September 16-20: Student Sleep Health Week
The Children’s Cabinet of West Kern (CCWK) is recognizing student sleep health as a community dilemma and working to educate students and families about its importance. For two consecutive years, students in West Kern have reported tiredness as a leading cause of school absences. In response, CCWK has declared September 2024 as Student Sleep Health Month, with September 16-20 as Student Sleep Health Week.
According to the CDC and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, 78% of high school students and 34% of children don’t get enough sleep on school nights. Many young people in West Kern attribute this to excessive screen time from social media, video games, and TV. This causes students doze off in class or miss school altogether. Insufficient sleep is linked to increased risks of obesity, depression, poor grades, delinquent behavior, and even suicide.
However, healthy sleep patterns are key to academic success, athletic performance, and overall well-being. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 9-12 hours of sleep for children ages 6-12, and 8-10 hours for teenagers. Tips for better sleep include:
setting a consistent sleep schedule,
gradually shifting bedtime 15 minutes earlier,
creating a quiet and cool sleep environment,
establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, and
limiting screen time before bed.
On September 13, 2024, Dr. Kin Yuen, Assistant Professor at UCSF and Adjunct Associate Professor at Stanford University, joined the CCWK to discuss problems with sleep deprivation and the benefits of good sleep habits. She emphasized educating parents and caregivers with empathy and reducing screen time, especially before bed. Dr. Yuen also urged schools and health partners to take sleep issues seriously and provide detailed guidance.
When CCWK student representative, Kal-el was asked if he and his friends ever talk about sleep, he quickly responded,
“We don’t talk about sleep at all.”
CCWK aims to change that narrative, encouraging everyone—from students and school staff to community members and nonprofit partners—to prioritize and discuss the importance of sleep health. For more information on sleep health and improving sleep routines, check out this CCWK link.
