Latest news with #LizHarris
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms California Parent & Youth Helpline™ Boosts Parental Mental Health and Reduces Loneliness
LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking new study confirms what California families have long known: when overwhelmed parents reach out to the California Parent & Youth Helpline®, they leave feeling stronger, calmer, and far less alone. Published in the Journal of Technology in Human Services, the peer-reviewed research validates the effectiveness of Parents Anonymous, Inc.®'s Helpline, showing that in under 30 minutes, callers experience significant improvements in mood, engagement, and parenting outlook. The study, led by Liz Harris, PhD, Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, analyzed 281 Helpline calls made between late 2022 and early 2023. Using a novel approach that combined AI-based sentiment analysis with qualitative methods, the research team found that 85% of parents showed improved mood during the call, an especially meaningful finding in a post-pandemic landscape marked by soaring parental isolation. "Helplines have existed for decades, but surprisingly, very little research has explored their actual impact," said Liz Harris, Lead Author and Researcher. "Our study shows that parents' emotional state measurably improves - an improvement we could see through natural language processing analysis, traditional qualitative content coding and rate of speech." Innovative Research, Real ResultsThe team applied natural language processing technology, specifically BART, to measure how parental sentiment shifted throughout each call. They validated the use of BART for this purpose against qualitative coding done by the authors and by trained parent service users. They found that callers' language became more positive, their tone more collaborative, and their pace of speech dropped in half, indicating reduced distress. Key findings include: Statistically significant improvement (p<.001) in parental mood and optimism over the course of each call. 85% of callers left feeling more emotionally balanced. Speech slowed during calls, aligning unconscious vocal cues with the emotional shift measured by AI tools. Over 50% of parents expressed intense loneliness and the Helpline directly helped alleviate that isolation. Callers responded especially well to counselors who validated their efforts, praised their parenting instincts, and offered tailored resources or emotional support. "This is the first study to rigorously validate the use of AI-based tools in evaluating emotional change on a helpline," said Harris. "It's a big leap forward for how the human services field can measure impact without burdening vulnerable callers with lengthy surveys." A Proven Model for Crisis SupportThe research underscores the unique value of the Parents Anonymous model, which prioritizes trauma-informed counseling and ensures all Helpline counselors have formal training or degrees in mental health fields. Now in its fifth year, the Helpline offers free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support in English, Spanish, and over 250+ other languages. With its anniversary approaching on May 9, the service stands as a compelling example of scalable, accessible intervention, especially as child welfare agencies and funders weigh future investments. "We've shown it's possible to make a meaningful difference in a parent's mental state in just one call," said Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, CEO & President of Parents Anonymous. "And when you reduce parental stress and loneliness, you improve outcomes for children. That's the power of this model." Parents and youth (up to 25) based in California needing emotional support can call the California Parent & Youth Helpline by calling/texting 1-855-427-2736 or through live chat 24/7 at Outside of California? Parents and youth can call/text 855-427-2736 or chat online through For more information about Parents Anonymous® and its programs, visit About Parents Anonymous, over half a century, Parents Anonymous Inc.® has served as a steadfast pillar of support for diverse parents, caregivers and youth across the nation. Since its establishment in 1969, this organization has been at the forefront of developing evidence-based programs dedicated to nurturing the empowerment journey of families. Through the decades, it has furthered its unwavering commitment to empowerment through the establishment of National Parent Leadership Month® every February, its community-based organizations, Weekly Adult and Children & Youth Parents Anonymous Groups®, and its Helpline resources: National Parent & Youth Helpline™ and the California Parent & Youth Helpline®. It is also the only culturally responsive program recognized by The Federal Title IV-E Prevention Clearinghouse that is proven to Effectively Improve Parenting, Enhance Mental Health and Reduce Substance Abuse while Ensuring Child Safety for diverse families and youth of all ages. Learn more at or by following on Facebook or Instagram. Media Contact Aimee Tiberi 395018@ 708.567.4449 View original content: SOURCE Parents Anonymous Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Wall Street Journal
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘Luster' Review: Maria Somerville's Irish Dream-Pop Melodies
Shoegaze and dream-pop, two closely related genres that took hold in the 1980s and '90s, have formed an especially strong connection with younger listeners in this decade. Debates about the precise definitions of and lines between the two styles are contentious. Both are deeply atmospheric and make heavy use of guitar distortion, drone and reverb. Shoegaze, which draws its name from the tendency of guitarists in the style to constantly look down at the variety of pedal boards at their feet, is louder and more abrasive, while dream-pop is softer and gentler. Perhaps because the latter is vibe-based music that works well when experienced in solitude, it's become a kind of social-media soundtrack, serving as background music for posts that riff on sadness, loneliness and intimacy. The quintessential dream-pop band of the past 20 years had been Beach House, but many younger acts take that group's moody song-based aesthetic and dissolve it further until it transforms into ambient music. Grouper, the solo project of Oregon-based producer Liz Harris, might be the most influential in this gauzier realm, and Irish singer-songwriter Maria Somerville is one of many young artists who have followed her lead. Ms. Somerville's self-released 2019 debut album, 'All My People,' was short and roughly recorded, but her songwriting ability was clear even amid the murk. Her second LP, 'Luster' (4AD), out Friday, is a considerable upgrade, and it confirms that she's among the most promising figures to emerge from these intersecting scenes.
