Hi,

Making children and young adults less mentally well through “Good intentions.”

I’ve been following the movement of “trigger warnings” and so-called “safe spaces” that are primarily on college campuses (US, UK, Canada). Trigger warnings are supposed to protect people from being uncomfortable/offended/traumatized from content, a phrase, or even a simple word. For instance, at one elite university, a law professor was asked not to teach “rape Law” because it might traumatize a student or students (she was also asked not to use the word “violates”). So much for academia, discourse, and critical thinking. There’s a best-selling book called “The Coddling of the American Mind” which details the movement; a movement where the “demanders” of triggers, and “warnings” think they are helping but they are actually making people less mentally healthy. The authors give a classic CBT approach to health: A woman gets stuck in an elevator. She then becomes anxious of elevators and won’t go on one. So, does a good psychologist recommend she never go on the elevator? Of course not. This is unhealthy. The psychologist would have her work through her fears and slowly get back on an elevator. (Megan: is “elevator” a “trigger” word for her?)

By announcing there might be discomfort, is going against human resiliency. When students (or anyone) is told “Oh, the material I’m covering in class today might trigger you” puts this into their minds and they become more anxiety-ridden. Our children are becoming less healthy, less mentally healthy. They are not learning coping skills, their parents are now called “bulldozer” parents – who move everything out of the way so their child does not have to face anything challenging where they would learn to copy, work through fears, etc. Girls are doing worse than boys (see article). There are numerous articles and interviews with the authors. Below is just one. If we (the collective) were doing what’s “right” then rates of suicidal thinking and attempts in children would not have doubled between 2007-2015 (CNN – Google it).

By the way, I was told not to grade in red ink because it “traumatizes” students. So what did I do? I grade in red ink. My students are fine. In 18 years I’ve never had a student fall to the ground, curl into a ball, and cry. We need to make them tough, bring back rigor, bring back resilience. Children who are brought up with coping skills, etc. have less anxiety. These children are now entering college and colleges can’t hire counselors fast enough. And, they are being drugged.

Social Media is another part of this but you can read about it. Well-documented that it’s making children, teens, etc. less mentally healthy. Adults too. Some of my students mentioned last week that they have to tell their own parents to put away their phones at dinnertime. And, some parents get angry!!

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/

Hi!

What would a call to action look like? Or a warning? If you were to assist them in a call the action, what would you have them (producers) do?

Megan

William, I am sorry for your loss. Suicide is so difficult to cope with and, unfortunately, people do end up taking their lives for a variety of reasons. Roughly 40,000 commit suicide each year in this country, and there are 40,000 different stories behind each one. And, in each case, they fell through the cracks. This is why I don’t believe A Star is Born is to blame – it actually shows someone falling through the cracks, and remember, “Jack” was suffering just as many do. I’m just a bit baffled why a fourth remake of the same film–which shows what people actually go through–is viewed so negatively. Instead of harming people, perhaps it’s doing the opposite: helping people? This, I’m most interested in. I also doubt there has been a surge in suicides since the release of the film; rather, look at war, bullying, drug abuse (much initiated by big pharma), technology and more (Social Media is causing more depression…this is backed by science.)

Just my thoughts,

Megan

Beth,

Thank you for your comment. I understand how hard it is to lose a loved one to suicide! I’ve lost two people in my life to this and it always stings! We may have bad days, but it’s important to keep focus on how beautiful and precious life is!

William,
I am so sorry for your loss. I found my father after he committed suicide and I have never been the same. Thank you for your comment, though I know it was not easy to write. It angers me that this production influenced your family member’s decisions and did not include a call-to-action in the film. Unfortunately, I fear that you are not the only family influenced by this negative film.
Best,
Mary Beth