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Antonio's avatar

I'm so glad the Gray, Lancy, Bjorkland article is highlighted here. While there is likely no singular cause of the teen mental health crisis, I wish we (collectively) would take much more seriously the impact of reduced opportunities for free play, independent exploration, and the autonomy of young people in schools, at home, and in the community. There is so much energy poured into trying to improve the mental health of young people as if the problem is the individual, and if our intervention can fix the child then the problem is fixed, and not enough energy directed toward the possibility that the root problem is that young people don't feel they have any control over their lives. And when we feel we don't have any control then that opens the door to suffering. And until the lack of control is addressed there will continue to be more and more kids who suffer.

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ChristineAhhh Castigliano's avatar

So much goodness here. 🙏🏼 You inspire me to re-engage with youngers, potentially as a Responder. As a former Teen Talking Circle facilitator and Youth Suicide Prevention curriculum developer, Lisa Damour's bit about Agenda-Free adults in a teen's life is so powerful.

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