The Harris Poll’s Post

Thank you Samantha Maltin for doing this work and sharing with the community! 🙏 👉 Of significant note in the findings ... "And there is reason for hope: Americans see kindness and resilience as pathways to improving well-being. Strong majorities of Americans say it’s important for society to promote kindness (85%) and resilience (83%), with over a third (42% and 35%, respectively) saying it’s extremely important. Eighty-two percent agree, “My well-being would improve if society was kinder”—increasing to 89% when asked about children. Seventy-two percent agree, “My well-being would improve if I had the tools to be more resilient”—increasing to 88% when asked about children." #children #mentalhealth #education #publicpolicy

I’m so proud to share Sesame Workshop’s first-of-its-kind index on the state of well-being in America. In partnership with The Harris Poll, we’re shedding light on today's mental health crisis with a new annual poll that will allow us to keep a pulse on the well-being of Americans and their families and contribute to our collective understanding of what drives well-being today.   This all started with Elmo's viral tweet earlier this year, when he checked in to see how everyone was doing. We could not have predicted the overwhelming response that followed, and as both that moment and this new study indicate, the most pressing issue facing American families right now is mental health and emotional well-being.    What's most compelling is that the Americans we polled said that getting honest about mental health and asking for help are critical steps to improving the state of well-being today: 💡 67% of all Americans, with those numbers going up to 79% of parents, agree, “I wish my parents had been more honest with me about their mental health struggles”—suggesting that today’s parents are looking to break the silence around mental health with their own children.  💡 82% of Gen Z and Millennials agree, “I wish I had been taught more about how to understand and manage my emotions as a child,” compared to 65% of respondents from older generations. That number jumps even higher to 84% of parents, signaling a major generational shift around the appreciation of speaking openly and honestly about emotional well-being from a young age. It’s incredibly encouraging to witness this growing openness around mental health conversations. The need for our work at Sesame Workshop has never been more urgent or more relevant. Huge thanks to Hallie Ruvin Jill Crane Beatrice Chow and John Gerzema Libby Rodney Danielle Sumerlin for all of your efforts on this important work. Check out the full report here https://lnkd.in/edruaMub and visit sesame.org/mentalhealth for our extensive resources designed to support children and families.

Grateful to Elmo, Sesame Workshop and The Harris Poll for their work in encouraging people to share about their mental health, and in highlighting how Americans view the importance of continuing to invest in mental health care and education! In May, Sesame Workshop collaborated with The Harris Poll to survey over 2,000 people - finding that people perceived mental health and education as equally important as economic stability, and that economic stability must be accompanied by investments in mental health and education. Read more findings, thoughts and takeaways from the index here: https://lnkd.in/eJ7gXU-f

Are we seeing higher rates of mental illness in Gen Z because... A) More people are talking and there is less stigma? OR B) Our youth really are struggling more than ever? Over the weekend I was featured in The Guardian talking about the impact of adverse childhood experiences, the ways trauma can impact a persons life through education, the importance of service when it comes to supporting our own wellbeing, and how when the world around us feels out of control it's important we regain control through our behaviours. “The thing we often miss when it comes to supporting ourselves is the idea of service. We think about therapy, going to the gym, getting more sleep or more money. We focus on what we need." "But we rarely ask ‘what I can give to someone else?’ If we can help a lady across the road who struggles with her shopping, and now she’s got three hours extra because it’s a long trip for her, we’re feeling gratitude, she’s smiling – and we feel more connected." He went from hopelessness to wanting to change the world. “For young people, the world at the moment is a very scary place. We can’t control any of that. But there are things we can do. I can control how much social media I use and how I’m looking after myself. And I can control my values and who I want to live as.” I'd love to hear what you think on this one!

I recently read the article below, "Maybe Your Teen Doesn't Need a Mental-Health Day," and forewarning: I have strong feelings on this. I've spoken a lot about youth mental health (especially about my concerns associated with prevalence inflation) and to be clear: the data on rates of anxiety, depression, isolation and loneliness, school absenteeism, etc. is staggering and speaks for itself about our national youth mental health crisis. But working with youth in-person, one-on-one provides an even more critical anecdote. If you've followed any of my work on #genzoom, you know that youth often misstate or have difficulty identifying their need at hand. Our kids are struggling and they need adults to empathize, show compassion, and demonstrate absolute support of their journey. This doesn't mean caving to their every whim and stated need. → We can empathize and also create boundaries. → We can be compassionate and also create expectations. The article infers that Mental Health Days are a problem because they teach kids that it's okay to avoid things that make them feel uncomfortable things. It uses examples of parents who are overly accommodating to their children's stated needs to make the point that Mental Health Days are only problematic. Mental Health Days in and of themselves aren't the problem—in my opinion, the problem is that adults do not know how to or are unable to engage in open, difficult dialogue with their children and instate/uphold firm expectations of them. This is the role of an adult and the role that youth look to us to play. Would love to hear the input of others who do/don't encourage Mental Health Days with their children!

I am so glad this book exists. Social media companies are only a few decades old, yet their impacts on youth mental health have been devastating. Prioritizing profit over the health, wellness, and safety of young people comes at a cost too great -- and it's our job as adults to take collective, urgent action. Run, don't walk, to read Jonathan Haidt's #TheAnxiousGeneration. https://lnkd.in/gQ-hJRGv

This is a great way to begin to address the youth mental health crisis. "Public-private partnership launches Youth Mental Health Corps May 20, 2024 - According to AmeriCorps, one in three high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness. Approximately 122 million people live in a mental health professional shortage area, where there is a shortage of more than 6,000 practitioners, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Youth Mental Health Corps aims to help teenagers access critical mental health resources and bolster the mental health workforce. Other partners include America’s Service Commissions, America Forward, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest, which worked together to establish the initiative, will provide financial support to participating state service commissions to design and adapt the initiative to meet local needs, including providing training and credentials to AmeriCorps members. Hundreds of AmeriCorps members will be deployed in (11 states) Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas starting in September 2024. Seven other states—California, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Utah—have received planning grants and intend to launch their own Corps in the fall of 2025. “National service is a win-win for addressing the teen mental-health crisis because it allows young adults to support each other peer-to-peer while gaining valuable skills and experience, getting paid and earning a credential,” said Schultz Family Foundation co-founder and chair Sheri Kersch Schultz. “The Youth Mental Health Corps demonstrates the power of philanthropy, business, government and non-profits partnering to create innovative solutions to critical national challenges.” #MentalHealthAwareness

Pleased to contribute to this story in the Observer which explores the rise in young people's mental health problems. The article does not antagonise generations by highlighting the differences but instead focusses on the differing circumstances in which we all live and how these influence our outlook and mental health. Make sure to read Matilda’s experience and views on this issue, who is supporting Mind: “We know poor mental health is not on the rise; it’s always been present. It’s just the new generation, which I guess I’m part of, simply being unable to repress it any more. It’s come to a breaking point, and that breaking point can be seen throughout the entire world, through social rights and social injustice and climate breakdown.” Whilst there is no single explanation for the rise in young people’s mental health problems, it is important for the government to address them by increasing funding for mental health services, including for CAMHS, as well as expanding the roll-out of early support hubs for young people. To read the story, see here: https://lnkd.in/eqAnQYaG

As fall kicks into high gear, many families adjust to their new routines and responsibilities. This season can be exciting and challenging, making it beneficial to have someone to talk to while navigating new relationships and expectations. As a parent, I know that many of us struggle with finding the right questions to ask our teenage children to connect with them and find out what’s going on in their lives. It’s a delicate balance between being supportive and not overwhelming them.   Today, on World Mental Health Day, it's important to highlight the impact of mental health in our daily lives. At AT&T, we get it, and we're proud to team up with partners who do, too. Earlier this year, our partner Lyra Health launched Lyra Care for Teens, providing mental health coaching for parents and specialized support for teens. This service offers tailored, evidence-based content, guided practices, and assessments to help families and teens thrive.    Our U.S. employees and their families can access Lyra at no cost to them. This invaluable platform is a flagship resource we encourage, ensuring that our employees and their loved ones receive the care they need.   Remember, checking in on your kids, other parents, and yourself isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing conversation that contributes to overall wellbeing. Regular communication helps build trust and understanding, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.   What strategies do you use to get your teens to open up? What are some questions you ask your kids to help them share their thoughts and feelings?   #MentalHealth #Lyra #WorldMentalHealthDay

I am pleased to share research by The Jed Foundation (JED) from our new report, “Unraveling the Stigma: Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Teens,” made possible by the support of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health. Compiled from a national sample of more than 1,500 teens ages 13 to 17, the study found that stigma is not a top barrier for teens seeking help and that they are now turning primarily to their parents for emotional support, rather than friends. While 74% of teens say it is a sign of strength to reach out for their mental health, 42% say they lack the words to ask for help — particularly if they are members of historically marginalized communities. Each new generation forms their own perspectives on mental health and where they can turn for support. It’s important for us to focus on young people today and help them overcome the barriers they face. That way, supportive adults can better understand and enable teens to share their feelings and access the help they need. To read our report and check out a roadmap for supportive adults to help protect the young people in their lives, visit https://bit.ly/4bn0vMw.