Blog

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, […]

COVID-19: Are We Really All in This Together?

Episode three of On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health.

We Are Well Beings PSA

Every day, everywhere, everybody is touched by mental health challenges. We stand united and strong at a critical time in the health and well being of our nation.

We are Entering Into an Age of Unprecedented Human Isolation

Nicholas Emeigh, Director of Outreach & Development for NAMI, discusses the effects of living primarily in the virtual world and the stumbling blocks in returning to “normal”.

Empathy Is an Integral Part of Mental Health Treatment and Support

Dr. Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of Mental Health America, shares some sage advice for parents and teens.

How is Social Media Creating a Generational Divide?

Sydnee, Lexi and Amber look at social media’s impact on the way teens view themselves and their decision-making.

Teens Are Navigating a New Social Landscape

Dr. Courtney Cinco of Cincinnati Children’s, discusses the impact of the pandemic on adolescent development.

Finding Your Happy Place in a Pandemic

Dr. Courtney Cinco of Cincinnati Children’s reminds us all to nurture our connections.

School Never Looked So Different

School has never looked so different. James Stallworth, principal of Princeton Community middle school, examines the transformation of school life during the pandemic.

What Is the Best Way to Support a Friend in Crisis?

Rachel Curry, shares sage advice, warning signs and how to help loved ones who are struggling.

Leaving Room for Emotions

We are all reenvisioning our own coping mechanisms. Tati Rosen emphasizes the importance of accepting the growing pains in this new era.

The Prevalence of Emotional Burnout During the Pandemic

Emotional burnout isn’t just an issue for America’s youth — it is becoming more and more prevalent across generations and communities.

Mental Health Amid Covid: A New Perspective Can Make a World of Difference

Sophia Meguid, a junior at Utica High School, offers words of encouragement for those in crisis.

Discussions of Mental Illness Illuminate a Generational Divide

Eli Herrmann, a junior at Community High School, discusses the need for disrupting the stigma of mental illness amongst older generations.

The Good, The Bad, & the Ugly to Come from Covid

The pandemic has contributed to the growing youth mental health crisis in the U.S., but it’s also led to increased awareness of this issue.

Caregiving Begins with Self-Care

Carol Klocek, CEO of Transforming Lives, explores the importance of self-care in being an effective caregiver.

Shaking off the Pandemic’s Funk

Tenayah and Chris Cordova share how they make themselves feel better when they’re feeling upset.

Unpacking the “Invisible Backpack”

Dr. Garica Sanford of the Momentous Institute discusses the “invisible backpack” every child carries into school.

Stress Has a Reverberating Impact on Relationships

High school senior, Misael Mendez, discusses the tenuous relationship of stress between parents and children.

“Grades Aren’t Everything”

Noah and Zion discuss the highs and lows of virtual learning and share a wide range of stories from students across the country.

Suicide is the Second Leading Cause of Death For Young People Ages 10 to 24

To all of you kids out there, I need to tell you something. There are adults who will listen, find a therapist or a person you can trust. Talk with them and let them in. It might be scary at first, but it gets easier. The most important thing I want you to know is you are worth it.

It’s Ok Not to Be Ok

The first episode of On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health.

On Our Minds Podcast | Season One Trailer

Hosted by high school students Noah Konevitch and Zion Williams, On Our Minds features personal stories from students across the U.S.

Help You Help You

Being perfect is an impossible goal that no one has ever reached. When we make mistakes, it can lead us to think some nasty thoughts about ourselves, but thoughts aren’t always facts and they don’t define you. Follow these steps to be your own BFF, no matter what.

Stop to Go

This self-awareness trick called STOP helps us become more cognizant of our emotions and take action to promote our well-being.

Suicide Note: A Poet’s Journey Through Depression

Poet AKeem Rollins shares the story behind his viral slam poetry piece, “Suicide Note.”

Don’t Forget to Breathe

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, this breathing exercise can help you feel grounded.

Are You in a Thinking Trap?

We all get carried away by worst-case scenarios, but there are ways to help yourself when you find yourself falling into a thinking trap.

Too Much to Do? Then Redo Your To-Do List

Think about it. It’s easy to lose the big picture when your screen is alive with incoming texts and “high priority” messages. Try these tips from Alice Boyes, author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit, to stay focused and tackle your to-do.

Pee Healthy: It’s All About the Color

Did you know that when you’re dehydrated, your brain struggles to focus, solve problems, and coordinate motor skills? The color of your pee can tell you if you’re getting enough water.

Want More Joy in Your Day?

According to psychologist and author Dr. Rick Hanson, we can train our brains to take in the good! By intentionally taking time to turn positive events into positive memories and experiences, you can teach your brain to look for the good in the world.

Even When You’re Alone, You’re Not Alone

Throughout your life, you will experience moments where you feel lost and, at times, alone. In these moments, it can be helpful to think of someone who inspires you

How One Teen’s Suicide Attempt Led to a Life-Changing App

Overwhelmed and reeling from a suicide attempt, Hannah Lucas and her brother set out to develop an app — and now it’s saving lives.

An Olympic Athlete Takes on Depression

Olympic athlete Raven Saunders shares how they found the strength to face childhood trauma, celebrity pitfalls, and suicidal ideation to become a mental health advocate for athletes.

Addressing Mental Illness Stigma & Misconception

“There is nothing inherently bad about me because I have a mental illness.” In honor of #WorldBipolarDay, Joe addresses common misconceptions about mental illness and psychotic disorders. Join the conversation and share your story using our hashtag #WellBeings!

Why You Should Watch This Film

Motivated by a note left by his son to “tell my story,” Jason Reid embarks on a quest to understand what led his son to end his own life

The Most Important Conversation You Will Have with Your Kids

We are never given a parent manual, but we are given the tools to help one another. Jason Reid is on a mission to help parents change the conversation they have with kids about mental health.

The Hot Lava Game: We Need to Own Our Kids’ Mental Health

This is not the world we, as parents, grew up in. Kids today are much more prone to anxiety and depression than we were. Jason Reid explains how we need to understand the differences to help them navigate the world.

Parents Talk About Teen Suicide Prevention | Jason Reid Speech

Jason Reid and a group of fathers have an intense conversation about teen suicide.

The Misconceptions of Having an Eating Disorder

“It was a really unhealthy cycle of binging and restricting.” Anastasia opens up about her experience with binge eating disorder and how she believes it’s important to educate ourselves about all the different types of eating disorders, the symptoms, and how we can best support and create a strong community for those who are struggling with eating disorders.

It’s Okay to Have Bad Days

In this #BraveTeens Diary, Hadyn talks about how recovering from an eating disorder isn’t always easy, and it’s okay to have bad days.

Feeling Guilty about Eating

Daijah opens up about her experience with eating disorders and struggling with anorexia as early as middle school. She goes on to say that “it was a toxic way of thinking that I’d be a better person.” Daijah also shares the guilt she felt and how she is continuing to work through her relationship with food.

Tell My Story | Film Trailer

After his son dies by suicide, a father seeks answers for what is killing today’s youth.

Daijah Rises Above

Daijah talks about her experience with bullying and racism, and shares tips for staying positive when things are not going her way.

Struggling With an Eating Disorder

In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Abi opens up about her own experience struggling with an eating disorder.

Mental Wellness: What Works Best for You?

“It’s really hard thing to ask for help.” Abi didn’t know how to ask for help when her #mentalhealth struggles began. Her vlog this week is a reminder that reaching out is ok – for help, for resources or reassurance from a family member or friend.

Overcoming Mental Health Stigma

By taking people on her full #mentalhealth journey through music and writing, Jada has risen above the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. She feels freer because she is not hiding anymore. “Find what works for you, and be more open to helping yourself and helping others.”