Blog

An Exercise to Help Start Connected Conversations

Dr. Mark Goulston shares a quick exercise to help open up the conversation on suicide and mental health.

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.

Mental Health Language Guide Version 2

Helpful language tools and guidance for discussing mental health concerns with youth.

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.

The Importance of Toolkits

Dr. Henry Boeh examines factors that can lead to risky behaviors.

Mental Health’s Impact on People of Color

Amanda Smit discusses the disparities that people of color face in the judicial system.

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 […]

Adjoining Stressors to Mental Health

Tatiana Gonzalez Quiroga highlights other potential stressors on mental health. #WellBeings

Vocalize How You Feel

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

Reflect on the Good Times

Emma Benoit offers personal advice on overcoming struggles. #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.

America’s Watershed Moment with Mental Illness & a Family Who Has Bridged the Divide

Suicide is Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month. More than 200 people die by suicide each day in our country, and 2,000 attempt it. It’s the second leading cause of death for youth 10 to 24, and the leading cause for girls 10 to 15.

Tell My Story: Identifying and Preventing Teen Suicide Panel Discussion

Please join WETA and Well Beings for a virtual panel discussion, “Tell My Story: Identifying and Preventing Teen Suicide,” on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Please revisit this page at that time to watch the livestream!

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.

Treating the Mentally Ill Instead of Punishing Them

In the United States, people with mental illness are 10 times more likely to be incarcerated than hospitalized, and nearly 2 million with serious mental illnesses are jailed every year.

Vulnerability Can Be Your Greatest Strength

Ricky Allen explains the power of an empathic approach to mental health support.

The Practical Barriers to Mental Health Access

Madeline Jasper highlights one of the most challenging aspects of connecting to mental health resources.

Conquer Your Guilt & Get Proactive

The importance of education and proactive attitudes in parents guiding their children through mental health challenges.

You Are More

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

How a Vietnam Vet Found a Career Helping Others

This story was produced by Jakob Walberg from the Fayette Institute of Technology in Oak Hill, West Virginia with support from SRL Connected Educator Keith Doherty.

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.

Are Schools Doing Enough for Students’ Mental Health?

This piece was produced by Jacob Lopez, Gage Fournier and Jamie Hebert at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, Texas with support from Connected Educator Jeff Yale.

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.

Art Shanks, Making Connections, A Movember Funded Program – Well Beings Tour

Making Connections, A Movember Funded Program. The discussion explores why it is so important for youth and adults to connect when it comes to mental health, tips for how youth and adult can start conversations around the topic of mental health and how to create safe spaces for these conversations.

Foster Care is a Culture

Noel Anaya shares his own foster experience and advice.

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.

The Unexpected Benefits of the Pandemic

David Simpson, co-founder and director of A Home Within Casa, discusses the expansion of accessibility to mental health resources.

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.

How Habituation Leads to Cycles of Violence

Jordyn Blanding offers special insight into how habituation features in cycles of violence.

Assumptions That Affect the Mental Health & Well-Being of Others

We all make assumptions. Our assumptions can lead to judgments that affect the mental health and wellbeing of others. How can we discover what we don’t know about ourselves and others?

Soiled Ground Bares Strange Fruit

Nia Jones discusses the impact of adverse community environments on mental health.

Collateral Damage

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

Difficult Conversations with Our Sons & Daughters

Faraji Muhammad explores the nuances in building trust in authority figures and discussing the realities of racial discrimination in America.

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 […]

If You See Something, Say Something

Scilla Andreen, CEO of IndieFlix, discusses the importance of restorative and integrative approaches to cyberbullying.

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 […]

Parenting in the Social Media Age

Millie Peck discusses the ways in which parents can help their children build better relationships with their social media use.

Tempering the Time Suck

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

Christopher Chun-Seeley on the Notice. Talk. Act.® Program

PBS Newshour Student Reporting Labs discuss the Notice. Talk. Act.® Program with Christopher Chun-Seeley, MSW, Program Director of School and Justice Initiatives at the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF).

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.

We Rise: Art Speaks Where Words Are Unable to Explain

Dr. Jorge Partida, Chief of Psychology, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, highlights the impact of the We Rise event.

Turning the Salon Chair into the Therapist’s Couch

Janae Oliver, Founder of MindfulBeautyCollaborative, discusses empowering the beauty community to provide mental health support.

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.

Courage Isn’t Always Machismo

Chris, Karen, and Maria discuss the generational and cultural perceptions of mental health within the LatinX community.

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 […]

Basic Needs Can Make or Break Student Success

Angela Sanchez discusses the impact of homelessness on her school experience and education.

Resource Deprivation in the Pandemic

Sarah Fray discusses the ongoing challenges connecting students with living and food resources.

Neuroplasticity and the Psychological & Physical Trauma of Homelessness

Dr. Diane Tanaka explores the diffuse traumatic impact of homelessness on childhood and adolescent development.

The Unacknowledged Stigma Against Poverty

Angela Sanchez describes the unmitigated stigma homeless and impoverished people face in society.

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.

Reversing The Stigma Of Mental Illness: Lessons From ‘Lived Experience’

Individuals with mental illness are 10 times more likely to be incarcerated, than helped.

Dr. Stephen Schueller | Full Interview

A conversation between PBS Newshour Student Reporting Labs Alumna Tashi Muthuin and Dr. Stephen Schueller.

“Depression Can Be a Scary Word”

Depression can be connected to many situations including chronic physical conditions, seasonal change, and the mental health of those around us.

“I Feel Trapped In My Own Mind” | Daijah Williams

Daijah Williams shares an insightful poem on last week’s #WellBeings Tour stop with PBS station WUCF.

The Importance of Mental Health Resources on Social Media

As consumption of online media grows among youth, how important is it to integrate mental health resources on social platforms?

Difference between Mental Health & Mental Illness Pt. 1

Understanding the difference between mental health & mental illness helps identify ways we can talk about youth’s well-being.

Teen Connectivity and Importance of Staying Connected

As consumption of online media grows among youth, how important is it to integrate mental health resources on social platforms?

Helping Youth Navigate Through Missed Experiences with Nadia

This past year many teens missed out on cultural celebrations & milestones due to the pandemic, which had a significant impact on their mental wellbeing.

Helping Youth Mitigate Stress Due to Missed Experiences

With the pandemic continuing to weigh on teenagers, are there ways we can help youth look positively towards the future?

Helping Youth Stay Motivated

How can we help and support our youth to stay motivated through online schooling?

Helping Youth Navigate Through Missed Experiences with Feliz

This past year many teens missed out on cultural celebrations & milestones due to the pandemic, which had a significant impact on their mental wellbeing.

Wallaa’s Project: Labels and Mental Health

Our panel of experts discusses their first-hand experiences as refugees in the US and how they adapted through mental health practices.

Embracing Differences and Accepting People

How have mental health practices become a welcome exploration for Utah’s refugee youth? Our panel of experts discuss embracing differences.

Learning a New Language

Our panel of experts discusses their first-hand experiences in the US as refugees and the mental health practices that they have implemented.

Using Acceptance As A Way to Get Better

Our panel of experts discusses embracing differences and becoming more accepting of those around us.

Discover All of the Diverse Paths within Mental Health Counseling

Dr. Mabel Bongmba of Kaiser Permanente discusses the diversity of fields within mental health counseling and how to positively impact others.

Community Youth Programming Can Change Lives.

Eridon Stewart explains the impact Y We has had on her confidence and wellbeing.

Maia Roundtree Shares Some of Her Beautiful Poetry

Creative release can be incredibly therapeutic. Maia Roundtree shares a beautiful original poem about how she deals with those particularly hard days.

How Do You Take a Mental Health Break?

How do you take a mental health break? Mia Dabney discusses her favorite way to release.

Finding a New Normal In a Post Pandemic World

Remote learning has remapped the lives of millions of teens across the world. Sirkeenan shares some of his growing pains in remote learning.

Revolutionizing the ways schools approach mental wellness

Wenima Okoyo helms equity-based approaches to expand the efficacy of existing mental wellness models within schools.

Learning How to Make Mistakes in the Modern Age

Elle Snyder discusses modern anxieties around the permanence of mistakes with the prevalence of social media.

Bringing New Perspectives to How We View Mental Illness

How do you cope with an invisible illness? LemLem brings a new perspective to acknowledging the impact of mental illness. Bringing New Perspectives to How We View Mental Illness LemLem brings a new perspective to acknowledge the impact of mental illness. This clip is a segment from the Pittsburgh Well Beings Tour event, Healthy Connections: Teens, […]