Caminar in the News: Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Are You Worried Yet?

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, is an official member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. His first thought-leadership article recently published, “Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Are You Worried Yet?”

In the article, Cloutier states: “We can no longer overlook the abundance of warning signs and risks to adolescent mental health posed by social media. With up to 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 using a social media platform, the issue has become so concerning that the Surgeon General issued a warning. Yet the warning signs continue to mount. “

We invite you to read the entire article here.

Caminar in the News: HUD doles out nearly $2 million for CAP Solano housing projects

The Daily Republic recently reported that the Housing First Solano Continuum of Care agencies and organizations have received nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding is primarily for use with housing projects in Solano County.

Caminar is a recipient of part of that funding: “Caminar received two grants, totaling $253,618, for its programs at Sereno Village, in Vallejo, and Laurel Gardens, in Fairfield.”

You may read the entire article here.

Caminar in the News: The Mental Health Crisis Gripping Our Youth with Mark Cloutier

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, recently spoke with Dr. Graham Taylor, host of the Behavioral Health Today podcast. Dr Taylor and Mark spoke at length about the increasingly pervasive mental health issues that adolescents are experiencing.

We invite you to listen to the 30-minute episode.

The Behavioral Health Today podcast is designed to share unique and relevant topics occurring within our world and communities and bring them a behavioral and mental health perspective.

Sharon's Story: I love my place!

Earlier this year, Sharon's life took a turn for the better. After being unhoused for a year and a half, she finally obtained housing. "I love my place!" says Sharon.   

For months, Sharon tried to secure housing, but as a disabled 62-year-old, her only income was social security disability, and she could not afford a security deposit. More significantly, her credit became compromised ever since her long-time domestic partner transferred ownership of her house to his name. Sharon disclosed that she felt betrayed by her partner long before he compromised the ownership of her home. "He tried to unalive me several times...I felt so defeated," shared Sharon.    

Although unmarried, Sharon believed sharing a home with the father of her child was practical. "I trusted him because I had been with him all these years, and we share an adult child," says Sharon.   

Sharon knew it was up to her to secure her safety. Unfortunately, her home no longer lawfully belonged to her, her son did not believe she was a victim of Intimate Partner Violence, and her only support system, her mom, had now passed away. Sharon was alone. "I was in and out of hospital emergency rooms, and my son did not want to believe it. I had to put my son to the side and do what I had to do to survive because I knew that being on the outside, I could fight back better."   

Sharon compartmentalized her trauma to push through and focused on overcoming the challenges ahead.     

Through a social worker, Sharon found Caminar's Resource Connect Solano (RCS) program, a Coordinated Entry System that ensures all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to housing programs.     

Sharon enjoyed connecting with RCS's Program Director, DeAndre Richard. "DeAndre was so kind to me, and something told me to trust him. They have over 2,000 people in the same predicament as me, and he said, 'Ms. Sharon, I will get you out of your car. We don't have the money today, but I will find you the money for a security deposit.' Two days later, I had an apartment!"   

Today, Sharon finds purpose in sharing her story, "We talk about people who are reported, but what about people my age who are not reported? I will keep fighting and advocating for people – telling my story because this shouldn't happen to people".  

When Sharon first left her abusive relationship, she felt disillusioned and alone. Although challenging, her experience helped her realize the power abusers have over someone and how understandably vulnerable she was. "Sometimes you're in it, and you don't even know you're in it. I didn't realize how bad it was until I got out," says Sharon.    

Sharon understands she cannot save the world but hopes to pass the kindness extended to her forward. "RCS changed my whole life for the better. I live in my own place now, I have shelter, I have a purpose, I have everything I need to fight back." 

The mental health crisis is gripping our youth. It’s time to release the tension.

Caminar’s Speakers Series, held in May of this year, offered a discussion with adolescent mental health experts who helped address solutions to the question: How can we restore hope and resilience in our youth? Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, wrote this piece after the event and included some of the insightful and actionable ideas our expert panel shared.

The mental health crisis is gripping our youth. It’s time to release the tension.
By Mark Cloutier, Caminar CEO

From climate change and COVID-19 to mass shootings, the prevalence and effects of lethal drugs, and so many other issues, our youth are burdened with anxiety and depression. And the indicators for detrimental levels of concern have never been as worrisome as they are today. Leaving youth mental health unaddressed, we face an entire generation growing up with unresolved trauma and built-up stress. We need to build hope and resilience in adolescents today as future generations will depend on what we are doing now.

In order to provide the right support, we first need to understand what indicators are causing this crisis. A large proponent is social media, which is limiting time - time to interact with other children and adults, and reducing the time to sleep. The other two big factors compounding the issue are climate change and gun violence. A global study showed that 8 out of 10 children worry that climate change is threatening people, and the planet. Firearms are also the leading cause of death for children and young adults between 0 to 24 years of age. These statistics, coupled with the normal stressors of adolescence - likeability, acceptance, identity issues, etc. - are contributing to poor mental health. So how do we, as parents, do what we can to mitigate their exposure to these issues by having on-going, effective and informed communication with them? To start, recognizing distress they may have from these issues is the beginning of being able to create hope in them.

Prioritize Connection

We can start by recognizing what adolescents value. Younger generations look to us for honesty and authenticity, and they hunger for deep connections to feel seen for what they think. Putting ourselves in their shoes and understanding where they’re coming from and what they’re feeling, will help us build connection and instill the hope they’re looking for.

Connecting with adolescents and understanding them on an emotional level by offering them a safe space to open up and letting them know it’s normal to have big feelings about societal issues, i.e., climate change or gun violence, will begin the process of restoring our youth’s mental health. As Elizabeth Allured, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and educator at Suffolk Institute, advises, “you don’t have to be a therapist to be a good listener, but you do have to listen quite well.” Instead of talking to our children, listen to them. Hear what they have to say, as this will not only validate their feelings, but allow you to form a deeper connection with them as well.

Don’t Jump to A Solution

Oftentimes, our society will see a problem and want to find a solution right away. Instead of trying to solve the issue, it’s important to recognize the issue at hand and how it’s impacting our youth, on an emotional level. “Young people do not consider incremental change as a solution-

making aspect anymore,” said mental health advocate and public health major at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Faria Tavacoli. Adolescents find that by expressing their emotions about the problem first, they’re able to clear their minds and then tackle the solution.

Be Honest and Authentic

In discussing one’s emotional toll and feelings that surmount when these issues arise, it’s important to be honest with our youth. Allow them to trust you. If a child asks you how you feel about climate change and you’re worried about it too, be honest with them. Let them know that when you do experience moments of hopelessness, you pause and let the feelings fully in. It is important to communicate that so they feel safe talking to you about how difficult their feelings are for them. If it feels appropriate, you may consider exploring what solutions might work –including them in brainstorming solutions empowers them. It may also be a good time to remember the progress that has been made as a way of instilling hope. If you say “everything will be alright,” but your face shows worry, the chances of that child trusting or opening up to you again are likely slim to none. Simply, we need to be better role models by being vulnerable and sharing our emotions too.

Caution Against Misinformation

Another challenge is the ever-expanding web of misinformation that challenges our youth’s ability to see clear facts or fables, leading to doubt and mistrust. More so, as technology like artificial intelligence (AI) advances, it’s critical to give our youth the resources and knowledge to identify an AI-generated source versus a human one. Susan Clayton, PhD, Whitmore-Williams Professor of Psychology at the College of Wooster in Ohio, suggests that staying on top of these advancements is vital, but also “teaching children how, and when, to be able to trust what they hear is an important skill too.” Reputable news sites are helpful resources to distinguish between fact and fiction, as well as validation from an adult who may have more knowledge on the topic or situation.

Understand that Resilience Takes Time

Regardless of the stressor, like the isolation brought about by the pandemic, or the polarizing political environment that is creating civil strife, every child will have a unique perspective and connection to these events. It’s also important to recognize and accept that resilience is not a constant. The saying, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” doesn’t apply here, as even the most resilient people have hard days. Nonetheless, “resilience can be built with practice, it’s like a muscle,” says Anne E. Brodsky, PhD, Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Staying resilient amidst these events will look different for everyone, which is why community and social support is so important.

Providing our youth with resources in general through physical reading materials, access to support groups, and skills training, is important to improving their mental health. Whether they’re worried about the pandemic or a recent mass shooting, providing them with the right material to learn about these topics is critical to making them feel heard, and allows them to process their emotions. Increasing our engagement within our own communities will build our youth’s resiliency in their mental health. Seeing that so many people are involved or care about a certain issue, will make them feel less alone and justify that what they are worried about really does matter.

It’s daunting to see how often these issues are occurring and the impact it’s having on our younger generations. The curtain’s pulled back, unveiling a lot of work that needs to be done to provide the hope our youth needs. Truly, it’s up to us to teach the skills necessary for resilience. If hope is the intention, resilience is the action that will make it a reality. So, let’s get to it.

Caminar in the News: Mark Cloutier Of Caminar On 5 Things We Need To Do To Improve The US Healthcare System

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, was interviewed in December by Authority Magazine on “5 Things We Need To Do To Improve The US Healthcare System”.

This in-depth interview covers a broad range of topics, including how Mark began his career in healthcare, his favorite quote, and how the healthcare system can be improved to serve patients better.

We invite you to read the interview here.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Awareness Month

In September, we recognize Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Awareness Month, a time to promote understanding of community culture and heritage and raise awareness around accessibility.

Worldwide, millions of people are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, and it is important to note that although there are similarities in physical conditions, life experiences and identities vary. For example, a person who was born Deaf can have a different understanding of their identity than a person who became deaf later in life. 

Deaf, with a capital D, refers to a group of people who share a language (ASL) and similar life experiences that extend far beyond not hearing. This community does not know a world with sound but instead one with expressive communication and pride-inducing traditions and values. 

Hard-of-Hearing is a widely-accepted term to describe someone with mild to moderate hearing loss. Hard-of-Hearing people can have a sense of belonging to both Deaf and hearing communities, or just one, or neither. At times, this community can have a challenging time establishing a cultural or social identity. Still, more often than not, they are in allyship with Deaf people. 

There are many ways that hearing people can support individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. One of the most effective ways is to learn and use American Sign Language (ASL) or other forms of visual communication, like captioning and staying in eyesight for lip reading. We can also enhance accessibility accommodations, such as providing ASL interpreters and closed captioning for online videos, public spaces, and live events. These adaptations play a crucial role in enhancing inclusion and accessibility for individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.

It is also essential to recognize societal barriers that can contribute to the marginalization of people who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. By advocating for better access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities and improving access to assistive technology and services such as hearing aids, we can start to empower - rather than marginalize - people who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. 

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and understanding around a community that is often misperceived. By learning about deafness and hearing loss, ensuring accommodations, and advocating for a more inclusive society, hearing people can work alongside Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people to create a more accessible and equitable world for everyone.

It is important to realize that there is a great deal of pride amongst Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Often people aren’t aware of how embraced being Deaf is and the vibrance and collaborativeness of the community. In fact, sharing information and resources among community members is a prevalent practice to collectively enrich each other's quality of life. For example, in Deaf culture it is appropriate to talk openly about money, personal issues, physical appearance, and more. Hearing people may perceive these unfiltered practices as frank but for Deaf people this is socially acceptable since the intent is to express interest and support.     

Still, the impact of deafness and hearing loss on individuals can be significant, amongst other circumstances. For some, communication can become challenging, leading to social isolation. Notably, 90% of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children are born to hearing parents and a caregivers' willingness to learn ASL can have a significant impact on a child. In the workplace, individuals may face barriers to communication and opportunities for advancement. However, if preventative equitable measures are acknowledged and honored, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people can lead lives free of anxiety and depression. This makes accessibility, an invested support system, and understanding from hearing people essential to combating avoidable mental health conditions. 

At Caminar, we are committed to providing comprehensive behavioral health services to all community members, including individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. Our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program of licensed professionals assists Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals with various concerns, including depression, anxiety, daily stressors, trauma, communication skills, self-esteem, social skills, parenting, healthy relationships, grief and loss, and severe mental illness. Program participants can access therapy, rehabilitation counseling, case management, psychiatry, and medication support services. Caminar opens its doors to individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and wants them to know that here they can receive the support and care they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

We encourage all people to engage with educational content this month and broaden their understanding of a community that inspires our work. 

Please enjoy this joke that was shared with us by our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program staff. 

Bob's House - Deaf joke - Pepsi's Super Bowl Ad

CONTACT INFO 
Deaf/ Hard-of-Hearing Program 
video phone 669.236.3509
tel 408.292.9353 


In the News: Alumna Adrienne Keel Shares Moments of Pride

On the first day of Pride Month, SJSU News Center published an “Alumna Adrienne Keel Shares Moments of Pride” featuring Adrienne Keel, Director of LGBTQ Programs at Caminar.

The piece states,

This June, we recognize community leader Adrienne Keel, ’10 Psychology, who serves as the director of LGBTQ+ programs at Caminar, a behavioral services agency in San José. She agreed to answer questions about her time at SJSU, as well as to share resources that support LGBTQ+ folks in Silicon Valley.

We invite you to read the entire article, including Adrienne’s thoughtful answers, and wish all a happy pride month!