Sioux Falls experts tell parents to set boundaries on phones, watch for signs of anxiety and substance use

At a Family Forum hosted by the Sioux Falls School District 49-5 in partnership with Avera, pediatrician Dr. Sam Schimmelfinig, district health coordinator Molly Satter and Jefferson High School success coordinator Tobin Bakendal urged parents to set limits on screen time and be alert to signs of mental distress and substance use among teenagers.

"Mental health — anxiety and depression — are probably at the top of that list," said Dr. Sam Schimmelfinig, identifying mental health as the leading issue for adolescents and placing substance use from caffeine to opioids, including fentanyl, as a close second. He told parents that regular checkups help clinicians spot problems that can present as headaches or stomachaches.

The panelists described how symptoms often differ at school and at home. "Sometimes they're really good about kind of holding it together during the school day," said Molly Satter, senior coordinator of health services for the district, adding that staff sometimes act as "detectives" to determine whether physical complaints have a stress-related cause. Tobin Bakendal, Success Coordinator at Jefferson High School, said counselors frequently see students who use vaping or other substances to "level out" during the day.

Panelists recommended several practical steps for caregivers. Dr. Schimmelfinig advised setting clear boundaries for phone and social-media use and keeping open lines of communication so teens can talk when difficulties arise. "It's really all about limitation," he said, recommending parents try to ensure phone or social-media use does not substitute for human interactions and advising gentle guardrails as teens gain autonomy.

The discussion included specific concerns about caffeine and energy drinks. Molly Satter said many students use energy drinks that exceed recommended limits and described physical effects such as palpitations and anxiety. Dr. Schimmelfinig noted that roughly 200 milligrams a day is about the upper recommended allowance for adolescents he referenced, that a typical cup of coffee is about 100 milligrams, and that around 400 milligrams a day is when side effects and dependency become more likely.

On substance use, panelists highlighted vaping trends and school-based responses. Satter described a partnership with the city of Sioux Falls called the "Break the Clouds" vaping-cessation campaign that connected students to support through discreet QR codes and emphasized a supportive, non-punitive approach: "That whole partnership was about getting kids connected to help," she said.

Panelists encouraged parents to start conversations early — in junior high for some topics — and to be the primary source of information about substances and risky behaviors rather than letting teens learn from peers or social media. They also urged families to maintain routine medical visits. "Even if you're not worried about their health, it's still good to bring them in and chat about things," Dr. Schimmelfinig said of annual appointments.

School staff listed concrete resources and procedures: school counselors, nurses and social workers identify concerns, perform screenings, involve parents and make referrals to community providers when needed. Tobin Bakendal described school work on 504 plans for students whose anxiety or depression require accommodations.

The forum closed with practical reminders: model healthy device habits, encourage sleep, nutrition and physical activity, and check in regularly with teens about their feelings and peer relationships. For more information and resources the district pointed listeners to the Sioux Falls School District website counseling tab and to Avera's site.

The Family Forum did not include formal votes or policy decisions; it provided guidance, described existing district and city programs and directed families to resources for follow-up.