Teens Leaders Connect Social and Emotional Learning to Mental Health
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Prime Time Palm Beach County invited its SEL specialist to the Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Meeting in May (See recording below). Teen leaders explored the impact mindfulness tools had on social and emotional resiliency and mental health. TAC is a group of youth who take on genuine leadership roles to help an organization, school or community group achieve its mission. The TAC meets regularly to advise its community, decide what special events to offer, how to spend money, promote programs and activities and more.
Prime Time’s SEL specialist instructed attendees on how to use expressive movement through rhythmic African and East Indian diaspora music and soft belly breathing. When done with mindful awareness, both practices can be transformative physically, mentally and emotionally. In addition, teen attendees made connections on how taking a proactive and preventative approach by practicing social emotional and mindfulness tools regularly can help build mental and emotional prosilience and resilience, by mitigating the impact of daily stress, anxiety and traumatic events.
At the end of the session, TAC members and community partners reflected and observed “feeling calmer and relaxed,” noticing “tension” and “anxiety” or awareness of thoughts and feelings. Participants expressed feeling an overall sense of embodied well-being.
Are you interested in starting or participating in a Teen Advisory Council? Click here to learn more.
