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Gaining Resilience in Teens (GRIT) is a program
developed by a CHC committee with Jennifer Keith taking the lead in
organizing and presenting the program. The committee worked to come
up with workshops that would address the modern day concerns of kids
and help them with their coping skills and making wise decisions for
their life.
The workshops addressed some of the concerns that were recorded in
the most recent Logan County Youth Survey conducted through the CHC.
In that survey there were some very disturbing results.
The survey found that by eighth grade 35% of Logan
County students had already used a substance (alcohol, cigarettes,
inhalants or marijuana) in the past year. By 10th grade that
increased to 59% and by 12th grade that increased to 65%.
In addition, the recent Logan County Community Health Needs
Assessment identified substance abuse, mental health and obesity as
priority health needs in Logan County.
The workshops held on Friday addressed those concerns with breakout
sessions.
STEP OUT STRESS featured Mario Canon, Cardio and Deiy Shuff
and Nikki Chapman speaking about meditation and yoga. This event was
required by all students.
Other sessions were selected with students attending three out of
the nine offered throughout the day.
The Creative Quest: Becoming who you want to be by being who you
are
This workshop talked about the pressure that is put on teens to
decide what they will be. Teens are often asked what do you want to
be, what do you want to do. Adam Quine led the workshop that
emphasized that happiness comes not from deciding what you will be,
but by understanding who you are. “Our culture
tells us we should be productive by becoming “something.” What if we
consider what might happen if we choose to become “someone.” Our
time together will reveal the one truth about all people: We are
creative beings capable of inspiring beauty into the world. The key
to happiness is never forgetting that the creative quest is an ever
evolving process that requires two things: *only and always* for you
to be true to you!" (copied from
program)
Career Connections
Katy Reynolds led this workshop where students played an interactive
game as they explored 40 different career options. They also learned
some key information about their career choices such as what a
particular job might yield in their paycheck and the education
required to perform that particular job.
Grab your cape and become super-resilient
From the program – “Superheroes become
superheroes usually after a traumatic event occurs in their life.
Their “recovery” generally involves the person evolving into a
superhero or a supervillain. Learn how trauma impacts your life
(social, health and mental). The session was led by Lesli
Hake.
Having the courage to speak your truth led by Chris Schaffner
This session talked about peer pressure and making choices for one’s
self based on what others are doing and encouraging you to do.
Schaffner, who works with drug dependency programs, talked
specifically about how to be unafraid to reject pressure and be your
own person even under pressure.
Being a great friend to all, including yourself
This workshop led by Chad Eimer addressed bullying from a victim
perspective. What is bullying and how do you get through it. The
workshop talked about reaching out to others for help when bullying
occurs and how to approach the subject and with whom.
Music – Food for Life presented by Zach Ramsey
From the program - Music is awesome! It hits
us in ways other things just can’t. It pumps us up, makes us safe,
and can bring us down. Music feeds who we are. So what kind of
person is your music feeding and creating? Let’s figure that out!
Wellness without Obsession: Tips for balanced nutrition and the
establishment of a healthy body image
Shae Hoffman led this session that focused on healthy eating habits
and the “dangers of diet culture.” The speaker led the students into
an understanding of self-image and discussions about having a
healthy bod image.
Success starts with C? Effective communication a key to
self-expression
Nadia Klekamp led this workshop that addressed how to enhance your
communication skills. Students talked about how to handle conflict
peacefully through words, how to share feelings and ideas and how to
enhance cooperation between peers with effective communication.
From the program – “Teens who are effective
communicators are better able to make decisions consistent with
their goals and develop healthy relationships.”
YOUR STORY – You’ve got a friend in me
Quentin Brackenridge led this last workshop on the program and
talked with students about the rewards and challenges of building
friendships. The discussion addressed how our friends are there for
us to comfort and support when needed and how they influence us.
Brackenridge led a “fun and exciting discussion on exploring your
story and learn how to make long lasting friends.”
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Keynote by Jennifer Keith
The day began on Friday with a keynote address by Jennifer Keith.
Keith, a former teacher, wife and mother, drew from her vast
experiences in life, mixed with a little bit of comedic license to
address some of the core issues that teens face today including
depression.
She spoke to the kids about developing good coping skills and
“tricking their brain” into being happy.
She told the students that play is the opposite of depression and
that it is good to play and relieve stress. She said play promotes
positive thinking, and positive thinking can turn the work stuff
into good stuff.
As an example she drew on some popular scenes from
the classic kid’s movie Mary Poppins. Recalling the scenes where
children are having fun while performing the nasty chore of cleaning
their rooms, Keith said that if people have the attitude that it is
a game they are going to enjoy they can make it through a task with
a much better attitude.
Using quotes from Mark Twain, Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln and
Oprah Winfrey, she defined ways to maintain positive thinking.
Keith shared that there is a magic ratio of positive to negative
moments and said that it is 5:1. There are five positives for every
one negative in a person’s day. However, that one negative has the
potential to wipe out all five positive interactions. So the goal is
to work to not dwell on the negatives, but rather bask in the
positives and be grateful for them.
Each student had been given a journal at the beginning of the day.
She told the students that part of their departing assignment was to
write in their journal. She said to help learn about positive
thoughts and gratitude she wanted the students to every day write
down two things they are grateful for. The gratitude doesn’t have to
be big, but it does need to be sincere. She said something as small
as “My mom packed me a lunch today” or “I don’t have homework
tonight” is a real positive emotion even if it does seem small.
Students were also assigned to “find the funny.” Keith said that
funny things happen to and around everyone. Writing those items in a
journal gives the students a resource for a fun memory when they are
going through a tough time. She advised the students to write down
those funny moments and on days when they are feeling down go back
to the journal and read the funny to brighten their mood.
Students were also told to record when they are GRITty. She
explained that when people have control of their reactions they
“keep the power.” She said that what goes on around us may be out of
our control, but how we react is completely in our control. She told
the students “feel your feelings, but control your reactions.” And,
write it down. When one is strong, maintaining that memory will help
one to be strong again in the future. Going back to read an account
of strength will help bolster the courage the next time.
Keith also said that it was alright to have “pity parties’ but to
remember that those parties have “expiration dates.”
Keith said that when kids are down and sad, they can “trick your
brain to be happy.”
The keys she said are to hang out with smiling people and be a
smiling person. She said smiles generate smiles in others. She said
kids could crank their tunes, watch something funny or spend time
with something or someone they love like a pet. They can also
generate happiness in themselves by doing something for others that
will enhance their happiness.
As Keith wrapped up her presentation she led the kids
in her version of Sweet Caroline that she called “I’ve got GRIT.”
The students really got into the music and the room became a music
hall as everyone joined in. At the end of the keynote the kids were
dispersed to their various breakout sessions for the day.
Organizers and the CHC dubbed the first installment of GRIT as a
great success and anticipate more GRIT programs in the future.
[Nila Smith] |
