Building our youth for the future | Adithi Ravikumar | TEDxYouth@KCHigh | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The content emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health, silencing stigma around periods, and promoting environmentally friendly practices, highlighting how small actions can lead to significant change.

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Venting out emotions and seeking support can alleviate mental health struggles and create a sense of relief and relaxation.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Addressing societal stigmas around mental health is crucial for fostering a supportive community where individuals feel safe to seek help.
• ♿ Destigmatizing periods is important to promote inclusivity and ensure access to menstrual hygiene products for all individuals.
• 💟 Embracing environmentally friendly practices, such as using eco-friendly products and recycling, is essential for a sustainable future and reducing pollution.
• 🥺 Small actions, like venting, destigmatizing, and promoting eco-friendly practices, can lead to significant change in personal and societal well-being.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Public education and awareness campaigns are vital in promoting mental health, breaking taboos around periods, and advocating for environmental consciousness.
• 🖐️ Collaboration and partnerships with NGOs and schools play a crucial role in creating positive change and empowering communities.

Transcript

foreign have you ever been so broke on the inside that you just start crying in the midst of doing a tiny everyday thing all you want to do is stop whatever you're doing and go back lie on your bed inside your blanket and then in public spaces when you've just lost it and then when someone looks at you you avoid looking back at them because you kno... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How can venting out emotions and seeking support alleviate mental health struggles?

Venting out emotions and seeking support, such as through talking to a trusted individual or therapist, can help alleviate mental health struggles by providing a release for emotions, gaining perspective, and receiving validation and understanding.

Q: Why is it important to address societal stigmas around mental health?

Addressing societal stigmas around mental health is essential because it creates a safe and supportive environment for individuals to seek help and reduce the shame and discrimination associated with mental health issues. It also encourages open conversations and understanding among communities.

Q: What are the goals of initiatives focused on destigmatizing periods?

Initiatives focused on destigmatizing periods aim to create awareness and conversation around menstruation, educate individuals about menstrual health, and break down societal taboos and stereotypes associated with periods. They promote inclusivity, understanding, and access to menstrual hygiene products.

Q: How do environmentally friendly practices contribute to a better future?

Embracing environmentally friendly practices, such as using eco-friendly products and recycling efforts, helps reduce waste, minimize pollution, and conserve natural resources. These practices contribute to a sustainable future and protect the environment for future generations.

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on moments of feeling overwhelmed and the importance of opening up and seeking support. They also discuss the power of small beginnings and the potential for creating change. The speaker shares personal experiences with mental health and how they are using their platform to raise awareness and provide resources. They also highlight two inspiring projects: Silencing Stigma, which aims to break the taboo around periods and provide support to women, and Green Forest Inc, which focuses on reducing plastic waste through environmentally-friendly products.

Questions & Answers

Q: Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt so overwhelmed that you couldn't hold it in anymore?

Yes, I have been in situations where the stress and pressure became too much, and I couldn't help but break down in tears. It can happen even during mundane activities, and all you really want is to retreat to the comfort of your bed and seek solace. These moments can be quite isolating, and it's important to remember that you are not alone in feeling this way.

Q: How did opening up and talking about your feelings with someone help you?

Opening up and discussing my feelings with my mother provided immense relief. While there were no immediate solutions, just venting and expressing my emotions lifted a weight off my shoulders and made me feel more relaxed. It helped me realize that keeping everything inside was a mistake, and reaching out for support can be incredibly beneficial.

Q: What is the significance of the phrase "big things have small beginnings"?

The phrase highlights the importance of starting small and recognizing that great accomplishments often stem from humble origins. Just like Newton's theory of gravity, which seemed basic and unsupported initially, ideas and projects grow through a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge. It's essential to resist the temptation for shortcuts and instead focus on steady improvement and persistence for long-term success.

Q: Can you tell me about the internship you attended with the Indian School of Leadership and the impact it had on you?

The internship with the Indian School of Leadership was a transformative experience. It was a program that brought together diverse individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds, all with a desire to make a positive difference in the world. Through various labs and initiatives, the internship cultivated the next generation of socially responsible youth leaders. It emphasized the potential we hold within us to change perspectives and bring about meaningful change.

Q: How did the experience at the internship inspire you to start your passion project, "Worthy Enough to Live"?

During the internship, I witnessed a concerning trend among young people. They were mistakenly using phrases like "I'm depressed" as a trendy statement, seeking attention without truly understanding the deep-rooted aspects of mental health. This inspired me to destigmatize these thoughts and create a safe community through "Worthy Enough to Live." I firmly believe that it is essential for individuals to exercise resilience and embrace growth to break the cycle of negative emotions.

Q: What is the role of social media, specifically Instagram, in your journey towards raising awareness about mental health?

Social media, particularly Instagram, has provided me with a platform to share my thoughts and raise awareness about the various factors that can impact mental health. I realized that many of us spend significant amounts of time online, so I decided to speak up about the risks associated with overthinking, anxiety, family issues, societal pressure, teenage relationships, and suicide. Journaling became an integral aspect, and I began posting daily prompts to encourage others to explore their emotions. The response has been overwhelming, with many people sharing how journaling has made a difference in their lives.

Q: Can you tell me about the projects Silencing Stigma and Green Forest Inc, and the impact they are making?

Silencing Stigma is an initiative focused on breaking the taboo around periods and providing support to women. The founders, Arya Mehta and Gia, aim to validate emotions and help individuals lead better lives. They have visited NGOs and educational institutions to create awareness about menstrual cycles and other related topics. Green Forest Inc, on the other hand, aims to reduce plastic waste by providing environmentally-friendly alternatives such as pens and home accessories. The founders, Sadhika and Samara, have collaborated with various organizations and worked with rural women to empower them economically. Both projects are making a remarkable impact by addressing societal issues and working towards a better future.

Q: How does the phrase "Small Beginnings" tie into the work being done by Silencing Stigma and Green Forest Inc?

The phrase "Small Beginnings" perfectly aligns with the work being done by Silencing Stigma and Green Forest Inc. Both projects started small, driven by a vision to create positive change. By addressing specific issues and taking consistent and persistent actions, they have been able to make significant strides in destigmatizing periods and reducing plastic waste. The size of the effort doesn't matter; what matters is the determination to make a positive impact in the community.

Takeaways

This video emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support during challenging times and highlights the power of small beginnings. It offers personal insights into mental health and the impact of opening up and discussing emotions. The speaker's passion project, "Worthy Enough to Live," showcases the role of social media in raising awareness about mental health and promoting techniques like journaling. Additionally, the inspiring projects, Silencing Stigma and Green Forest Inc, demonstrate how small initiatives can lead to significant change in addressing societal issues. The key takeaway is that everyone possesses the potential to create positive change, no matter how big or small their efforts may be.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author discusses personal experiences with mental health struggles and the importance of seeking support and venting out emotions.

• They emphasize the need to address societal stigmas around mental health issues and promote a safe community for individuals to express themselves.

• The content also highlights initiatives focused on destigmatizing periods and promoting environmentally friendly practices through the use of eco-friendly products and recycling efforts.