I have been thinking about ways jobs can help us feel better about ourselves. When my family and I hang out with other families, I often ask the adults what jobs they had when they were teens. I also ask the kids if they have had jobs.
As our kids consider working this summer, now is the time to talk about the upsides of these experiences, including the mental health upsides!
My daughter just finished her second year of college and is actively seeking a summer job. You go, girl, you’ve got this.
I told her today’s blog’s theme, and she immediately told me that jobs have helped her “have a purpose and that they have “definitely helped” her mental health.
When I was a teen, I worked at a clothing store called Yarmo on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, The boss, Kathleen, was someone I looked up to. She was incredibly personable with me and the other workers while also holding us to high work standards. I remember feeling such a kick out of being entrusted with many responsibilities.
Something else I appreciate about my years working with Kathleen was that she made me feel better about my family. My dad had schizophrenia and spent much of his time wandering on Telegraph Ave. … and I never knew what shape he would be in when he came into the store. No matter how my dad appeared, I always knew Kathleen would greet him with an incredibly kind welcome. That meant so much to me.
In Screenagers Under The Influence, there is a wonderful scene where 21-year-old Elijah goes to see his past boss, Ja’Mal, to thank him for the years he spent working for him in his hair salon.
Earlier in the film, we learn that starting in middle school, Elijah faced many emotional struggles, including dealing with lots of negative self-talk, which he says was made worse by Instagram. One of the ways he coped with his sadness was to hang out with older kids, and with them he would drink a lot of alcohol, which made him feel “cool.”
The clip above is from the film when Elijah meets with Ja’ mal, and they discussed when Elijah started working there at 13.
Ja’Mal: “When he first started working for me. He didn't know what to do. He had no clue of like, working. The phone would ring, and you would just stand there, and I’d have to say, answer the phone.”
Elijah: “It was really fascinating and opened my mind to a lot of stuff. When you would just sit me down and just honestly let me exist in your space and learn from you.”
Ja’Mal: “I always wanted to keep you existing, and I was trying to let you know that it's not always good. Exciting.”
Elijah: “You know, one of the things you helped me with most was redefining my friend groups and figuring out what type of people I wanted to surround myself with. And what energy I was looking for.”
Ja’Mal laughs and says he would say: “Don't follow those fools.”
Elijah: “Yeah, exactly. You brought that conversation into my head, and you brought it forth when otherwise, I don't think I would have been talking to myself too much about those kinds of ideas.”
Ja’mal: “That's amazing.”
I have been thinking about ways jobs can help us feel better about ourselves. When my family and I hang out with other families, I often ask the adults what jobs they had when they were teens. I also ask the kids if they have had jobs.
As our kids consider working this summer, now is the time to talk about the upsides of these experiences, including the mental health upsides!
My daughter just finished her second year of college and is actively seeking a summer job. You go, girl, you’ve got this.
I told her today’s blog’s theme, and she immediately told me that jobs have helped her “have a purpose and that they have “definitely helped” her mental health.
When I was a teen, I worked at a clothing store called Yarmo on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, The boss, Kathleen, was someone I looked up to. She was incredibly personable with me and the other workers while also holding us to high work standards. I remember feeling such a kick out of being entrusted with many responsibilities.
Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Advisory on social media and youth mental health. Read today's blog for why we must act NOW.
READ MORE >
Shame and guilt are two challenging emotions. Over the years, I have found a beneficial way to talk about these emotions for certain young patients who are struggling. Today I share a story from my clinic.
READ MORE >
The U.S. Surgeon General announces a national framework to rebuild social connection and community in America. In his announcement, he said, “ …we have to renegotiate our relationship with technology, creating space in our lives without our devices so we can be more present with one another.” Today I share how I helped one dad navigate loneliness and isolation happening in his home with his teen.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
