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Navigating Change: Managing the Emotional Impact of a Potential TikTok Ban

Posted on by Erika Hill

At The Jed Foundation (JED), we understand that the potential ban of TikTok is raising questions and concerns among many teens and young adults, parents, and educators. We recognize that for some, TikTok is not just an app, but a community and a platform for self-expression, connection, and even mental health support. We also acknowledge the national security concerns that have led to the discussions of a ban and the importance of safeguarding the privacy and data of Americans.

There are steps you can take to manage stress or anxiety that might arise from these developments. As we navigate the complexities of this issue, JED offers the following guidance:

  1. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with credible news sources about the potential TikTok ban. Understanding the reasons, processes, and implications can help you feel more in control of the situation.
  2. Communicate Openly: We encourage parents to talk with their children about the potential ban, listening to their feelings and concerns. For teens and young adults, this is an opportunity to express how TikTok has affected you – positively and negatively– and discuss alternative ways to reap the benefits you’ve had in the app.
  3. Seek Alternative Outlets: If TikTok has been a source of creativity or connection for you, consider exploring other platforms or activities that can provide a similar outlet. Whether it’s another social media platform, a local club, or an art class, there are many ways to continue expressing yourself and staying connected.
  4. Focus on Digital Literacy and Safety: Use this moment to engage in conversations about digital literacy and safety. Discuss the importance of protecting personal information online and being critical of the sources and types of data we share.
  5. Manage Stress: If the news is causing stress, it’s important to practice self-care. This can include stepping away from the news when needed, engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness, or reaching out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support.
  6. Prepare for Change: Change can be hard, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. Start thinking about how you might adapt to the absence of TikTok, should the ban go into effect. This could be a chance to diversify your interests and discover new passions.

Remember, it’s okay to feel upset or uncertain about the potential change to your life on social media. It’s a reminder that our online environments are often in flux, and being adaptable is a valuable skill. The Jed Foundation is here to support you through these changes, offering resources and guidance to help you maintain your emotional health and well-being. Together, we can navigate this challenge and emerge resilient and connected, no matter what platforms we use.

Kentucky Higher Education Partnership With JED Featured in Local Media Coverage

Posted on by Meghan Nelligan

Find news coverage about JED’s first-of-its-kind program with The Kentucky Community & Technical College System, The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC), and The Healthy Minds Network. 

  1. Fox 56 News night and morning segment
  2. WEHT ABC News
  3. Kentucky Today
  4. Middlesboro News
  5. The Winchester Sun

Cecilia Gentili: Pioneering Activist and Cherished Friend

Posted on by Jessica Hicks

Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, JED's Chief Medical Officer, and Cecilia Gentili at the Transcendence Awards in 2014.

By Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth

Cecilia was one of those people who didn’t need a last name. If you said “Cecilia” in a group of queer or trans people anywhere in New York City, they knew exactly who you were talking about. 

You could fill pages with her accomplishments. Powerhouse activist. Speaker. Performer. Author. Ms. Orlando on the TV show “Pose.” She was always juggling an inhuman number of projects and events. I’d known Cecilia for a decade before joining The Jed Foundation; we met as board members for the book “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves.” I didn’t realize Cecilia had a connection to JED until I stumbled across JED Voices interviews with her a month after I started as chief medical officer.

Cecilia was what Laverne Cox calls a “possibility model” — someone who others can look up to and imagine a future for themselves. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house at her first memorial service, held just a day after her death.

I loved so many things about Cecilia. She was wickedly funny and absolutely irreverent. Looking back at messages between us, I found one where I asked her to send me a copy of a play she was in that hadn’t debuted yet. She replied five minutes later, saying, “I’m not sure if I am allowed but… do I strike you as someone that only does things she is allowed?”

Cecilia never said no to anyone who asked her. If you reached out about her speaking at an event, her response was always, “Sure, when is it?” When someone needed something — food, a place to stay, a hug — she was there. At the same time, she also had boundaries. When people became “too much drama,” she quietly exited the situation. The last time I saw Cecilia, she and her partner, Peter, were over for dinner. She had launched her consulting business and was hiring new employees and traveling all over the country. But what she most wanted to talk about was her personal life. “You have to come kayaking with us near our place!” In follow-up messages, she excitedly texted about the new house she’d bought upstate, sending photos of a little waterfall in the backyard.

What I loved most about Cecilia was that she brought an open heart to everyone she interacted with despite all she’d been through. Since childhood, she had met so many people who had disappointed her, taken advantage of her, abused her. Yet she approached every new person with a clean slate and open arms.

There was a story Cecilia used to tell about her life growing up in Argentina. Because she was so different from her peers, and her brother had told her she’d been found on the railroad tracks, she convinced herself that she had been left on Earth by a UFO. When Cecilia brought up her theory to her grandmother, her grandmother packed a backpack full of snacks and trudged with little Cecilia into a field, where they spent the night together waiting for the UFO to come take her back. When they woke up on the grass in the morning, her grandmother said, “Maybe you did come from a UFO, but you live with us now. We’re your family, and I love you. Even if you came from a UFO, let’s make the best of it.”

Research shows that having just one caring adult can be what changes a young person’s path in life. If it hadn’t been for Cecilia’s grandmother, the world might not have known who Cecilia could become. Be that caring adult, and surround the young people you know with as many caring adults as possible. It really does matter.

Kentucky Higher Education System Partners With The Jed Foundation to Prioritize Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Students, Staff, and Faculty

Posted on by Erika Hill

The initiative aims to protect emotional health, prevent suicide, and strengthen connectedness across select college campuses and communities statewide.

February 26, 2024, Kentucky and New York City — The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, announced a four-year collaboration with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)’s Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC), and the Healthy Minds Network. Together, the organizations have launched a new multitiered pilot program focusing on the evaluation, development, and deployment of mental health, suicide prevention, and substance misuse programming for select college campuses, reaching nearly 200,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students–or 75% of all college students– across Kentucky.

As part of the partnership, JED is working with CPE to establish and facilitate a community of practice (CoP) that engages CPE staff, campus leaders, and mental health professionals at more than 25 colleges and universities. The first two of four virtually held CoPs kicked off last year with the goal of uniting community members from across the state to share best practices for supporting youth well-being, grounded in both JED’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for Colleges and Universities and JED Campus, while also making space for individuals to share lived experiences.

“Addressing mental health challenges among college students requires a comprehensive approach, including better access to mental health services and campus initiatives to reduce stigma around these services,” said CPE President Aaron Thompson. “It also requires campus-wide conversations and professional learning opportunities for faculty, staff and others. We are grateful to JED for their leadership and partnership in making Kentucky a leader in addressing these issues.” 

The collaborative and community-oriented approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention comes at an important time. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 34 in the United States, and 14% of college students contemplated suicide last year. In 2021, more than 3 million Kentuckians reported living in a community without a sufficient number of mental health professionals, and one-third of the state’s young adults ages 18 to 25 identified as living with a mental health condition.

“JED is proud to introduce this unique program and partnership with CPE, KCTCS, and the Healthy Minds Network to create communities of practice to help strengthen student mental health supports and resources across dozens of Kentucky higher education campuses,” said JED CEO John MacPhee. “This first-of-its-kind collaboration is about creating safer and more connected communities that prioritize student mental health. Together, we can address barriers to care and improve the lives of college students statewide.”

This month, the Healthy Minds Network is administering the Healthy Minds Study (HMS) on all 16 KCTCS college campuses, funded in part by CPE. The survey will offer a detailed picture of mental health and related issues among the current student population and help institutions identify priorities, benchmark against peer institutions, evaluate existing mental health programs, plan for new services, advocate for resources, and ultimately track JED’s impact on student outcomes.

“We’re very pleased to join forces with these partners to help us identify what our students really need, what is working best for them, and where there are opportunities for us to improve services,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “By addressing the mental health needs of our students, we will better fulfill our mission to educate a healthier, more productive and a higher skilled workforce for Kentucky.”

“Large-scale data collection is the first essential step for informing campus-specific and state-wide priorities to address mental health needs. We are thrilled to see colleges and universities across the state of Kentucky coming together to administer the Healthy Minds Study on their campuses,” said Healthy Minds Network Principal Investigator Sarah Lipson.

In May, KCTCS and CPE will commence a day-long event in Frankfort, Kentucky, to share perspectives, accomplishments, and data insights from the HMS to inform strategic priorities for their respective communities and guide the collaborative partnership through 2027. 

Grant funding for the pilot program is made possible by Macy’s Inc., who sponsored the mental health programming and comprehensive suicide preventative efforts of four KY schools. This initiative was also made possible by the James Graham Brown Foundation, which funded the launch of the Kentucky Student Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC). The KYSSC has invested $214,400 to support 21 colleges and universities to receive JED technical assistance and to support their mental health strategic plan implementation.

If your school or statewide system is interested in partnering with JED on a customized, cost-effective initiative that serves as a safety net against mental health concerns and the risk of suicide, contact Mary Kadera, JED’s Senior Director of Strategic Program Initiatives, at mary@jedfoundation.org.

About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED! Email | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest | TikTok

About Kentucky Community and Technical College System

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the commonwealth’s largest postsecondary institution, with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. With an annual enrollment of 101,000 students, KCTCS is the state’s largest provider of workforce training, dual-credit classes, and online education, serving 44% of the state’s public higher-education undergraduates. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. Our colleges are united in their commitment to making life better for our students, communities, and the citizens of Kentucky, which has resulted in KCTCS earning the No. 1 spot in the nation in credentials awarded per capita by public two-year institutions. To date, KCTCS has bettered the lives of 1.2 million Kentuckians.

Connect with KCTCS: kctcs.edu | Facebook | Twitter

About the Council on Postsecondary Education

The Council on Postsecondary Education is leading transformation in our workforce, economy, and quality of life by advancing progress in educational attainment across Kentucky. As the state’s higher-education coordinating agency, we champion high-quality, inclusive, and affordable postsecondary opportunities that prepare students for civic engagement and sustainable careers. That’s why we are undertaking the 60×30 goal, an ambitious effort to raise the percentage of working-age Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by 2030. At CPE, we believe higher education matters — for everyone.

About the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC)

The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC) is made possible through a partnership and financial investment from the James Graham Brown Foundation with the goal of engaging Kentucky’s postsecondary partners with nonprofit, workforce, and governmental stakeholders to address the state’s most pressing challenges and barriers to student success.

About the Healthy Minds Network

The Healthy Minds Network is one of the nation’s premier research organizations contributing to adolescent and young adult mental health. HMN is dedicated to improving the mental and emotional well-being of young people through innovative, multidisciplinary scholarship. HMN spans coast to coast, with principal investigators at the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Boston University. Our network proudly serves as a resource for postsecondary education administrators, students, researchers, clinicians, policy-makers, and the greater public.

For 15 years, the network has administered the Healthy Minds Study, a population-level survey of postsecondary student mental health, collecting over 800,000 responses from students at more than 800 colleges and universities. The network’s research efforts have expanded into other facets of mental health in educational settings, including the role and health of faculty and staff.

Media Contacts
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org
918-844-4611

Sue Patrick
Public Relations Consultant, KCTCS
Sue.patrick@kctcs.edu
859-333-3177

Jesse Osbourne
Director of Communications, CPE
jesse.osbourne@ky.gov
270-402-4940

Sarah Lipson
Principal Investigator, The Healthy Minds Network
Associate Professor,  Boston University School of Public Health
sklipson@bu.edu 
781-354-9393

 

JED Partners with Chegg for 2nd Annual Global Student Mental Health Week Amid Growing Loneliness Epidemic

Posted on by Erika Hill

Global organizations join Chegg to elevate conversations around student mental health, taking place February 26 – March 3.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., February 13, 2024 /BUSINESS WIRE — Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG), today announced that it has partnered with esteemed non-profits and organizations from around the world for Global Student Mental Health Week 2024, taking place from February 26 to March 3. In its second year, Student Mental Health Week will have a special focus on tackling student loneliness. The World Health Organization has deemed social isolation an issue and a global health priority, and warned of the impact of loneliness on well-being. The Chegg.org Global Student Survey uncovered startling findings about student mental health: 59% of those polled globally say they do not sleep enough, 54% say they have experienced daily feelings of anxiety, and 46% say they have experienced academic burnout.[1] 

Student Mental Health Week is a global initiative that seeks to destigmatize mental health among students, encourage young people to be intentional about looking after themselves, and inspire conversations around what policymakers, education institutions, the wider community, caregivers, and learners themselves can do to support student mental wellness. 

The non-profits and organizations from around the world that Chegg has partnered with for this year’s Student Mental Health Week include Active Minds, the Ayrton Senna Institute, Born This Way Foundation, Calm, Inspiring Children Foundation, The Jed Foundation (JED), the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Nivishe Foundation, Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, ONYX Mental Health Family, Orygen, “Seize the Awkward” from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and JED with the Ad Council, Student Minds, the Varkey Foundation and Young Invincibles.

“Following the success of our inaugural event last year, it is with great pride that we announce the return of Student Mental Health Week,” said Heather Hatlo Porter, Head of Chegg.org and Chief Communications Officer of Chegg, Inc. “The need to elevate conversations about mental health has never seemed more urgent and our resolve has never been stronger. By continuing to promote a dialogue between diverse voices from across the world, we hope to show that mental health is an issue that affects us all, and it must be at the top of the global policy agenda. Although today’s students live in the most connected era in history, many experience a deep sense of disconnection, feeling lonely and struggling to make friends. I’d like to thank all the organizations that have partnered with us on this campaign as we continue our commitment to holistically supporting students.”

 Activities kicking off during the week of February 26-March 3, 2024:

  • Chegg will bring together the mental health resources from these collaborative partners, including simple tips to improve mental wellness, under a centralized online resource, and signpost the support available to its millions of students worldwide, via the Student Mental Health Week website.
  • Student Mental Health Week will encompass a variety of in-person and digital events, involving students to inform debate and help educate policymakers, educational institutions, and communities on the mental health challenges students face.
  • Chegg will work with students around the world to find opportunities to have their voices heard by elite decision-makers and influencers. This will include meetings on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and officials from the U.S. Department for Education, in partnership with Young Invincibles.
  • Finalists of the Chegg.org $100,000 Global Student Prize and the $1 million Global Teacher Prize will be asked to share how they look after their mental wellness, which resources they turn to for support, facts about student mental health in their country, and projects they are involved with on the ground.
  • Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning will launch a white paper based on global research on the mental health of students around the world.
  • Calm, a Chegg partner and the world’s number one app for sleep, meditation and relaxation, will curate a collection of guided meditations for anxiety and stress for students.

The Chegg.org Global Student Survey 2023 recently found that 38% of students worldwide have trouble meeting new people and making friends. [2] 

Nhial Deng, the winner of the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2023 who at the age of 11 was forced to flee his war-torn village and walk hundreds of kilometres alone until he reached Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, where he grew up for the next 12 years, said, “This initiative resonates profoundly with me and my journey. As students across the globe navigate the complexities of their lives, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. It’s a powerful reminder that while academic achievements are important, the wellbeing of students is equally crucial for their overall success and happiness. I am committed to using my platform to advocate for mental health resources and support systems for educational institutions in cities, villages, and refugee camps, ensuring every student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams in a supportive and nurturing environment.”

About Chegg

Millions of people all around the world learn with Chegg. No matter the goal, level, or style, Chegg helps learners learn with confidence. We provide 24/7 on-demand support, and our personalized learning assistant leverages the power of artificial intelligence (“AI”), more than a hundred million pieces of proprietary content, as well as a decade of learning insights. Our platform also helps learners build essential life and job skills to accelerate their path from learning to earning, and we work with companies to offer learning programs for their employees. Chegg is a publicly held company and trades on the NYSE under the symbol CHGG. For more information, visit www.chegg.com.

About Chegg.org

Chegg.org is the impact, advocacy, and research arm of Chegg, Inc: addressing the issues facing the modern student. For more information, visit www.chegg.org.

[1] Page 34 https://8dfb1bf9-2f43-45af-abce-2877b9157e2c.usrfiles.com/ugd/8dfb1b_e9bad0aef091478397e6a9ff96651f6d.pdf

[2] Page 34 https://8dfb1bf9-2f43-45af-abce-2877b9157e2c.usrfiles.com/ugd/8dfb1b_e9bad0aef091478397e6a9ff96651f6d.pdf

Media contact: JaShel Jones, press@chegg.com 

About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest | TikTok

Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
(914) 844-4611

Get Help Now

If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone right now, text, call, or chat 988 for a free confidential conversation with a trained counselor 24/7. 

You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

If this is a medical emergency or if there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.