This week’s podcast features a chat with three high school seniors from Hinsdale Central, just outside of Chicago. Zara, Rami, and Molly have started Chase Light, a group focused on breaking down the stigma around mental health and offering support to their peers. They were inspired by the community support seen in Alcoholics Anonymous and want to help other teens deal with stress and mental health issues that are common in high school. They talk honestly about how adults often don’t quite understand what teens need when it comes to mental health and give some ideas on what could be better. They also discuss how smartphones and social media add to the stress, making this a really relevant conversation for both parents and teens. Tune in to hear their stories and the positive impact they’re aiming to have.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

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Quick recap

The group discussed the challenges faced by young men in expressing their emotions and the societal pressures that contribute to these behaviors. They also explored the impact of social media on their lives, with Zara sharing her personal experience of deleting social media for six months and Rami using it as a motivation. Lastly, they shared techniques for managing stress and anxiety, with Zara emphasizing the importance of planning, taking breaks, and listening to their kids.

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Summary

Overcoming Emotional Vulnerability in Society
Zara shared her personal journey of overcoming her initial reluctance to discuss her feelings and how it led her to create an organization to help others navigate similar situations. She highlighted the challenges faced by young men in expressing their emotions, attributing this to societal expectations and the need to appear tough. Zara’s friends, Molly and Sarah, agreed with her observations, noting the difference in vulnerability between young men and women. Todd, the facilitator, acknowledged the challenges faced by both genders and emphasized the importance of emotional vulnerability in connecting with others. The group agreed that societal expectations and conditioning play a significant role in shaping these behaviors.

High School Pressure and Competition
Todd and Zara discussed the pressure and competitiveness they feel in their high school community, particularly regarding college applications. Zara shared her personal experience of feeling pressure to attend a prestigious college, despite her parents not being overly concerned about her choice. She also mentioned the influence of social media, such as TikTok, where students share their college acceptances and extracurricular activities, creating a sense of competition. Todd acknowledged the cultural and societal factors contributing to this pressure, and Zara agreed that it was not just coming from parents or school advisors, but also from peers and social media.

Social Media Perspectives and Usage
In the meeting, Zara, Rami, and Todd discussed their perspectives on social media. Zara expressed her belief that social media can be both positive and negative, depending on the platform and how it’s used. She also shared her personal experience of deleting social media for six months during Covid, which made her the happiest person on earth. Rami, on the other hand, uses social media as a motivation to improve himself. Todd agreed with both perspectives, noting that social media can be both fun and toxic. The group also discussed the hypocrisy of parents telling their kids not to use social media while they themselves use it. Zara suggested that parents should have conversations with their kids about social media rather than punishing them for using it. The group also discussed the importance of having activities and scheduling things in their day to avoid addiction to social media.

Managing Stress and Music Preferences
In the meeting, Todd, Zara, and Molly discussed techniques for managing stress and anxiety. Zara shared her strategy of planning her day, which helps her stay organized and reduces stress. She also mentioned that she takes breaks when feeling overwhelmed and tries to approach tasks with a fresh mind. Molly agreed with Zara’s approach and added that music helps her stay motivated and in a better mood. The group also discussed their favorite artists and music genres, with Zara expressing a preference for 2016 music and Molly appreciating a variety of genres. Lastly, Zara emphasized the importance of listening to their kids and taking care of themselves while supporting their children.