Sessions 8/31/23 | In The Company of Wolves (Sydney and Brayden Guerrette) | TEDxChattanooga Salon

TL;DR

A discussion about mental health, suicide, and youth empowerment, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and community support.

Transcript

I think with that I think we should listen to in the company of wolves so we bring them out give him a little round of applause yeah company of w my friends we are going to be talking about some very difficult heavy topics tonight um a lot of what we talk about is mental health and so we're going to be mentioning suicide some of our own struggles b... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety, are common among young people.
• 😒 Encouraging youth to use their talents and make a positive impact can help improve their mental well-being.
• 🤨 Storytelling can be a powerful tool to raise awareness, foster empathy, and create a sense of community.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Conversations about mental health should be initiated with empathy and understanding, even if one doesn't have all the answers.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Community support and resources are crucial in addressing mental health issues among young people.
• 🤗 The COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to adapt their activities, focusing on virtual platforms and open mic performances.
• 👯 Youth empowerment should be prioritized to help young people realize their potential and become leaders of today.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the focus of Be the Change Youth Initiative?

Be the Change Youth Initiative encourages young people to utilize their gifts and talents to create positive change in the world.

Q: How do the speakers address mental health concerns among youth?

The speakers openly discuss their own struggles with depression, suicide, body dysmorphia, and anxiety, aiming to highlight the common nature of these issues and promote a sense of community and understanding.

Q: What is the significance of storytelling in their work?

Storytelling is used as a powerful tool to share personal experiences and shed light on the struggles faced by young people, promoting empathy, understanding, and connection.

Q: How did the organization adapt their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Due to the pandemic, they shifted their focus to doing open mic performances and speaking engagements in schools, spreading their message of mental health awareness and support.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses their organization, Be the Change Youth Initiative, which encourages youth to use their talents and make a difference in the world.

• They share their own struggles with mental health and comparison on social media, highlighting the commonality of these issues among teens.

• The organization travels across the US, conducting shows and talking to youth about fundraising, leadership, and the importance of pursuing life despite making mistakes.