Ooo! This is one I actually know right off how to answer!
Hello! Wow, what a cool prompt!
I would talk about mental health. Especially in youth and young adults in school
Wow, what a great topic!
I'm pretty passionate about it
Are you studying psychology right now?
Yuperdoodle
Hahaha, I think I would also add the importance of thinking about mental health for people who are incarcerated
I would definitely agree! I actually had the opportunity recently to visit the state prison I was helping arrange the adoption of an inmate's baby
If you were to make a suggestion to improve mental health in any one of those areas, or perhaps in general, what do you think would be most helpful?
And it was super eye-opening. I would say a vast majority of them have psychological issues, independent of substance abuse causes Hmm More funding in school, less in jail
Because you're right, I read a study once about how many people are predicted to have mental health issues that wind up in jail at some point
A school counselor or two in every school Which lowers incarceration and recidivism rates
I used to work for a company that built software for correctional facilities, and mental health is a big issue that nurses and doctors worry about
Mhmm. I bet
I was talking to my wife about this the other day actually, and I suggested having students take a mental health assessment each year, much like they do when they do a physical to sign up for athletic activities. Do you think that would be feasible?
YES And very very good
But what kind of cost would be associated with that? How long does it take to do a comprehensive mental assessment? I don't know the answer to those aspects of it.
If they can take standardized tests for a week, they can take an hour long test at the beginning of each semester I would say it should be more like a survey that could easily be administered on a computer. But that answers could be reviewed and followed up on. So counselors could help some students with risk factors I would recommend the beginning of every semester
Absolutely, that seems to me like it would totally work, while still minimizing cost and time required
And also teachers should integrate emotional intelligence lessons in curriculum Because, in the end, (while this is debated), I believe school should be to make good humans Because information fades
I agree with that as well, it shouldn't just be for intellectual purposes, I think morals are a big issue. How do you see yourself fitting into this world? Do you want to be a counselor? A researcher?
Exactly. With lessons in character integrated in the course material I want to be a school counselor Hahah, which explains all of the abovev *above But research would be important as well
Haha, well it is really good to have such strong passion for something that I think is crucial. Do you have to get a graduate degree to be a counselor?
Yes. But for some positions you only need a Master's However, if you want to be a psychologist, a doctorate is require *required
Ah, I see. Do school counselors end up in the same wage bracket as teachers? As in, do they get underpaid relative to others that have equivalent education? Because that's something else that really fires me up, teachers making no money!
I would say so. Maybe not as little as teachers. But YEAH I am miffed that we are baffled that we have all these social issues but we place so little importance in the younger generation's education! That's why I'm pushing for more counselors in schools and less emphasis in imprisonment If we can have qualified, happy and trained teachers to care for their kids. We have to pay them a living wage first
Absolutely. Well I definitely commend you for that, I think people like you are helping to pave the way for our better future.
I hope so... Hahah I get so frustrated sometimes Like, you may think differently, but I am absolutely over the gun issue debate, since I think so much could be prevented if we invest more in the quality of our schools
Yes, that's exactly what had caused me to talk to my wife about mental health.
How about we teach kids how to handle their emotions, instead of arguing whether we need or son't need guns Hahah, yup! I've talked it over a lot with my spouse too
Gun violence is what we see as a result of a lack of mental education.
YES
I've been trying to think of a good analogy for it...but I'm still working on that lol.
Like, we shouldn't be arguing about guns right now, there's an obvious mental health problem going on here that is being ignored
Some basic way to point out the absurdity of the issue.
Well, it's like with many psychological therapies. Like, if someone has anger management issues, you don't take away things that could make them angry Or give other people fodder to be retaliatory to that anger
Yes, and I think that makes perfect sense to people
You TEACH THE PERSON how to manage their emotions
But why doesn't it seem to extend to mental health?
If you want lasting positive results at least Well, it does, but not a lot of people know that yet. I think we just have to change the doalogue *dialogue Get it out in the open
Right, I meant that as in: why hasn't society already made that jump?
Gotcha Yeah. Well, I think we're fighting pressure and traditions from previous generational cultures that look down on mental health
I know so many people, or at least have talked to people in the past, who even say that they think people who claim that they have mental health issues just need to "get over it" Hahaha precisely!
Yup. I have battled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder since early adolescence but wasn't diagnosed until 3 years ago And the first thing my mom said when I told her was: Aw, you don't need therapy, you're just stressed Take a load off. You care too much Then, the next time we talked and I hadn't improved, she told me that I was being unreasonable and that I didn't want to be another person stunting themself
And that's absolutely terrible, but yet to be honest I can't say that I'm surprised because it does seem to be the norm for lots of people from the older generation that just think that way.
Definitely. And it was actually a really good experience for me. Since I've been able to wise up to that And confront it when I see it
This may be a bit bold, but I just had the thought that it's somewhat akin to the fact that 100 years ago people were inherently racist, because they grew up that way.
Yeah, totally.
And it's not to talk down at all in any way, it's just a generational thing, society takes time to mature, but I wish we could make it mature faster.
Cultural phases of what's appropriate or not. Hahah, yeah!
Ah, that's a great way to explain it. A cultural phase, I like that
Well, it takes activism, and I think our generation is doing pretty well with starting it Normalizing mental health so it can be talked about without shame And then treated appropriately
I agree. I'd like to get your opinion on somewhat of a tangential topic, stepping away from mental health but still talking about culture and understanding
OKie doke
What are your thoughts on celiac disease? It seems to have exploded and I know lots of people who are gluten intolerant, but it wasn't a thing 10 years ago. What changed, if anything?
Heeheehee... Well, first off I should say that I have never followed a diet in my life and am also not allergic to anything
Fair enough, I fit in that same category
So my opinions may be both ignorant and biased But I believe that it is both being overexaggerated and legitimized Much like how the internet has brought more things in the world to light, one might think that there is more of this or that happening, when really it might just be that we're getting better at identifying things And we hear about it more.
Yes, and I think I share your same opinion, but is it possible that we're actually the ignorant ones that need to recognize the truth of the issue, etc.? It's not quite the same as mental health, but it's just something I've been grappling with recently
I also believe in the placebo effect It's possible, totally. Which is why I think there may be more people that are gluten intolerant than we thought there should be ,just because we are better at identifying it now Same thing is happening with depression, anxiety and ADHD And autism
And yet, somebody like your mom 3 years ago might say the same thing to us today about mental health, so as a big picture idea, how can one form good solid opinions about things that matter, while still identifying things that actually are being overdramatized?
We're just getting better, by way of more advanced tech and medicine at seeing and diagnosing it I think it's important to keep an open mind and always admit that we don't know as much as some would like to think they do Always be willing to revise your opinions, or be comfortable not having an opinion about something for a while
That's fair. I actually really like and appreciate that response of being comfortable not having an opinion yet, that's a great suggestion.
And if someone asks you what your opinion is you can say it's up in the air because you acknowledge both sides And that nothing is as simple as some would like to say.
Very true.
Alright, I've gotta get to work
Jelg, thanks for such an awesome chat, you've given me a lot to think about, but I have to take off now. Class is over
Thank you for this chat! Hahah!
Haha perfect timing. Take care, nice to meet you