Rising Mental Health Needs of
Teens & Young Adults

In light of pandemic-related isolation conditions and the compounded chronic stress of 2020, we spoke with faith leaders and experts about the mental health of teens and young adults. With rising rates of suicide and mental health crises among our young people, it is more important than ever to address the care strategies every chaplain and congregational leader should know. On September 2, 2020 the Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime, Director of Religion and Civic Engagement at Odyssey Impact led a panel of faith leaders and chaplains working on the front line with young adults and teens who shared their wide-ranging experiences in responding in this moment.
Resources to help lead congregations, communities and classroom discussions on the mental health of teens and young adults.
To help you in your work, please review the video excerpts of the intimate conversation, curated by Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass, Loyola University, along with brief expert reflections, discussion questions and suggested additional resources.
Toxic Positivity:
When the Glass Half Full Overflows
Curated Video Clip #1
Duration [4:31-5:53]
Intersectionality and the Stigma
of Mental Illness
Curated Video Clip #2
Duration [24:21-31:11]
Care Strategies to Come Alongside
Teens and Young Adults
Curated Video Clip #3
Duration [40:38-41:15, 42:45-45:30, 45:57-47:30]
Expert Reflection and Discussion Guide
We hope that the accompanying written resources will support you in your work while leading your congregations and in educational settings during this time. We have heard from our wider network that these “bite-sized” resources are ideal for clergy cohort groups, deacon/congregational care teams, seminary education modules, and general faith leader edification and support.
Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass
For these curated video clips and written resources, we are grateful to Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass of Loyola University, a pastoral counselor and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Panel Moderator:
Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Director of Religion and Civic Engagement
Odyssey Impact
Panelists:
Imam Jawad Bayat
Chaplain and ACPE Educator
Center for Spiritual Care
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
ACPE Certified Educator/CPE Supervisor
Advocate South Suburban Hospital & Advocate Trinity Hospital
Chicago, IL
Rolf R. Nolasco, Jr.
Professor of Pastoral Theology
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Evanston, IL
Daniel Warshawsky
Branch Engagement Director
United Synagogue Youth
Chicago, IL
Rev. Dr. Scott Weimer
Senior Pastor (recently retired)
North Ave. Presbyterian Church
Atlanta, GA