Blog

The Pressures of Modern Students

Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasizes stressors such as financial troubles that can further affect the mental health of community college students.

Reaching Out Helps

Paula Stafford explains the professional resources people can utilize.

Substance Use Risk Adds to Legal & Behavioral Health Issues In Rural New Mexico

Remote Chance: Health Care in Rural America, a digital-first series of short films by award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Arledge, made possible by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Annette Harkins Family Trust Substance Use Risk Adds to Legal & Behavioral Health Issues In Rural New Mexico’s Hispanic Men Young Hispanic men in rural New […]

Living Beyond the Screen

Social media can negatively affect the self-worth of teens. Dr. Linda Nicolotti recommends family time to fight this impact.

Trusting Your Gut Feelings

The best action in a risky situation is to have a plan beforehand. Dr. Dawn O’Malley details the importance of preparation.

JANUARY 10, 2022 PRESS RELEASE

WETA and Well Beings, a multiplatform health campaign created by the D.C.-based public media station, launched a new two-part digital-first documentary short series, Remote Chance: Rural Health Care in America. The series spotlights real, powerful stories to raise awareness about mental and other health care needs for Americans living in remote and rural areas.

Language Basics

Words have power. Language plays an important role in helping fight stigma, or unknowingly reinforcing it, so we must do all that we can to destigmatize and support those with mental health concerns.

Caring for Diverse Populations

Helpful language tools and guidance for discussing mental health concerns with youth.Part of the Well Beings Mental Health Language Guide. The purpose of this guide is to address stigma around mental illness and equip users with person-first language tools for discussing mental health concerns with youth. To operationalize the term, we define youth as ages […]

Do’s & Don’ts of Mental Health Conversation

Helpful language tools and guidance for discussing mental health concerns with youth.Part of the Well Beings Mental Health Language Guide. The purpose of this guide is to address stigma around mental illness and equip users with person-first language tools for discussing mental health concerns with youth. To operationalize the term, we define youth as ages […]

Key Terms

Helpful language tools and guidance for discussing mental health concerns with youth.Part of the Well Beings Mental Health Language Guide. ABLEIST LANGUAGE: Referring to words, phrases, and sentiments that are offensiveand/or exclusionary to people with disabilitiesAGENDER: A person who does not identify as any gender.ADJUSTMENT DISORDER: An emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event […]

Dates to Remember

Part of the Well Beings Mental Health Language Guide. *Dates fluctuate year to year. Please consult your calendar for exact dates. January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December JANUARY 2025 Mental Wellness MonthNational Blood Donor MonthCervical Cancer Awareness MonthNational […]

Additional Resources

Part of the Well Beings Mental Health Language Guide. For more information about mental health and wellness, please feel free to visit these organizations:

The Journey of Growth

Katharine Illyin discusses developmental stages and how those affected face identity confusion through each stage.

Creating a New Normal

Craigan Usher dissects the relationship between mental health disorders versus what is considered “normal.”

Recognizing the Early Signs

Alyssia Menezes shares how the realization of one’s mental health issues can take years to come to terms with.

Hiding Through a Mask

Finding one’s identity can be difficult. Christopher Goodwin discusses the pressures to put on a different self to fit in.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques Reducing Youth Anxiety & Trauma

Can persistence and science change a traumatized young person’s life? Kurt Palermo from Roca believes that it can. Roca is an organization dedicated to disrupting incarceration, poverty, and racism by engaging young adults, police, and systems at the center of urban violence in relationships to address trauma, find hope and drive change.

Songs of Thanks and Gratitude

In this Optimisticle, we’ve put together a collection of songs that celebrate life and love, running the gamut from country music to reggae.

You Have to Be Your Child’s Therapist

“Our kids just want to be listened to, they want to be loved, and they don’t want to be judged,” says Jason Reid, who lost his 14-year-old son by suicide. “You have to be your child’s therapist.”

Get on Their Level

When we have these young people that are struggling…get on their level. They want to feel heard and they want to know that what they’re going through is hard. Get on Their Level “When we have these young people that are struggling…get on their level. They want to feel heard and they want to know […]

LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health with Dr. Turban

PBS Newshour Student Reporter & Host of the podcast, “On Our Minds with Noah & Zion” Noah Konevitch interviews Chief Fellow in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Jack Turban. This conversation discusses the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth as part of the Well Beings Tour Nashville.

The Meaning of Support

Eric Vaughan dissects the concept of support towards the LGBTQ+ community and its many facets.

The Power of Listening

Lizzie McAdam provides advice on how to help and affirm the feelings of youth struggling with their identity.

Creating a Better Culture

Chris Bright discusses the need for an empathetic and cohesive culture in order to improve societal sentiment.

A Safe Haven to Call Your Own

Dustin Liu emphasizes the importance of safe spaces and helpful policies in order to create a more welcoming environment.

It Takes a Village

“We are part of a village and it is up to us to do our part” – Sharlen Moore discusses how sharing skills and resources can help at-risk youth.

Utilizing Toughness

Roy Rogers provides unique insights on pressures people feel to act a certain way while incarcerated. 

Communication Can Save A Kid’s Life

In April 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, just four days before his 13th birthday, Hayden In April 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, just four days before his 13th birthday, Hayden Hunstable took his life. With apparent loss of hope, in a moment of desperation, he died by suicide at home in his bedroom. Since then, his parents have poured their hearts into raising awareness to increase communication among families to help prevent youth suicide.

Grieving Father on America’s “Emotional Bubble”

Covid-19 killed Brad’s son, but not the way you think. This 11 minute video is a dad’s reflection on a big and unspoken issue affecting billions of families living through the isolation caused by Covid-19 quarantines. Grieving father, Brad Hunstable, posted a heartbreaking video two days after burying his son, Hayden, and spoke of an […]

Vocalize How You Feel

LaShonda G. Williams, JD, emphasizes the importance of expressing feelings to others. #WellBeings

Dealing with Missing Out

Dr. Ariel Encalade Mitchell calls attention to the grief that comes with missing out on key events due to covid.

The Impact Of Gaming On Mental Health

Byron ‘Reckful’ Bernstein was a young and admired professional gamer, content creator and athlete. When he died by suicide, it shook many members in the gaming community and players took notice.

JUNE 14, 2021 PRESS RELEASE

The feature-length film chronicles the heartbreaking journey of Jason Reid as he looks for the signals he may have missed with his son while uncovering painful truths about the lives of teens in the process.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 PRESS RELEASE

The critically acclaimed film Tell My Story, currently streaming on WellBeings.org, which documents the journey of a grieving father, Jason Reid, who seeks answers after his 14-year-old son dies by suicide. 

Almost Thirteen | Film

The world lost Hayden Hunstable to suicide in the middle of the mandated COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on April 17th, 2020, just four days before his 13th birthday.

Almost Thirteen | Trailer

In April of 2020, the world lost Hayden to suicide in the middle of COVID stay-at-home orders, just four days before his thirteenth birthday. Since his death, Hayden’s family have poured their hearts into making this short film with the mission to raise awareness and to increase communication to prevent youth suicide.

You Are More

Caitlin Andress offers sound advice on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Young Musician Reflects on the Healing Power of Music

This story was produced by Connie Du, William Huang, Ysabel Miranda and Senanga Perera at Rockville High School in Rockville, Maryland with support from SRL Connected Educator Krista McKim and SRL Associate Youth Media Producer Becky Wandel.

Two Teens Discuss Anti-Asian Stereotypes and the Harm They Can Cause

On Our Minds Extra: Two Teens Discuss Anti-Asian Stereotypes and the Harm They Can Cause This story was produced by Zhenwei Gao and Lara Saidon from Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California and Kaitlyn Gong from Chapman College in Orange, California, with support from SRL Connected Educator Bernadine Judson and Youth Media Producer Marie […]

Online Communities Help Define Teen’s Sexuality

On Our Minds Extra: Online Communities Help Define Teen’s Sexuality This story was produced by Ted Klaus, Noemi Torres, Samantha Casas, Denny Olivares, Stephy Mai, and Janice Venegas from Northview High School in Covina, California with support from SRL Connected Educator Amy Woods and Youth Media Producer Marie Cusick.

Dissociation and the Importance of Asking for Help

On Our Minds Extra: Dissociation and the Importance of Asking for Help This audio story was produced by Syd and Peter from Wauwatosa East High School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with support from SRL Connected Educator Jean Biebel.

San Francisco State Supports Foster Students

Dr. Sonja Lenz-Rashid, professor of Social Work, discusses the groundbreaking support San Francisco State University offers to foster youth, availing resources that can make or break student success.

Finding Your Chosen Family

Naomi Muzac explores what it means to create foster experiences that nurture the human spirit and breathe hope into the lives of young people in the foster care system.

AUGUST 16, 2021 PRESS RELEASE

Public Media’s Mental Health Campaign Well Beings Celebrates One Year Of Impact Focused On Youth Mental Health National Campaign Joins Local Public Media Stations in Addressing Youth Mental Health Project Build Towards 2022 Documentary Series, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS, Executive Produced by Ken Burns, Produced and Directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher […]

Discovering Resilience & Silver Linings from the Pandemic

The loss of more than 600,000 Americans has created a mind-numbing drumbeat of bad news, with the latest surge only increasing the volume. A simple but important lesson that so many learned is the vital role of the community in buffering against stress and managing through difficulties.

Collateral Damage

Kortnei McMurray shares the impact of the fallout of community violence on the freedom and livelihood of children. 

A Father’s Journey with Addiction, Loss And Forgiveness

Part of the Hiding in Plain Sight blog series Written by Hansa Bhargava, Senior Medical Director at WebMD and Medscape, Author and Pediatrician July 29, 2021 Alec loved nature, but the summer of 2018 would be his last hiking trip with family. Sunshine, blue skies and a rainbow permeated tears and unbearable grief in a small church […]

Creating Trust is Paramount

Manny Fardella, President of the Wyoming Resource Officers Association, emphasized the importance of trust in ensuring teenagers feel comfortable reaching out when they’re dealing with conflict on social media. Creating Trust is Paramount Manny Fardella, President of the Wyoming Resource Officers Association, emphasized the importance of trust in ensuring teenagers feel comfortable reaching out when […]

Tempering the Time Suck

Mckenna Kail discusses building boundaries around social media use in order to create healthier relationships with technology.

Guided Meditation with Tara Brach

Hosts Noah and Zion talk to psychologist, author and well-known meditation teacher Tara Brach. Brach also leads them and listeners through a guided meditation to help recognize, center and acknowledge emotions.

Saving Face Isn’t Always a Saving Grace

Katherine Yeom, Executive Director of Korean American Family Services, explores the stigmas within the Asian American community that prevents people from seeking help.

Dr. Thomas Insel | Full Interview

A conversation between PBS Student Reporting Lab reporter Julia Escobar of Venice High School and California Mental Health Czar Thomas Insel M.D. Dr. Thomas Insel | Full Interview A conversation between PBS Student Reporting Lab reporter Julia Escobar of Venice High School and California Mental Health Czar Thomas Insel M.D. for the PBS So-Cal KCET […]

The Ups and Downs of Social Media

In this season’s final full episode of “On Our Minds,” Noah and Zion talk about the positives and negatives of social media.

WellBeings.org is a health and wellness resource, not a crisis or suicide response website. If you are in crisis, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.