Call to Mind: Life’s Not On Hold – Teens Navigate Missed Milestones

On January 28, 2021, Colorado Public Radio hosted a webinar with teens, a youth mental health professional, and youth advocate, author, and educator, Rosalind Wiseman.

The coronavirus response has disrupted the lives of young people in many ways, resulting in missed milestones and opportunities. Life is not “on hold” for teens this year, it’s still moving forward. How are young people finding ways to cope with the disappointments and tangible setbacks? How are teens taking care of their well-being during the pandemic?

The discussion opened with three teens sharing their experiences with living life during this global pandemic. From missed quinceaneras, to lost sports seasons, to missing marching band, these young people described in their own words what it’s been like and how they are coping. A licensed therapist and school social worker along with teen mental health advocate and author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, Rosalind Wiseman, explored solutions for navigating these unprecedented losses. One of those most striking pieces of advice—find meaning in the moments we DO have, as opposed to focusing on the moments that have been lost. It is well worth the listen if you missed it; a full recording can be found here.

The event was co-produced by Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster new conversations about mental health and Colorado Public Radio as part of the Well Beings Campaign and The Youth Mental Health Project, presented by WETA.