Episode: 037 “See Them, Hear Them: Mental Health and Our Children”                 

Airdate: November 10, 2021

Length: 45:36

Guests: Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD

As we discuss mental health, trauma, and wellness for this series of episodes it is imperative that we talk about mental health as it relates to our youth. Pre-pandemic, it was already a concern, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, with social distancing, distant learning, mask-wearing, and the division in our country, the issues around mental health and our children has become more concerning. For example, there is a rise in teenage girls from 14-18 in depression and suicide ideation and attempts. This is even more pronounced among Latina and African American teenage girls.

Dr. Sinclair talks about her passion for psychology and giving back to her community since she was a young girl and how it translates to her work today. In this episode she talks about being attentive and proactive about our children’s mental wellbeing. She cautions us to not be afraid of the labels that society may put on us if it is learn we as adults or our children are struggling with mental health. If adults struggle with talking about it and exposing that to others, then how much more would our youth struggle with disclosing and addressing it. We must pay attention.

She helps us distinguish between legitimate mental health issues or crises and the ordinary “having a bad day” that children may have. Their ability or capacity to function and participate fully versus withdrawing from activities is the primary indicator of a mental health crisis. It is better to be proactive and preventative than reactionary. She encourages us to listen to our youth. Ask questions. See them. Hear them.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.