Expert: Advocating for children's health on World Sleep Day

About 30 per cent of children suffer from sleep disorders, with profound implications for their physical and emotional health, as well as their academic performance. Despite the prevalence and impact of these disorders, access to effective interventions is limited in Quebec and worldwide. On March 15, International World Sleep Day, sleep researchers are raising awareness about this critical need. 

Here is an expert from McGill University who can provide comment on this topic: 

Reut Gruber,  Full Professor, Department of Psychiatry 

“Children who do not sleep well frequently miss school or, when they attend, have a hard time focusing, remembering, and following the teacher’s instructions. They are irritable and have difficulty regulating emotions, so they suffer from higher levels of anxiety and depression. Sleep problems in children are common, and often ignored or inadequately addressed. We need to change that. Children at risk of poor mental health or academic performance should be screened for sleep disorders and get the help they need.” 

Reut Gruber is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, as well as the Director of the Attention, Behaviour and Sleep Laboratory at the Douglas Research Centre. She is a licensed psychologist, clinical scientist, educator, and practitioner. Her research focuses on the interplay between sleep and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as developing ways to improve sleep and daytime functioning. 

reut.gruber [at] mcgill.ca (English)