Dr. Jean M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, did you ever open up my eyes yesterday at Mental Health Empowerment Day 2020!
This is the 4th annual Mental Health Empowerment Day and like all other conferences in 2020, it was virtual. However, I am delighted to say that it did not disappoint! Thank you, @leannematlow, @michelleviner, and @socialdownfall1! The 90 minutes that I spent absorbing all of what was said felt like 10 minutes. This conference was chock full of relevant, crucial, information where I was nodding my head, smiling, and even saying “Heck yeah!” as I feverishly wrote down notes.
I really loved the fact that Dr. Jean M. Twenge spoke so well. Slowly, clearly and so easy to understand. Before diving into the details, she shared that she is a mother of three girls, aged 8, 11, and 14. A relatable quality, that I am sure everyone listening appreciated. Dr. Twenge also explained all about the different types of generations. Hey, we need to know who we are talking about.
The Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (Born 1965-1980 – that would be me), the Millenials (born 1981-1996), and then finally the igen or Gen Z – those born between 1996-2010. This is the group that she mainly spoke about. It’s all explained here.
Three key factors that play a huge role in the mental health of a teen:
Since COVID struck, teens spent more time on Facetime and less on social media as a whole. As much as we wish our kids can just pick up the damn phone and call their friends, they chose their form of communication wisely. Kudos to them! They obviously missed seeing the faces of their friends at school.
On the other hand, being at school is not everyone’s “happy place”. Some find it extremely stressful, which can affect their academics and overall mood. For some teens, being homeschooled was somewhat of a relief.
Dr. Twenge compared this pandemic to WWII, which had an enormous international impact on everyone’s day-to-day lives. On a positive note, the after-effects from that time were astonishing, as much was accomplished afterward. I can’t wait to see what our igen or Gen X’ers will do next.
It’s the end of October, and we live in Canada, so you know it’s coming. The snow. The ice. Don’t forget about that nasty wind-chill. Especially the fact that it will start getting dark at 4:30 PM.
From the wise words of Michelle Obama, “Grief and Resilience live here.” rings true. These times are not easy, but the benefits that will be learned from the experience of living through a pandemic will be priceless.
I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write about you and your passions for the Braves The Waves Journal, or for your own company, please be in touch.
