Old Tools

Old Tools

Episode: 037

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Transcript

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Hello, and welcome to The Overflow Podcast. My
name is Craig Booker.

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The title of this episode is Old Tools.

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The material in this episode is inspired by Seen by Will Hutcherson & Chinwé Williams.

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Note: I will talk a lot about mental
health, but please note this is not a substitute for therapy or mental healthcare.

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The title of this episode is Old
Tools. We’re starting a new study on the

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book Seen – Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Through the Power of

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connection. In the book, Will opens with a

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story about one of what he calls his top students or his favorite students, Tyler.

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And he says you know, he goes on saying

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you’re not really supposed to have
favorites, but he really enjoyed spending

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time with this student named Tyler. And
so Tyler was a 17-year-old student who

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he described as funny respectful and

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he described as funny respectful and
smart and it appeared as if Tyler had it

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smart and it appeared as if Tyler had it

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smart and it appeared as if Tyler had it
all together together on the inside

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all together together on the inside

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all together together on the inside
Tyler was struggling with despair will

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Tyler was struggling with despair will

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Tyler was struggling with despair will
says he shared with me the struggle he

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says he shared with me the struggle he

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says he shared with me the struggle he
had to get out of bed some mornings

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had to get out of bed some mornings

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had to get out of bed some mornings
despite loving the program and the other

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despite loving the program and the other

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despite loving the program and the other
students Tyler had moments of self-doubt

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students Tyler had moments of self-doubt

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students Tyler had moments of self-doubt
in his worst moments he even had

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in his worst moments he even had

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in his worst moments he even had
thoughts of ending his life in in this

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thoughts of ending his life in in this

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thoughts of ending his life in in this
book it’s it’s sometimes a little

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book it’s it’s sometimes a little

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book it’s it’s sometimes a little
confusing CU they or it could be

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confusing CU they or it could be

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confusing CU they or it could be
confusing because they switch between

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confusing because they switch between

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confusing because they switch between
authors there’s two authors

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authors there’s two authors

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authors there’s two authors
uh there’s will Hutcherson I believe is

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uh there’s will Hutcherson I believe is

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uh there’s will Hutcherson I believe is
the name and chinaway Williams and so

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the name and chinaway Williams and so

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the name and chinaway Williams and so
they usually designate who’s speaking in

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they usually designate who’s speaking in

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they usually designate who’s speaking in
this chapter it looks like for the most

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this chapter it looks like for the most

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this chapter it looks like for the most
part will is speaking he’s talking about

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part will is speaking he’s talking about

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part will is speaking he’s talking about
how this student will has seemingly

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how this student will has seemingly

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how this student will has seemingly
looks like he has everything together on

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looks like he has everything together on

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looks like he has everything together on
the outside he has lots of stuff going

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the outside he has lots of stuff going

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the outside he has lots of stuff going
for him in his life uh but yet he still

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for him in his life uh but yet he still

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for him in his life uh but yet he still
shares or this the student Tyler shares

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shares or this the student Tyler shares

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shares or this the student Tyler shares
with him

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with him

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with him
that he has even had thoughts of ending

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that he has even had thoughts of ending

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that he has even had thoughts of ending
his life and so he’s asking the question

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his life and so he’s asking the question

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his life and so he’s asking the question
how does a kid who seemingly has it all

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how does a kid who seemingly has it all

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how does a kid who seemingly has it all
together get so down and he says uh he

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together get so down and he says uh he

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together get so down and he says uh he
has so much going for him right uh he

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has so much going for him right uh he

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has so much going for him right uh he
comes from a good family check he wasn’t

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comes from a good family check he wasn’t

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comes from a good family check he wasn’t
bullied as a kid check uh he didn’t have

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bullied as a kid check uh he didn’t have

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bullied as a kid check uh he didn’t have
any significant Trauma from abuse check

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any significant Trauma from abuse check

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any significant Trauma from abuse check
so what was happening is what he asks

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so what was happening is what he asks

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so what was happening is what he asks
and you know this seeing this student

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and you know this seeing this student

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and you know this seeing this student
that he really enjoyed spending time

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that he really enjoyed spending time

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that he really enjoyed spending time
with so much struggle so much even

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with so much struggle so much even

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with so much struggle so much even
though he had so much going for him

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though he had so much going for him

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though he had so much going for him
really caused will to start questioning

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really caused will to start questioning

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really caused will to start questioning
and

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and

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and
investigating so will was seeing similar

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investigating so will was seeing similar

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investigating so will was seeing similar
things in many of his students students

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things in many of his students students

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things in many of his students students
seem to be increasingly disengaged or

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seem to be increasingly disengaged or

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seem to be increasingly disengaged or
detached in recent years parents and

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detached in recent years parents and

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detached in recent years parents and
students approached well with concerns

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students approached well with concerns

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students approached well with concerns
they had for others

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they had for others

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they had for others
they would say things like they just

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they would say things like they just

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they would say things like they just
describing other people they would say

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describing other people they would say

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describing other people they would say
things like they just don’t seem like

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things like they just don’t seem like

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things like they just don’t seem like
themselves anymore they’re always down

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themselves anymore they’re always down

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themselves anymore they’re always down
she is saying some things that are

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she is saying some things that are

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she is saying some things that are
really concerning me so you know all

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really concerning me so you know all

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really concerning me so you know all
these people students parents coming to

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these people students parents coming to

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these people students parents coming to
him expressing concern for other people

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him expressing concern for other people

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him expressing concern for other people
that they see in their lives that are

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that they see in their lives that are

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that they see in their lives that are
struggling with despair he goes on he

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struggling with despair he goes on he

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struggling with despair he goes on he
says more and more students were feeling

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says more and more students were feeling

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says more and more students were feeling
paralyzed and anxious

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paralyzed and anxious

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paralyzed and anxious
when facing resistance or obstacles in

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when facing resistance or obstacles in

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when facing resistance or obstacles in
life students were losing their

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life students were losing their

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life students were losing their
resilience and their

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resilience and their

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resilience and their
motivation many of Will’s students were

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motivation many of Will’s students were

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motivation many of Will’s students were
self- diagnosing as being depressed or

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self- diagnosing as being depressed or

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self- diagnosing as being depressed or
very depressed while others were

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very depressed while others were

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very depressed while others were
describing panic attacks or

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describing panic attacks or

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describing panic attacks or
anxiety even worse others were

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anxiety even worse others were

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anxiety even worse others were
describing their past attempts at

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describing their past attempts at

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describing their past attempts at
suicide While others detailed their

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suicide While others detailed their

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suicide While others detailed their
future plans as will did more

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future plans as will did more

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future plans as will did more
investigation he found that this was

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investigation he found that this was

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investigation he found that this was
happening Nationwide in this part of the

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happening Nationwide in this part of the

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happening Nationwide in this part of the
chap or this chapter he’s they’re kind

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chap or this chapter he’s they’re kind

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chap or this chapter he’s they’re kind
of setting up the whole book so they’re

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of setting up the whole book so they’re

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of setting up the whole book so they’re
giving a lot of background information

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giving a lot of background information

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giving a lot of background information
they’re setting the scene for why this

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they’re setting the scene for why this

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they’re setting the scene for why this
is so important and so the next part

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is so important and so the next part

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is so important and so the next part
they go into some statistics to try to

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they go into some statistics to try to

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they go into some statistics to try to
help give a better picture of what’s

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help give a better picture of what’s

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help give a better picture of what’s
going on and they say since 2007 suicide

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going on and they say since 2007 suicide

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going on and they say since 2007 suicide
rates have increased by 70

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rates have increased by 70

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rates have increased by 70
6% for ages 15 to

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6% for ages 15 to

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6% for ages 15 to
19 uh suicides rates nearly doubled in

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19 uh suicides rates nearly doubled in

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19 uh suicides rates nearly doubled in
teenage girls or in teen girls the

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teenage girls or in teen girls the

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teenage girls or in teen girls the
highest rate of increase in suicide

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highest rate of increase in suicide

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highest rate of increase in suicide
among all age groups is in kids between

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among all age groups is in kids between

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among all age groups is in kids between
10 and 14 years

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10 and 14 years

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10 and 14 years
old all right so it goes on with some

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old all right so it goes on with some

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old all right so it goes on with some
more statistics he says depressive

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more statistics he says depressive

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more statistics he says depressive
symptoms are up 21% in boys and up 50%

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symptoms are up 21% in boys and up 50%

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symptoms are up 21% in boys and up 50%
in

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in

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in
girls suicide attempts among black teens

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girls suicide attempts among black teens

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girls suicide attempts among black teens
increase by

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increase by

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increase by
73% between 1991 and

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73% between 1991 and

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73% between 1991 and
2017 and there is an elevated risk of

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2017 and there is an elevated risk of

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2017 and there is an elevated risk of
suicide among African-American boys age

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suicide among African-American boys age

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suicide among African-American boys age
5 to 11 in early 2020 an estimated 1 out

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5 to 11 in early 2020 an estimated 1 out

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5 to 11 in early 2020 an estimated 1 out
of four young adults contemplated

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of four young adults contemplated

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of four young adults contemplated
suicide in March of 2020 the disaster

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suicide in March of 2020 the disaster

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suicide in March of 2020 the disaster
distress he line saw an increase of

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distress he line saw an increase of

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distress he line saw an increase of
891 in call

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891 in call

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891 in call
volume so he’s the book is laying the

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volume so he’s the book is laying the

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volume so he’s the book is laying the
foundation all these statistics about

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foundation all these statistics about

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foundation all these statistics about
changes in brain health and mental

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changes in brain health and mental

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changes in brain health and mental
health that they’re seeing that kids are

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health that they’re seeing that kids are

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health that they’re seeing that kids are
just having a really tough time with

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just having a really tough time with

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just having a really tough time with
Despair and so you know some of these

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Despair and so you know some of these

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Despair and so you know some of these
are very hard to wrap your mind around

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are very hard to wrap your mind around

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are very hard to wrap your mind around
just that last one of the disaster

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just that last one of the disaster

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just that last one of the disaster
distress helpline increasing their call

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distress helpline increasing their call

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distress helpline increasing their call
volume by

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volume by

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volume by
891 just blows my mind uh and so you it

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891 just blows my mind uh and so you it

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891 just blows my mind uh and so you it
just Paints the picture of how serious

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just Paints the picture of how serious

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just Paints the picture of how serious
this really

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this really

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this really
is uh

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is uh

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is uh
for uh our society and for Youth and the

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for uh our society and for Youth and the

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for uh our society and for Youth and the
next section he is titled a time when I

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next section he is titled a time when I

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next section he is titled a time when I
blew it uh will returns to the story

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blew it uh will returns to the story

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blew it uh will returns to the story
about Tyler here and he says that he

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about Tyler here and he says that he

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about Tyler here and he says that he
believed in Tyler so much he thought

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believed in Tyler so much he thought

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believed in Tyler so much he thought
maybe he just needed a push so will

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maybe he just needed a push so will

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maybe he just needed a push so will
worked with another program leader to

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worked with another program leader to

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worked with another program leader to
come up with a plan maybe thinking that

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come up with a plan maybe thinking that

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come up with a plan maybe thinking that
he just needed some extra encouragement

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he just needed some extra encouragement

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he just needed some extra encouragement
maybe he just needed to see his own

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maybe he just needed to see his own

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maybe he just needed to see his own
potential uh he came up with this plan

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potential uh he came up with this plan

0:06:52.599,0:06:54.870
potential uh he came up with this plan
he says together they executed the plan

0:06:54.870,0:06:54.880
he says together they executed the plan

0:06:54.880,0:06:57.550
he says together they executed the plan
believing they would have a new student

0:06:57.550,0:06:57.560
believing they would have a new student

0:06:57.560,0:07:00.390
believing they would have a new student
in 90 days

0:07:00.390,0:07:00.400
in 90 days

0:07:00.400,0:07:02.029
in 90 days
so he’s telling the story here he says

0:07:02.029,0:07:02.039
so he’s telling the story here he says

0:07:02.039,0:07:04.830
so he’s telling the story here he says
during a church Retreat Tyler

0:07:04.830,0:07:04.840
during a church Retreat Tyler

0:07:04.840,0:07:07.670
during a church Retreat Tyler
experienced a setback then Tyler being

0:07:07.670,0:07:07.680
experienced a setback then Tyler being

0:07:07.680,0:07:09.990
experienced a setback then Tyler being
the student he says the combination of

0:07:09.990,0:07:10.000
the student he says the combination of

0:07:10.000,0:07:12.589
the student he says the combination of
being away from family and in a

0:07:12.589,0:07:12.599
being away from family and in a

0:07:12.599,0:07:15.110
being away from family and in a
spiritually charged environment caused

0:07:15.110,0:07:15.120
spiritually charged environment caused

0:07:15.120,0:07:16.830
spiritually charged environment caused
his anxiety to

0:07:16.830,0:07:16.840
his anxiety to

0:07:16.840,0:07:20.150
his anxiety to
increase when Tyler tried to share his

0:07:20.150,0:07:20.160
increase when Tyler tried to share his

0:07:20.160,0:07:22.589
increase when Tyler tried to share his
feelings with a leader they were

0:07:22.589,0:07:22.599
feelings with a leader they were

0:07:22.599,0:07:26.150
feelings with a leader they were
dismissed instead of acknowledging his

0:07:26.150,0:07:26.160
dismissed instead of acknowledging his

0:07:26.160,0:07:29.510
dismissed instead of acknowledging his
feelings he was met with statements like

0:07:29.510,0:07:29.520
feelings he was met with statements like

0:07:29.520,0:07:31.589
feelings he was met with statements like
just trust God and keep

0:07:31.589,0:07:31.599
just trust God and keep

0:07:31.599,0:07:34.550
just trust God and keep
praying on the second night feeling

0:07:34.550,0:07:34.560
praying on the second night feeling

0:07:34.560,0:07:37.670
praying on the second night feeling
uncomfortable and alone Tyler called his

0:07:37.670,0:07:37.680
uncomfortable and alone Tyler called his

0:07:37.680,0:07:40.390
uncomfortable and alone Tyler called his
parents they drove two hours to pick him

0:07:40.390,0:07:40.400
parents they drove two hours to pick him

0:07:40.400,0:07:43.189
parents they drove two hours to pick him
up without telling any of the staff

0:07:43.189,0:07:43.199
up without telling any of the staff

0:07:43.199,0:07:45.749
up without telling any of the staff
shocked the leaders said well we are

0:07:45.749,0:07:45.759
shocked the leaders said well we are

0:07:45.759,0:07:49.710
shocked the leaders said well we are
going to have a hard talk about this and

0:07:49.710,0:07:49.720
going to have a hard talk about this and

0:07:49.720,0:07:52.990
going to have a hard talk about this and
these or it says the hard talks they

0:07:52.990,0:07:53.000
these or it says the hard talks they

0:07:53.000,0:07:56.270
these or it says the hard talks they
insisted on backfired Tyler became

0:07:56.270,0:07:56.280
insisted on backfired Tyler became

0:07:56.280,0:08:00.070
insisted on backfired Tyler became
resistant disrespectful and seemed angry

0:08:00.070,0:08:00.080
resistant disrespectful and seemed angry

0:08:00.080,0:08:02.710
resistant disrespectful and seemed angry
a few months into their plan Tyler

0:08:02.710,0:08:02.720
a few months into their plan Tyler

0:08:02.720,0:08:04.990
a few months into their plan Tyler
blindsided them by telling them he

0:08:04.990,0:08:05.000
blindsided them by telling them he

0:08:05.000,0:08:06.869
blindsided them by telling them he
wouldn’t be attending the upcoming

0:08:06.869,0:08:06.879
wouldn’t be attending the upcoming

0:08:06.879,0:08:10.029
wouldn’t be attending the upcoming
Retreat or will was furious with Tyler

0:08:10.029,0:08:10.039
Retreat or will was furious with Tyler

0:08:10.039,0:08:12.469
Retreat or will was furious with Tyler
and he called him into his office and

0:08:12.469,0:08:12.479
and he called him into his office and

0:08:12.479,0:08:15.950
and he called him into his office and
when Tyler tried to tell Will how he was

0:08:15.950,0:08:15.960
when Tyler tried to tell Will how he was

0:08:15.960,0:08:19.589
when Tyler tried to tell Will how he was
feeling his feelings weren’t heard will

0:08:19.589,0:08:19.599
feeling his feelings weren’t heard will

0:08:19.599,0:08:22.749
feeling his feelings weren’t heard will
was too busy caught up in what he was

0:08:22.749,0:08:22.759
was too busy caught up in what he was

0:08:22.759,0:08:25.029
was too busy caught up in what he was
going to will was too caught up in what

0:08:25.029,0:08:25.039
going to will was too caught up in what

0:08:25.039,0:08:27.950
going to will was too caught up in what
he was going to say will lectured Tyler

0:08:27.950,0:08:27.960
he was going to say will lectured Tyler

0:08:27.960,0:08:30.270
he was going to say will lectured Tyler
on the commitment he had made to the

0:08:30.270,0:08:30.280
on the commitment he had made to the

0:08:30.280,0:08:33.190
on the commitment he had made to the
program again Tyler tried to tell Will

0:08:33.190,0:08:33.200
program again Tyler tried to tell Will

0:08:33.200,0:08:36.190
program again Tyler tried to tell Will
his feelings will told Tyler I

0:08:36.190,0:08:36.200
his feelings will told Tyler I

0:08:36.200,0:08:38.509
his feelings will told Tyler I
understand that you feel that way but it

0:08:38.509,0:08:38.519
understand that you feel that way but it

0:08:38.519,0:08:41.509
understand that you feel that way but it
doesn’t matter you need to get over how

0:08:41.509,0:08:41.519
doesn’t matter you need to get over how

0:08:41.519,0:08:44.149
doesn’t matter you need to get over how
you’re feeling and come with us the next

0:08:44.149,0:08:44.159
you’re feeling and come with us the next

0:08:44.159,0:08:47.509
you’re feeling and come with us the next
day Tyler quit the program and so just

0:08:47.509,0:08:47.519
day Tyler quit the program and so just

0:08:47.519,0:08:51.910
day Tyler quit the program and so just
in complete shock about Tyler’s response

0:08:51.910,0:08:51.920
in complete shock about Tyler’s response

0:08:51.920,0:08:54.790
in complete shock about Tyler’s response
will explains that he wasn’t able to

0:08:54.790,0:08:54.800
will explains that he wasn’t able to

0:08:54.800,0:08:57.590
will explains that he wasn’t able to
help Tyler because he was using what he

0:08:57.590,0:08:57.600
help Tyler because he was using what he

0:08:57.600,0:09:00.030
help Tyler because he was using what he
calls old tools

0:09:00.030,0:09:00.040
calls old tools

0:09:00.040,0:09:01.790
calls old tools
and these are methods that might still

0:09:01.790,0:09:01.800
and these are methods that might still

0:09:01.800,0:09:04.430
and these are methods that might still
work with some but they wouldn’t work

0:09:04.430,0:09:04.440
work with some but they wouldn’t work

0:09:04.440,0:09:07.750
work with some but they wouldn’t work
for most kids all right so he goes on

0:09:07.750,0:09:07.760
for most kids all right so he goes on

0:09:07.760,0:09:10.470
for most kids all right so he goes on
and he’s he’s talking about he titles a

0:09:10.470,0:09:10.480
and he’s he’s talking about he titles a

0:09:10.480,0:09:13.069
and he’s he’s talking about he titles a
section the good news and he says our

0:09:13.069,0:09:13.079
section the good news and he says our

0:09:13.079,0:09:15.150
section the good news and he says our
greatest weapon against Despair and

0:09:15.150,0:09:15.160
greatest weapon against Despair and

0:09:15.160,0:09:18.430
greatest weapon against Despair and
suicide is you parents small group

0:09:18.430,0:09:18.440
suicide is you parents small group

0:09:18.440,0:09:21.710
suicide is you parents small group
leaders youth pastors caring

0:09:21.710,0:09:21.720
leaders youth pastors caring

0:09:21.720,0:09:25.190
leaders youth pastors caring
adults and he continues there are tools

0:09:25.190,0:09:25.200
adults and he continues there are tools

0:09:25.200,0:09:28.310
adults and he continues there are tools
that can help kids and teenagers heal

0:09:28.310,0:09:28.320
that can help kids and teenagers heal

0:09:28.320,0:09:30.750
that can help kids and teenagers heal
our brains are designed to respond in

0:09:30.750,0:09:30.760
our brains are designed to respond in

0:09:30.760,0:09:34.110
our brains are designed to respond in
predictable ways when we connect with

0:09:34.110,0:09:34.120
predictable ways when we connect with

0:09:34.120,0:09:37.230
predictable ways when we connect with
others on a deep level and when we feel

0:09:37.230,0:09:37.240
others on a deep level and when we feel

0:09:37.240,0:09:40.470
others on a deep level and when we feel
seen in fact research shows that we

0:09:40.470,0:09:40.480
seen in fact research shows that we

0:09:40.480,0:09:43.630
seen in fact research shows that we
aren’t powerless at all for instance

0:09:43.630,0:09:43.640
aren’t powerless at all for instance

0:09:43.640,0:09:45.670
aren’t powerless at all for instance
research on the Neuroscience of

0:09:45.670,0:09:45.680
research on the Neuroscience of

0:09:45.680,0:09:47.710
research on the Neuroscience of
attachment shows us that the brain can

0:09:47.710,0:09:47.720
attachment shows us that the brain can

0:09:47.720,0:09:50.509
attachment shows us that the brain can
learn a new attachment pattern because

0:09:50.509,0:09:50.519
learn a new attachment pattern because

0:09:50.519,0:09:52.590
learn a new attachment pattern because
of the process of

0:09:52.590,0:09:52.600
of the process of

0:09:52.600,0:09:54.670
of the process of
neuroplasticity the brain has the

0:09:54.670,0:09:54.680
neuroplasticity the brain has the

0:09:54.680,0:09:58.110
neuroplasticity the brain has the
ability to rewire and reorganize

0:09:58.110,0:09:58.120
ability to rewire and reorganize

0:09:58.120,0:10:01.430
ability to rewire and reorganize
itself will goes on to say another

0:10:01.430,0:10:01.440
itself will goes on to say another

0:10:01.440,0:10:03.949
itself will goes on to say another
helpful Discovery is that a secure

0:10:03.949,0:10:03.959
helpful Discovery is that a secure

0:10:03.959,0:10:06.790
helpful Discovery is that a secure
attachment with an adult can not only

0:10:06.790,0:10:06.800
attachment with an adult can not only

0:10:06.800,0:10:09.389
attachment with an adult can not only
help heal and rewire the brain from a

0:10:09.389,0:10:09.399
help heal and rewire the brain from a

0:10:09.399,0:10:12.430
help heal and rewire the brain from a
past insecure attachment but it can also

0:10:12.430,0:10:12.440
past insecure attachment but it can also

0:10:12.440,0:10:15.829
past insecure attachment but it can also
help decrease the risk for despair and

0:10:15.829,0:10:15.839
help decrease the risk for despair and

0:10:15.839,0:10:18.190
help decrease the risk for despair and
Suicidal Thoughts in

0:10:18.190,0:10:18.200
Suicidal Thoughts in

0:10:18.200,0:10:22.750
Suicidal Thoughts in
adolescence so this idea that the brain

0:10:22.750,0:10:22.760
adolescence so this idea that the brain

0:10:22.760,0:10:24.030
adolescence so this idea that the brain
can heal

0:10:24.030,0:10:24.040
can heal

0:10:24.040,0:10:27.269
can heal
itself um it it’s not just automatic but

0:10:27.269,0:10:27.279
itself um it it’s not just automatic but

0:10:27.279,0:10:29.750
itself um it it’s not just automatic but
there is the possibility that you know

0:10:29.750,0:10:29.760
there is the possibility that you know

0:10:29.760,0:10:32.389
there is the possibility that you know
your brain can be changed uh this idea

0:10:32.389,0:10:32.399
your brain can be changed uh this idea

0:10:32.399,0:10:33.430
your brain can be changed uh this idea
of

0:10:33.430,0:10:33.440
of

0:10:33.440,0:10:35.110
of
neuroplasticity so whether you’re a

0:10:35.110,0:10:35.120
neuroplasticity so whether you’re a

0:10:35.120,0:10:37.590
neuroplasticity so whether you’re a
parent of a preschooler Elementary Age

0:10:37.590,0:10:37.600
parent of a preschooler Elementary Age

0:10:37.600,0:10:40.829
parent of a preschooler Elementary Age
kid teenager or young adult you can

0:10:40.829,0:10:40.839
kid teenager or young adult you can

0:10:40.839,0:10:44.069
kid teenager or young adult you can
begin habits now that will nurture

0:10:44.069,0:10:44.079
begin habits now that will nurture

0:10:44.079,0:10:46.069
begin habits now that will nurture
emotionally healthy development and

0:10:46.069,0:10:46.079
emotionally healthy development and

0:10:46.079,0:10:48.990
emotionally healthy development and
create resilience against despair when

0:10:48.990,0:10:49.000
create resilience against despair when

0:10:49.000,0:10:49.870
create resilience against despair when
they’re

0:10:49.870,0:10:49.880
they’re

0:10:49.880,0:10:52.470
they’re
older there are practical things that

0:10:52.470,0:10:52.480
older there are practical things that

0:10:52.480,0:10:54.790
older there are practical things that
you can do right now to intervene and

0:10:54.790,0:10:54.800
you can do right now to intervene and

0:10:54.800,0:10:56.990
you can do right now to intervene and
begin the process of healing these are

0:10:56.990,0:10:57.000
begin the process of healing these are

0:10:57.000,0:10:58.310
begin the process of healing these are
tools that will help you make

0:10:58.310,0:10:58.320
tools that will help you make

0:10:58.320,0:11:00.389
tools that will help you make
significant connections that lead to

0:11:00.389,0:11:00.399
significant connections that lead to

0:11:00.399,0:11:04.110
significant connections that lead to
change tools I wish I had with Tyler he

0:11:04.110,0:11:04.120
change tools I wish I had with Tyler he

0:11:04.120,0:11:07.470
change tools I wish I had with Tyler he
said I did many things wrong in my plan

0:11:07.470,0:11:07.480
said I did many things wrong in my plan

0:11:07.480,0:11:11.509
said I did many things wrong in my plan
to help Tyler but the greatest was my

0:11:11.509,0:11:11.519
to help Tyler but the greatest was my

0:11:11.519,0:11:14.389
to help Tyler but the greatest was my
inability to see him and what he was

0:11:14.389,0:11:14.399
inability to see him and what he was

0:11:14.399,0:11:18.710
inability to see him and what he was
feeling he didn’t feel seen ironically

0:11:18.710,0:11:18.720
feeling he didn’t feel seen ironically

0:11:18.720,0:11:21.350
feeling he didn’t feel seen ironically
if I had just connected and resisted the

0:11:21.350,0:11:21.360
if I had just connected and resisted the

0:11:21.360,0:11:25.949
if I had just connected and resisted the
urge to fix or to fix him I could have

0:11:25.949,0:11:25.959
urge to fix or to fix him I could have

0:11:25.959,0:11:29.030
urge to fix or to fix him I could have
played a part in helping him to heal and

0:11:29.030,0:11:29.040
played a part in helping him to heal and

0:11:29.040,0:11:31.350
played a part in helping him to heal and
instead I unknowingly played a part in

0:11:31.350,0:11:31.360
instead I unknowingly played a part in

0:11:31.360,0:11:33.949
instead I unknowingly played a part in
keeping him right where he was and will

0:11:33.949,0:11:33.959
keeping him right where he was and will

0:11:33.959,0:11:36.069
keeping him right where he was and will
goes on to say I’m happy to report that

0:11:36.069,0:11:36.079
goes on to say I’m happy to report that

0:11:36.079,0:11:39.350
goes on to say I’m happy to report that
Tyler is doing great today he went to

0:11:39.350,0:11:39.360
Tyler is doing great today he went to

0:11:39.360,0:11:41.550
Tyler is doing great today he went to
counseling and is managing his

0:11:41.550,0:11:41.560
counseling and is managing his

0:11:41.560,0:11:44.350
counseling and is managing his
depression he describes the true key

0:11:44.350,0:11:44.360
depression he describes the true key

0:11:44.360,0:11:46.870
depression he describes the true key
does Tyler success was his parents they

0:11:46.870,0:11:46.880
does Tyler success was his parents they

0:11:46.880,0:11:49.550
does Tyler success was his parents they
were deeply engaged they prayed for him

0:11:49.550,0:11:49.560
were deeply engaged they prayed for him

0:11:49.560,0:11:52.629
were deeply engaged they prayed for him
every day and they instinctly used many

0:11:52.629,0:11:52.639
every day and they instinctly used many

0:11:52.639,0:11:55.269
every day and they instinctly used many
of the tools we will share in this

0:11:55.269,0:11:55.279
of the tools we will share in this

0:11:55.279,0:11:58.710
of the tools we will share in this
book these strategies are ground tested

0:11:58.710,0:11:58.720
book these strategies are ground tested

0:11:58.720,0:12:01.629
book these strategies are ground tested
and and we believe they will Empower you

0:12:01.629,0:12:01.639
and and we believe they will Empower you

0:12:01.639,0:12:04.470
and and we believe they will Empower you
to be part of the solution to the rising

0:12:04.470,0:12:04.480
to be part of the solution to the rising

0:12:04.480,0:12:07.389
to be part of the solution to the rising
despair we are seeing in kids and

0:12:07.389,0:12:07.399
despair we are seeing in kids and

0:12:07.399,0:12:09.829
despair we are seeing in kids and
teenagers they will help you connect

0:12:09.829,0:12:09.839
teenagers they will help you connect

0:12:09.839,0:12:12.670
teenagers they will help you connect
with give hope to and lead the Next

0:12:12.670,0:12:12.680
with give hope to and lead the Next

0:12:12.680,0:12:15.430
with give hope to and lead the Next
Generation towards healing all right so

0:12:15.430,0:12:15.440
Generation towards healing all right so

0:12:15.440,0:12:19.189
Generation towards healing all right so
again he’s painting this picture of the

0:12:19.189,0:12:19.199
again he’s painting this picture of the

0:12:19.199,0:12:23.069
again he’s painting this picture of the
importance of kids feeling seen and

0:12:23.069,0:12:23.079
importance of kids feeling seen and

0:12:23.079,0:12:27.069
importance of kids feeling seen and
heard it creat some discussion questions

0:12:27.069,0:12:27.079
heard it creat some discussion questions

0:12:27.079,0:12:30.470
heard it creat some discussion questions
for this section or chapter of the book

0:12:30.470,0:12:30.480
for this section or chapter of the book

0:12:30.480,0:12:33.189
for this section or chapter of the book
how does it feel to know that when we

0:12:33.189,0:12:33.199
how does it feel to know that when we

0:12:33.199,0:12:36.269
how does it feel to know that when we
feel seen our brains are wired to

0:12:36.269,0:12:36.279
feel seen our brains are wired to

0:12:36.279,0:12:38.829
feel seen our brains are wired to
respond in predictable ways that’s

0:12:38.829,0:12:38.839
respond in predictable ways that’s

0:12:38.839,0:12:41.829
respond in predictable ways that’s
number one number two is we learn that

0:12:41.829,0:12:41.839
number one number two is we learn that

0:12:41.839,0:12:44.230
number one number two is we learn that
the brain has the ability to rewire and

0:12:44.230,0:12:44.240
the brain has the ability to rewire and

0:12:44.240,0:12:47.350
the brain has the ability to rewire and
reorganize itself how does this impact

0:12:47.350,0:12:47.360
reorganize itself how does this impact

0:12:47.360,0:12:49.670
reorganize itself how does this impact
how you see anxiety depression or

0:12:49.670,0:12:49.680
how you see anxiety depression or

0:12:49.680,0:12:52.470
how you see anxiety depression or
despair that’s all for this episode

0:12:52.470,0:12:52.480
despair that’s all for this episode

0:12:52.480,0:12:53.949
despair that’s all for this episode
thank you for watching if you like the

0:12:53.949,0:12:53.959
thank you for watching if you like the

0:12:53.959,0:12:56.069
thank you for watching if you like the
video give us a thumbs up and be sure to

0:12:56.069,0:12:56.079
video give us a thumbs up and be sure to

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Show Notes

Old Tools

 

Introduction

Will opens with a story about one of his top students, Tyler.

Tyler was a seventeen-year-old student who he described as funny, respectful, and smart. It appeared as if Tyler had it all together. On the inside, Tyler was struggling with despair.

“He shared with me the struggle he had to get out of bed some mornings. Despite loving the program and the other students, Tyler had moments of self-doubt. In his worst moments, he even had thoughts of ending his life.”

“How does a kid who seemingly has it all together get so down? mean, he has so much going for him, right?

He comes from a good family. Check.

He wasn’t bullied as a kid. Check.

He didn’t have any significant trauma from abuse. Check.

So, what was happening?”

Will was seeing similar things in many of his students. Students seemed to be increasingly disengaged or detached in recent years.

Parents and students approached Will with concerns they had for others.

    • “They just don’t seem like themselves anymore.”

    • “They’re always down!”

    • “She is saying some things that are really concerning me.”

“…more and more students were feeling paralyzed and anxious when facing resistance or obstacles in life. Students were losing their resilience and their motivation.”

Many of Will’s students were self-diagnosing as being depressed, while others were describing panic attacks or anxiety.

Even worse, others were describing their past attempts at suicide while others detailed their future plans.

As Will did more investigation, he found that this was happening nationwide.

Statistics

Since 2007 …

• Suicide rates have increased by 76 percent for ages 15 to 19.

• Suicide rates have nearly doubled in teen girls.

• The highest rate of increase in suicide among all age groups is in kids between 10 and 14 years old.

• Depressive symptoms are up 21 percent in boys, and up 50 percent in girls.

• Suicide attempts among black teens increased by 73 percent between 1991 and 2017, and there is an elevated risk of suicide among African-American boys ages 5 to 11.

• In early 2020, an estimated 1 out of 4 young adults contemplated suicide.

• In March 2020, the Disaster Distress Helpline saw an increase of 891 percent in call volume.

A Time When I Blew It

Will returns to the story about Tyler. He says that he believed in Tyler so much he thought maybe he just needed a push. So, Will worked with another program leader to come up with a plan. Together, they executed the plan, believing they would have a new student in 90 days.

During a church retreat, Tyler experienced a setback. The combination of being away from family and in a spiritually charged environment caused his anxiety to increase.

When Tyler tried to share his feelings with a leader, they were dismissed. Instead of acknowledging his feelings, he was meant with statements like just trust God and keep praying.

On the second night, feeling uncomfortable and alone, Tyler called his parents. They drove two hours to pick him up without telling any of the staff.

Shocked, the leaders said, “Well, we are going to have a hard talk about this!”

The “hard talks” they insisted on backfired. Tyler became resistant, disrespectful, and seemed angry.

A few months into their plan, Tyler blindsided them by telling them he wouldn’t be attending the upcoming retreat.

Will was furious with Tyler. He called him into his office.

When Tyler tried to tell Will how he was feeling, his feelings weren’t heard. Will was too busy caught up in what he was going to say.

Will lectured Tyler on the commitment he had made to the program. Again, Tyler tried to tell Will his feelings.

Will told Tyler, “I understand you feel that way, but it doesn’t matter. You need to get over how you’re feeling and come with us.”

The next day, Tyler QUIT the program.

Will explains that he wasn’t able to help Tyler because he was using “Old Tools.”

These methods might still work with some, but they wouldn’t work for most kids.

The Good News

Our greatest weapon against despair and suicide is you:

Parents.

Small group leaders.

Youth pastors.

Caring adults.”

“…there are tools that can help kids and teenagers heal.”

“Our brains are designed to respond in predictable ways when we connect with others on a deep level and when we “feel seen.” In fact, research shows that we aren’t powerless at all. For instance, research on the neuroscience of attachment shows us that the brain can learn a new attachment pattern because of the process of neuroplasticity. The brain has the ability to rewire and reorganize itself.”

“Another helpful discovery is that a secure attachment with an adult can not only help heal and rewire the brain from a past insecure attachment, but it can also help decrease the risk for despair and suicidal thoughts in adolescents.”

“Whether you are a parent of a preschooler, elementary-aged kid, teenager, or young adult, you can begin habits now that will nurture emotionally healthy development and create resilience against despair when they are older.”

“…there are practical things you can do right now to intervene and begin the process of healing. These are tools that will help you make significant connections that lead to change-tools I wish I had with Tyler.”

“I did many things wrong in my plan to help Tyler, but the greatest was my inability to see him and what he was feeling. He didn’t feel seen.”

“Ironically, if I had just connected and resisted the urge to “fix” him, I could have played a part in helping him to heal. Instead, I unknowingly played a part in keeping him right where he was.”

“I’m happy to report that Tyler is doing great today. He went to counseling and is managing his depression…”

“The true key to Tyler’s success was his parents. They were deeply engaged. They prayed for him every day, and they instinctively used many of the tools we will share in this book.”

“These strategies are ground-tested and we believe they will empower you to be a part of the solution to the rising despair we are seeing in kids and teenagers. They will help you connect with, give hope to, and lead the next generation towards healing.”

Discussion

    1. How does it feel to know that when we “feel seen,” our brains are wired to respond in predictable ways?

    1. We learned that the brain has the ability to rewire and reorganize itself. How does this impact how you see anxiety, depression, or despair?

Sources

[1] Hutcherson, W., & Williams, C. (2021). Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection.

Last updated on: 01/22/2024

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