How to Change and Save Lives: Three Techniques Everyone Can Use | Jared Fenton, MBA ’24

TL;DR

Promoting protective factors such as non-judgment, unconditional belief, and dependability can make a life-changing difference in someone's mental wellness.

Transcript

[MUSIC] Late one night, during our first year of college, my friend told me he was going to kill himself. I did what I could do to keep him safe, and today he's alive and he's well. Tragically however, in the first 13 months of my undergraduate experience, six other students at my school did die by suicide. I came to understand that the issue of hi... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Higher-ed student mental wellness is an urgent issue, with serious thoughts of suicide and loneliness affecting a significant number of individuals.
• 😣 Chronic loneliness has severe negative impacts on both physical and mental health.
• 😀 Lack of protective factors, such as non-judgment, unconditional belief, and dependability, contributes to the struggles individuals face.
• 🛟 Making individuals feel the true meaning behind supportive words can help change and save lives.
• 🧑‍🏭 Crisis intervention is essential, but promoting protective factors can make a difference in improving mental wellness.
• 😨 Engaging in self-care is crucial for everyone, as it allows individuals to better support others.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some alarming statistics about US adults' mental wellness?

According to the CDC, one in four 18 to 24 year olds have expressed serious thoughts of suicide since March 2020. Additionally, nearly 40% of US adults experienced serious loneliness in the previous year.

Q: Why is chronic loneliness a significant concern?

The US Department of Health and Human Services has found that chronic loneliness is as harmful to one's physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It also has detrimental effects on one's mental well-being.

Q: What are protective factors, and how do they contribute to mental wellness?

Protective factors include non-judgment, unconditional belief, and dependability. Research shows that promoting these factors can make a crucial difference in someone's mental wellness, regardless of whether they are suicidal or not.

Q: How can individuals effectively promote protective factors?

The key lies in making individuals feel the meaning behind the words "I don't judge you, I believe in you, I'm there for you." It requires empathy, active listening, and genuine support for someone's true self.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The issue of higher-ed student mental wellness is urgent, with a high percentage experiencing serious thoughts of suicide and loneliness.

• Chronic loneliness has severe negative impacts on physical and mental health.

• Lack of protective factors, such as non-judgment, unconditional belief, and dependability, contribute to the struggles faced by individuals.