The Muslim American Society – Social Services Foundation (MAS-SSF) hosted an event on September 21, 2019, called “The Collapse of Parenting” presented by Dr. Leonard Sax, MD, Ph.D.
MAS-SSF is a non-profit with a mission to aid families at large and the Muslim community in particular with their social service needs. Our goal is to support families to stay together. One of the more recent challenges parents are facing is how their children are being influenced negatively by social media.
The event was well-received by attendance of 128 which included families, parents, and youth as Dr. Sax discussed how to keep children safe and to create a trusting and comfortable child-parent relationship as social media challenges arise. At this presentation, Dr. Sax provided information on the following questions:
- How much time spent playing video games is too much time, and how do we know?
- Which video games are OK to play, and which are not, and how do we know?
- The more time a teen spends on Instagram, the more likely that teen is to BECOME depressed. That’s a huge effect for girls, but a much smaller effect for boys. How come?
- How much should I know about what my daughter is doing on Instagram?
- At what age is it appropriate for a child to have a smartphone?
Dr. Sax is a practicing physician and Ph.D. psychologist. He is known internationally and is the author of four best-selling books for parents: Why Gender Matters, Boys Adrift, Girls of the Edge, and The Collapse of Parenting. Books are available for purchase at a discounted rate via MAS-SSF.
Dr. Leonard Sax has been very active within the Muslim community by presenting at many mosques throughout the United States. “If you are on the board of any mosque or community center, you MUST invite Dr. Sax for an all-day presentation at your mosque.” Imam Tahir Anwar, Executive Committee of the Islamic Society of North America.
As part of MAS-SSF’s focus on families and wellness, a children’s program called Amazing Athletes was offered as an option for parents. This program provided a fun and interactive, educational program which includes physical fitness.
MAS-SSF currently provides 4 programs to provide support to Muslim families:
Shifa for Today Counseling – An early intervention program that aims to reduce trauma, anxiety, depression among Muslims by providing culturally and spiritually competent counseling. 40 professionally trained peer counselors are available with linguistic and ethnic backgrounds representing over 10 languages (Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Urdu/Hindi, etc.). Confidential services are a high priority for MAS-SSF.
Amala Youth HopeLine – A hotline that provides an accessible, confidential, and culturally competent means of peer counseling and resource referral for American Muslim youth. Services are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 6 PM – 10 PM by calling 855-95-Amala
Al-Afia for Seniors – A 4-hour program to prevent depression, anxiety, isolation, and feelings of helplessness associated with aging called senior day. Senior Day is comprised of an educational workshop, social activities with gifts/prizes and a healthy lunch.
The next senior day is on October 12th, 11 AM – 4 PM at Tarbiya House Natomas.
Community Education – workshops and trainings which engage and inform Muslim communities around mental health, parenting, immigrant integration, and other topics as requested by the community
To learn more, please visit www.mas-ssf.org or reach out to MAS-SSF via (916) 486 – 8626/ info@mas-ssf.org.
For anyone interested in accessing Dr. Leonard Sax’s presentation, a link to the recorded video will be available soon.
Gulshan Yusufzai,
Executive Director
MAS-SSF
For more event photos, Click Here.