March 2, 2023
Dear Challenge Success Community,
As we were reflecting on the first two months of 2023, we felt moved to share some of our thoughts with you - our schools, supporters, and families. Our hearts have been heavy with the continued incidents of violence and discrimination against Black, AAPI, and LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. These events are traumatizing and undoubtedly impact the well-being and sense of belonging for young people and adults alike, especially for historically marginalized communities. We know that far too many students are struggling and recent events are only compounding the impacts of the pandemic on their well-being.
Despite these challenges, we remain optimistic about our youth’s future, for often from times of significant disruption, new opportunities emerge to imagine what is possible. We have the potential to play a major role in youth mental health by making our schools and families safe, affirming environments. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated, “I believe that coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an unprecedented opportunity as a country to rebuild in a way that refocuses our identity and common values, puts people first, and strengthens our connections to each other.”
In our work, we hold the foundational belief that safe spaces where students are invited to share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions are fundamental to their well-being. When adults open dialogue and are willing to wrestle with hard questions with authenticity and honesty, students learn that we care about their experience and value their perspective. If you are searching for ways to start these conversations with young people in your life and create spaces where they feel at ease, we find these guiding principles to be helpful:
Give the conversation your full attention (no phones), and take the pressure off by positioning yourself at their side rather than face to face (car rides, walks, cooking, and bike rides work well).
Listen more than you talk. Ask open-ended questions. Pause and make space for them to respond.
Enter the conversation with humility. Accept that you may not have all the answers. If you aren’t sure what to say, be honest and offer to get back to them once you think about it or do some research.
When kids don’t feel like talking, offer your presence through sharing a meal or an activity that you both enjoy.
As we look ahead to the spring, we remain grateful for our school and community partners who are showing up for students on a daily basis. We look forward to connecting with you through our events and programs, and invite you to join us in our continued dedication to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement.
Warmly,
Megan Pacheco, Executive Director
