What adolescents (or teenagers) need to thrive | Charisse Nixon | TEDxPSUErie

Charisse Nixon is a development psychologist who studies at risk behavior as well as protective factors among children and adolescents. According to Nixon, we know that kids and adults are suffering. In fact, some research studies have shown that rates of depression and anxiety have actually increased over the past 50 years. According to recent research, we know that approximately 1 in 5 youth will suffer from a major depressive episode by the time they leave high school. In the middle of our fast paced, technologically driven world, adolescents stand before you — searching for purpose… searching to fit in and belong. After decades of research of those who have studied this field, one thing is very clear: meaningful connections serve as protective factors in the lives of our youth. Nixon shares her ideas on how we can help our youth build those meaningful connections.

Dr. Charisse Nixon is currently a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Behrend. She trains educators throughout the United States providing a unique integration of empirical research and practical strategies to help caring adults create environments that optimize children and adolescents’ developmental outcomes. Her research interests currently include studying effective prevention and intervention efforts related to reducing peer mistreatment and its associated harm. Building students’ resiliency through mentoring is a core tenet of her work. Charisse has a heart for young people–for young people to actually thrive and not just survive, to be the best that they can be.

[Healthyrunningworld]

"All she needed was an acknowledgement." That is so amazingly deep. She changed my heart with that. This was beautiful.

[esmevasquez]

Maybe this video is not the solution but give us precious information about our adolescents, for example now I understand why he is always defensive and angry with my responses or attitudes, he thinks he is being attacked. I’m so grateful with this woman for sharing her knowledge.

[mirandaburke]

I'm almost 19 and have no idea what I want to do with my life, but i always knew it would be to help the development of self esteem of kids, specifically older kids. Maybe il be a developmental psychologist!!

[dorisbusanoovado]

Those 4 Gems are also what adults need to thrive. This video made me realize that adults are similar to adolescents and have some growing up to do.

[maureenahern-luna]

This must be shared and watch it again and again. I work with elementary children they know bullying is not allowed yet it begins in vary subtle ways. It's learned behavior and we all need to learn to be kind and encouraging and yes we are all broken!
STAY HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL 💞

[kashyiawilliams]

I’m 16 and I needed this video to help me out with my depression and it did now I can pass it on to my sister and brothers and mom

I want to thank you .
Just had a dificult holiday with my 15 y. o. son and his lovely 14 y.o. girlfriend, enjoyng they're amazing first holiday together, stayng up all night and giving me and my girlfriend a hard time .
I realized suddenly, that not only is my son a tenager but that "I" ! I am a fader of a teenager. Suddenly my son is not good anymore, he must get good grades, he does not want to speak to me...but i am doing exactly the same! Is just that my son was a great conversator. He loved to speak when he was a young child. He always had lots of initiatives. He was always there! and that has changed. Now its more up to me. I have to do something actively for that connection with him. That is very confronting to me because i realize now after seeing your video how much I have changed with age. I became too confortable in my own litle life. I dont need much so i dont need to reach out to others. Now i realize if i want to help my son i have to change that. That is huge in all aspects. Thanks again for your elucidating words!

[CP-wwnj]

My eyes are about to explode as this video helped me so much as a mother.

[annateves]

This woman's on point!
I teach HS and I'm sharing this with my students and their parents.

[angelmossucco]

Vulnerability such as sharing my background, mistakes and struggles —past and present — is an essential aspect of how I relate to my students and increasingly my children.

[bboyneon]

Very underrated.
An important lesson.
Glad I came across this. I'm spreading this amongst people I know.

[jacobtrz]

The funny thing is I learned all of this growing up in a religious household, so none of this is new information, especially the four gems. I definitely appreciate the theories finally catching up to tried and true practices!

[anyhowsay]

On the other side of the globe the stuff mentioned here are taught day in day out at home & in school. We call them values. But it sounded like a whole new discovery here, so deep. Like a lost civilization

[StormSheldon]

EMPATHY * GRATITUDE* FORGIVENESS* HUMILITY = 4 gems we need to pass onto our Kids; in order for them to THRIVE.

[blueskysunnyday]

Thank you for this! On the first day of school I have my tenth grade students write a thank you letter to any teacher they have ever had. It’s so fun to see the teacher they choose and why.

[cathywhite]

This is a great presentation. I’m a school nurse working with middle school students. This is so powerful . I will be sure to share with my colleagues.
Thank you

[dreamerbell_]

We watched this video for class and wow, it's really great. Everything she said stuck to me. Thank you

[milliesadielucy]

excellent and so common sense but said beautiful. Thank you for organizing it perfectly

[madwolf]

I have been raised without phones and devices and friends just my family. And the connection I’ve gotten from having a phone is so great. I’ve been able to make and keep friends bc of it.

[jayemartin]

Probably the best 30 minutes I have spent since I can remember. Phenomenal!