Each one of us knows what it feels like to enter a room where negative words have just been spoken about us. The atmosphere carries the weight of those negative words. We also know how someone's thoughtless negative words can linger in our minds for years, affecting our behavior and our perception of ourselves. On the other hand, we all know what it's like to converse with someone who is full of enthusiasm, ideas, belief, and trust in the future. The power of words is immense. The words of others shape us and this world in some way, always.
There are plenty of words describing the state of mental health and well-being of young people and students (and many adults) in today's society. Words about problems, shortcomings, statistics, deficiencies, and consequences. And rightfully so; we cannot afford to be ignorant or indifferent. However, words are tools with which we guide and construct our thinking and the reality around us. Through words, we give definitions and meanings to the phenomena happening around us. Therefore, the words we use create the reality in which we live.
We believe it's time to shift the focus of the conversation to solutions instead of problems, to causes instead of consequences, to actions and opportunities instead of deficiencies, and to hope instead of despair. Perhaps it's worth considering what kind of reality we are creating around us when we speak about the well-being issues of young people. We are honored and excited to contribute to this conversation at the MTV stage of SuomiAreena on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11 am! See you in Pori this summer? The panel discussion will also be available for viewing on Katsomo.
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