’s lead for school nutrition, developing science-based guidance and providing expertise on improving school nutrition environments and supporting healthy eating among youth. Caitlin is a registered dietitian and holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Resources and tip sheets with practical strategies for improving school nutrition environments. cdc.gov/healthy-schools/parents/resources.html Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate best known for her roles on Full House and Fuller House. Her memoir, unSweetined, chronicles her journey through addiction and recovery, fueling her advocacy for substance use awareness. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin/ Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is the Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital’s Division of Addiction Medicine, specializing in adolescent substance use. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymccarthylicsw/ Boston Children’s Hospital Addiction Medicine: https://www.childrenshospital.org/departments/addiction-medicine Supporting Organizations: The Elks: With nearly one million members across 2,000 lodges, the Elks are dedicated to youth drug prevention through their Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DAP) program. They have donated over $3.6 billion to various causes, including the creation of the first VA hospital for veterans. Elks Drug Awareness Program Website: https://bit.ly/44SunO6 DEA: Established in 1973, DEA enforces U.S. controlled substance laws nationally and internationally, with offices around the globe. www.dea.gov Resources/Links: Resources and tip sheets with practical strategies for improving school nutrition environments. Website: cdc.gov/healthy-schools/parents/resources.html GetSmartAboutDrugs.com www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com Inspired Internet Pledge https://inspiredinternet.org/ DEA's Emoji Guide https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Emoji%20Decoded.pdf Hidden in Plain Sight Program https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Hidden%20in%20Plain%20Sight.pdf DEA on Instagram: www.instagram.com/deahq Elks Kid Zone Website: https://bit.ly/3s79Zdt