Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The sleep patterns of adolescents are unique and, in spite of the importance of sleep during this stage, are often overlooked. Adolescents who complain about waking up early for school or other activities may be thought of as lazy by their parents and teachers, but there is a biological basis for the need to sleep later. The informal approach of this Café will allow teens, their families and teachers to discuss sleep concerns in a comfortable and informative setting. The Café panel will discuss what to expect from normal sleep for adolescents, barriers to getting good sleep for adolescents (e.g. school and work commitments, use of technology at night), the links between sleep deprivation and poor school performance and depression, and strategies for improving sleep for teens. The interactive nature of the discussion will generate healthy sleep strategies from the participants themselves as well as answer questions from the audience. While there are complex research findings on sleep, sleep is a process experienced by everyone, providing a common ground upon which discussion can be generated amongst non-scientists. Since there are few health care professionals and scientists formally trained in sleep research, most Canadians do not have access to sleep experts so this Café is an excellent opportunity for the public. Given that the relationships between poor sleep and health outcomes (e.g. school success, depression) are so important to becoming healthy adults it is essential to include parents and teachers in the Café since they serve as resources to adolescents as they move toward independence.