𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 | 𝙎𝘽

026.

The next day, Kayli woke up feeling a bit better. The nausea had mostly subsided, leaving her feeling slightly weak but determined to get back to her routine.

She remembered the psychology club meeting Andrew had mentioned, and the thought of attending the event lifted her spirits.

After a light breakfast, she took her time getting ready, choosing a comfortable yet presentable outfit. She tied her hair back in a loose ponytail and applied a bit of makeup to give herself a fresh look.

She grabbed her bag and made her way to campus, arriving at the psychology department a bit early. The building was bustling with students, and the energy was infectious.

She found the room where the psychology club meeting was being held and entered, immediately spotting Andrew near the front. He waved her over with a smile.

"Hey, Kayli! Glad you could make it," Andrew said, moving a chair aside so she could sit next to him.

"Thanks, Andrew. I'm feeling a lot better today," Kayli replied, settling into her seat. "What's the topic for today's meeting?"

"They're discussing recent developments in cognitive behavioral therapy and its applications in digital mental health interventions," Andrew said, his excitement evident. "It should be really interesting, especially considering our project."

"That sounds perfect," Kayli said, feeling a surge of anticipation.

The room filled up quickly, and soon the meeting started. The club president, a graduate student named Sarah, welcomed everyone and introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Patel, a well-known psychologist specializing in CBT and digital mental health.

Dr. Patel began her presentation by discussing the basics of cognitive behavioral therapy and how it has evolved over the years.

She then delved into the integration of digital platforms and apps designed to provide mental health support through CBT principles. Kayli listened intently, taking detailed notes and thinking about how this information could enhance their project.

Throughout the presentation, Kayli and Andrew exchanged ideas and whispered thoughts to each other, their enthusiasm growing. Dr. Patel's insights were not only fascinating but also highly relevant to their research.

After the presentation, there was a Q&A session. Kayli hesitated for a moment before raising her hand to ask a question.

"Dr. Patel, how do you see the role of social media in exacerbating or mitigating mental health issues, especially among adolescents?" she asked, her voice clear and steady.

Dr. Patel smiled. "That's an excellent question. Social media can indeed have a dual impact. On one hand, it can exacerbate issues like anxiety and depression due to cyberbullying, comparison, and the pressure to present a perfect life. On the other hand, it can also serve as a platform for support, connection, and access to mental health resources. The key is to develop digital interventions that harness the positive aspects while mitigating the negatives."

Kayli nodded, feeling satisfied with the response. The meeting continued for a bit longer, wrapping up with announcements about upcoming events and opportunities for students to get involved in research projects.

As the meeting ended, Andrew turned to Kayli. "What did you think?"

"It was fantastic. Dr. Patel's insights were incredibly helpful. I think we can use a lot of what she talked about in our project," Kayli said, feeling invigorated.

"Definitely. I took a bunch of notes too," Andrew said, holding up his notebook. "Want to grab a coffee and go over them?"

"That sounds great," Kayli replied, grateful for Andrew's continued enthusiasm and support.