Middle school and high school youth are part of Generation Z and more likely to report anxiety and other mental health issues. Now, two new resources to help these young people are available for free download from the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium.
The Social/ Emotional Health Quicksheet provides a list of check-in questions that can be used in group settings or, say, in a group text check-in to help nurture the mental health of youth.
Partnering with Parents for Hard Conversations encourages youth leaders and congregations to equip parents to set aside time to talk to their youth about what is happening in their world.
Both of the informational documents – and more information about youth mental health – are included in an article published online June 24, 2021 by Paul Seebeck of Presbyterian News Service.
The informational documents – referred to as QuickSheets – are among more than 75 posted online by PC(USA). Click here for a complete list of topics, including mission and devotional ideas, games, seasonal activities and theological discussions.
For Gina Yeager-Buckly, associate for Presbyterian Youth and Triennium, talking about mental-health, providing tools for self-care and modeling mental health are as important and vital to the life and faith of young people as anything else followers of Christ do in the church to serve God faithfully.
And the church must work to understand why Generation Z is reporting more mental health concerns and not dismiss those concerns as a “generational issue,” she says. While Yeager-Buckley worries about the statistics and the effect the pandemic has had on youth, she also wonders if “the vocal, viral, judgmental and tough world” they’re growing up in is also in some way “strengthening their awareness” that can help youth develop grit. “Remember how you were seen when young and help young people to be a part of your circles of faith, prayer, worship and fellowship, where all ages learn together.”
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