Yesterday a friend and I went for our weekly walk, and got into the conversation of mental health. It turned to the subject of Millennials and mental health.
I told her about my volunteer work with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). I’m a presenter for their in-school program, Ending the Silence, which raises awareness about mental illness to middle and high school students.
My friend shared how her son (I’ll call him Garrett), a junior in college, suffers from anxiety and depression. He’s received treatment and is doing well. Garrett and his mom had been talking about technology, and how social media is a constant presence and a huge pressure in the lives of young adults.
Garrett was in a class last semester, in which the professor was adamant about having the students put their cell phones away. They asked him why.
The professor said the best way to describe why they shouldn’t have their phones on in class is by showing them a video.
Garrett said it was one of the most powerful videos he’s seen.
It’s by motivational speaker Simon Sinek. He discusses four areas that explain some of the thoughts and actions of Millennials: Parenting, Technology, Impatience, and Environment.
Simon explains how important it is to put the phones and tech devices away. If our heads are buried in our phones, we’re going to miss the little things. The small conversations that help form relationships and friendships.
Engage with people, not phones.
One of my favorite parts of the video is when Simon brings up the art of learning patience. It’s easy to be impatient in a world where everything is instantaneous, we get used to instant gratification. It’s all right there, at the click of a button. From buying items on Amazon, to streaming a movie or binge-watching on Netflix, or even finding a date with an app.
BUT… there are things in life that take time, and a ton of nurturing. Things that aren’t going to happen in a month, or even a year.
They require patience.
- deep relationships
- strong friendships
- love
- self-confidence
- self-fulfillment
- success
- trust
- mastering skill sets
- experiencing joy in life
Before today, I hadn’t seen any of Simon’s videos or TED Talks. Now I’m a fan. Garrett was right. This is one powerful video that shouldn’t be missed.
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