Talking Teen Mental Health During COVID- Insights & Connections

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In this episode Sue and Jody talk about the COVID impact on teen mental health, highlighting stressors, behaviors, delayed development, and how schools and organizations responded in the unfolding situation of local/global uncertainty.

Listen as they share about health care professionals, counselors, schools, and outreach venues scrambling to problem solve day-to-day challenges facing teens and their families.

Sue Abderholden is Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota, (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Jody Nelson is  Executive Director of CHANGE INC., a Community & School Collaborative for early intervention and mental health services for at-risk K-12 students in Twin Cities schools.  

QUOTE HIGHLIGHTS

Sue Abderholden:

"I always like to say our mental health system isn't broken. It was never built..."

 Jody Nelson: 

"...one thing in our work is... I just wanna pack around young people as many caring adults, whether that's coaches, mentors ... teachers that are there and available for a teen or a friend of a teen in need to be able to speak to an adult to say, you know, my friend needs help or I need help."Pat Benincasa:

"So for parents wanting to help their teen ... how do you tell the difference between teen angst and moodiness and serious depression or self-harm behavior?"

Jody Nelson:"...reach out and... don't put it on yourself that you also have to be your child's therapist. You are the parent, and there are places that you can ask that question." Sue Abderholden:"Think of all the signs that are up saying, please be nice. Please be nice to my employees. These are the ones that showed up. ...And just think about what kind of world are we in that we have to remind people to be nice. And I think that kind of general feeling that the kids feel it too. And it's, it's not a good thing...As adults, we need to get ourselves in... to shape honestly, and to stop acting that way."LINKS:

NAMI MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

1919 University Ave W #400, St. Paul, Mn 55104  (651)-645-2948 

CHANGE INC. 

1209 Tyler St. NE, MPLS, MN 55413  (612)-259-7384

GAP School (State Approved Alternative High School

CRISIS TEXT LINE (Put on your refrigerator)

Trevor Project (For LGBTQ young people- 24/7)

“America Is Facing 5 Epic Crises All at Once, This is not the time to obsess about symbolism,” David Brooks, New York Times, June 25, 2020 

“The Healthy Mind Platter” Dr. Dan Siegel

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Today's episode is brought to you by the Joan of Arc Scroll Medal, a beautiful brass alloy medal, designed by award-winning artist, Pat Benincasa. This uniquely shaped medal is ideal for holiday or as a special occasion gift!    Visit www.patbenincasa-art.com

Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster.

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