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What's Trending Now
"13 Reasons Why" Dominating Conversations
The Netflix original series "
13
Reasons
Why" has been a popular topic of conversation among adolescents, teens, and their parents both in person and all over social media.
The series has been praised by some for raising the issue of teenage suicide and providing a starting point for parents and children to have some important conversations. In contrast, it has been criticized by some mental health advocates and groups that it may glamorize "revenge suicide" and does not address the mental health component that is present in 90% of suicides.
Individuals who choose to watch this show should do so with the full understanding that it is a work of fiction. Throughout the process, parents and adults should have open conversation and honest discussions about the realities of suicide and mental health. Please use
this link to access resources recommended by Minding Your Mind.
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Minding Your Mind recently spent three days at Lexington High School, speaking in all of the freshman health classes. MYM speakers
Drew and
Katya shared their personal stories to educate students on a wide-range of topics relating to mental health. They engaged with the students during an in-depth Q&A during each class. Read more in
this recent New York Times article about Lexington and its efforts to make mental health a priority throughout the schools and greater community.
Some of the other schools that have invited Minding Your Mind to speak with their students include: Newton South High,
Andover High,
Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools in Reading, Brookline High, O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester, Dover-Sherborn High, Tewksbury High, Hopkington High, Medway High, The Landmark School, Winthrop Middle and High Schools, Belmont High, Boston College High School, Billerica High, Berkshire High, Boston University, the Newman School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School.
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What People Are Saying
"I would like to thank Andrew for coming on Wednesday and taking the time to share his story. He made a real impact on our students. In fact, his story allowed a young woman in our school to ask for help immediately after he spoke. I also want to thank him for staying after our fair in the evening to attend our mandatory meeting with parents and students about underage drinking and the social host law in Massachusetts. Our students noticed that he stayed and that meant a lot to them."
Kristen Vogel, Principal, Tewksbury High School
"We were incredibly impressed with the MYM Young Adult speakers who presented at our school. Their stories resonated across the breadth of our student body, and the audience was captivated. We ran a concurrent evening program for parents, and they too hung on every word. We bring in many enrichment programs and social emotional learning programs, and Minding Your Mind provided one of the best in recent memory."
Dan Rubin, Director of Guidance, Newton South High School
"We had Drew and Carl come to speak at our school. Students were quiet, focused, and hanging on every word. There is nothing more powerful than young people connecting with other young people about mental health, and encouraging them that seeking help is not weakness but actually great strength. Especially for young men in our society, who aren't given space to talk about their sadness, or how they may use substances to mask other complex feelings they could be experiencing, having role models like Drew and Carl to talk with is priceless. Drew and Carl were not only wonderful speakers, but delightfully easy to work with and so professional."
Tess Adams, Director of Counseling, Berkshire School
Read more...
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In the Spotlight
As Minding Your Mind has been introduced to communities around Massachusetts, we have met many people and made positive connections. One result of these connections is the number of young people who have contacted us, interested in becoming a young adult speaker and sharing their stories of mental health with others.
Meet Jessica.
During the process of recovering from her own trauma, her experiences led her to seek out a variety of professional and holistic treatment options; she is passionate about helping people empower themselves and lead their own unique journeys to recovery.
"
I think that stigma surrounding mental health issues is pervasive in our society, and in order to effect change, we need to educate the next generation alongside the adults who are shaping their views," shares Jessica. "When I was younger and going through my own struggles, I lacked the language to describe my symptoms and the resources to get help. I became a speaker because I want to make more people aware that help is out there, and there's no shame in asking for or needing it."
Jessica is one of five Massachusetts-based speakers currently in training and will begin her MYM journey during the 2017-2018 school year. If you are or know someone interested in becoming a speaker for Minding Your Mind, please contact Jan Latorre-Stiller at 781.285.6696.
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What You Can Do
Contact us to bring Minding Your Mind to your community. We can work with you to choose the appropriate programs for your needs. Our goal is to foster an atmosphere that empowers students to change perceptions about mental health issues and encourages help-seeking behaviors. To strengthen the message presented to students, training
is available for school staff and faculty, and professional and parent groups
.
Our programs can be held in schools, community centers, religious organizations, college clubs - anywhere a thoughtful group of people can come together to learn more about mental health. Please visit our website at
www.mindingyourmind.org
. Here, you will find biographies about our speakers, resources for the community, and testimonials from the schools that we have visited.
To book a speaker, click on
'Book A Speaker' on the top right of any page of our website, complete the form, and click 'Submit'. Within five to seven business days, you will hear from one of the Minding Your Mind staff members.
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If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact either of us directly. We look forward to working with you to help advance understanding and compassion around mental health issues among all age groups in Massachusetts.
Warm regards,
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Jan Latorre-Stiller
Massachusetts Regional Director
(p)
781.285.6696
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Karen Albert
Massachusetts Community Education &
Outreach Manager
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Upcoming Events
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
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May 23, 6:00PM
McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
"Youth Mental Health: Exploring the Lived Experience with Minding Your Mind"
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| About Minding Your Mind |
Minding Your Mind's primary objective is to provide mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, their parents, teachers, and school administrators. Our goal is to reduce the stigma and destructive behaviors often associated with mental health issues. The behaviors include, but are not limited to: self-harm, violence, substance abuse, eating disorders, unhealthy relationships, and suicidal ideation. Minding Your Mind's programs move away from crisis-based response to prevention through education. Our evidence-based programs are for students and the adults in their lives to learn ways to identify symptoms, assure them they aren't alone in their feelings, and provide language they can use to ask for help. Learn more at www.mindingyourmind.org.
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