Ohio high school teaches teenagers “how to sleep” as screen addiction and hectic schedules leave Gen Z exhausted and at risk for serious mental health issues.
At a Glance
- Mansfield Senior High School has introduced a “Sleep to Be a Better You” program to address widespread sleep deprivation among teens
- Nearly 80% of American teenagers get less than the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep per night
- Sleep deprivation is linked to depression, anxiety, increased suicidal thoughts, and poorer academic performance
- The curriculum includes sleep logs, education about sleep’s impact on health, and practical strategies to improve sleep habits
- Some schools are also implementing later start times to align with teenagers’ natural circadian rhythms
Teaching Teens the Forgotten Skill of Sleep
Mansfield Senior High School in Ohio has taken an unexpected approach to improving student wellness by teaching something most people assume comes naturally: how to sleep. The innovative “Sleep to Be a Better You” curriculum addresses the growing crisis of sleep deprivation among American teenagers. School officials launched the program after observing exhausted students struggling to stay awake during classes, recognizing that many teens lack the basic knowledge and habits needed for healthy sleep in today’s technology-dominated world.
“It might sound odd to say that kids in high school have to learn the skills to sleep, but you’d be shocked how many just don’t know how to sleep,” says Tony Davis, who helps coordinate the program at Mansfield City Schools.
The program teaches students to track their sleep patterns through sleep logs, identify behaviors that disrupt rest, and implement practical strategies like reducing screen time before bed.
Students learn about sleep’s critical role in mental health, physical development, and academic success while exploring how social media addiction and packed schedules contribute to their exhaustion. The curriculum aims to help students develop self-awareness about their sleep needs and make better choices about time management.
A National Health Crisis Among Teenagers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 80% of American teenagers get less than the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep per night. This widespread sleep deprivation has been linked to alarming increases in depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and risky behaviors.
Sleep-deprived teens are also more likely to experience sports injuries, driving accidents, and academic difficulties. The problem has become so pervasive that experts describe it as a public health crisis.
“Walk into any high school in America and you will see kids asleep. Whether it’s on a desk, outside on the ground or on a bench, or on a couch the school has allotted for naps — because they are exhausted,” notes Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.
While much attention has focused on social media’s impact on teen mental health, some researchers believe sleep deprivation plays an even more significant role. Andrew Fuligni, a professor of psychiatry and psychology at UCLA, explains: “The evidence linking sleep and mental health is a lot tighter, more causal, than the evidence for social media and mental health.” This perspective has prompted educators to prioritize sleep health as a critical component of student wellness programs.
Rethinking School Schedules for Teen Biology
Beyond teaching better sleep habits, some schools are addressing the problem by adjusting their schedules to match teenagers’ biological needs. During puberty, teens experience a natural shift in circadian rhythms that makes them feel tired later at night and more alert later in the morning compared to children and adults.
Early school start times often conflict with these biological patterns, forcing teens to wake up during their deepest sleep period and attend classes when their brains are not optimally alert.
“Bad sleep is a really significant risk factor for a lot of things and probably the most serious is suicidal,” warns Flinders University Associate Professor Jessica Paterson.
Adelaide High School in Australia has moved start times to 9:20 a.m. for older students, providing them with more flexibility in the morning. Research suggests schools starting no earlier than 9:00 a.m. better support teenage sleep health.
When schools have implemented later start times, studies show improved sleep duration, better academic performance, reduced tardiness, and enhanced student well-being. Unlike other interventions, later start times don’t typically result in students simply going to bed later—they maintain similar bedtimes but get more quality sleep.
