MentorChat

When you’re working with a group of young people, how do you make sure that everyone feels seen and heard? Mentoring isn’t always one-to-one with a young person and how you approach connection and relationship building can look differently in a group. In this episode, we talk with Kristy DeCola about how to facilitate mentoring relationships with groups of young people.

Chapter 6: Facilitating Group Interactions by Gabriel Kuperminc of Georgia State University discusses how to build a strong sense of belonging and create community when mentoring within groups of young people.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

KEYS Service Corps

Hello Neighbor in Pittsburgh works hard to foster a welcoming and supportive community to our newest neighbors. In this discussion with Jenni Walkup Jayes, we discuss the important role that cultural humility plays in making this happen. It’s not always easy! But making an effort to self-reflect as well as learn about the young people in your life is essential in building a trusting relationship where youth feel seen, heard, and safe.

Chapter 2: Practicing Cultural Humility by Bernadette Sanchez of the University of Illinois-Chicago discusses how it is essential to engage in continuous self-reflection as a mentor and the importance of making opportunities to learn about your mentee’s identity and cultural experiences.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Hello Neighbor

What’s more fun than talking about…well…fun! At the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, staff know how important fun and play is when creating welcoming spaces and building relationships with young people. In this episode, we talk with Kelly Rottmund about all the work and intention that’s happening behind the scenes to make sure that the library is a place where young people feel valued and have a good time!

Chapter 3: Making Room for Fun & Play by Michael Karcher of the University of Texas-San Antonio discusses how, by centering joyful experiences, mentors can develop stronger and more meaningful connections with mentees.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

What can I do to be a better mentor? In Season 5, Ashley & Sophia invite guests from local organizations and affiliate partners to discuss MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide: Strategies to Be There for Young People. This guide is a free resource written by experts, and it benefits any adult looking to support young people and is full of real-world advice and tangible, evidence-based strategies. If you’re looking to be a better mentor and strengthen your relationships with the young people in your life, look no further! Season 5 is just for you!

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework

If you listened to our first episode this season, you know that the second leading cause of death in people ages 10-34 is suicide. In this episode, our guest Laurie Barnett Levine, Licensed Social Worker and Chief Executive Officer at Mental Health America of Southwestern PA, talks about the climbing rates of suicide as a result of the COVID pandemic and how Mental Health America of SWPA is responding to this crisis.

Laurie also discusses the long term impacts the pandemic will have on access of mental health services and the workforce. When you’re done listening, make sure to visit mhaswpa.org to learn more about the programs and services Mental Health America of SWPA has to offer including, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Awareness Training.

If you or a loved one has thoughts of suicide, we encourage you to reach out for support by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988.

Additional Resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Callers are routed to the nearest accredited crisis center based on their location.

Crisis Resolve

Everyone experiences moments of crisis in life. You might be struggling with depression or substance abuse. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by problems at work, feeling lonely, or having a conflict with a loved one. Whether your problem is large or small, talking with someone can help. Most of all, don’t wait for a problem to get out of control. Just call resolve Crisis Services for help at 1-888-796-8226.

Trevor Project

866-488-7386
National organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment

UpStreet Pittsburgh

UpStreet is a free teen mental wellness program that offers drop-in consultations with therapists, scheduled therapy appointments, text-based peer support, and support groups for teens.

Dr. Elizabeth Joy, CEO & Founder of JoySociety, chats with us about her research and theory…Success as a Protector Factor. You might be surprised at what Dr. Elizabeth Joy uncovered in her research! In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Joy talks about redefining and reimagining success as something more holistic to help mentors and caring adults, be intentional in supporting young people beyond career and financial “success”. We hope you enjoy this chat as much as we did!

Additional Resources:

JoySociety.com

This is a special episode of Mentor Chat where we are talking with young people directly. As caring adults, sometimes we think we know what’s best for young people, but without including them in the conversation and recognizing them as experts of their lives, do we really have their best interest at heart? In this episode, three young people share their thoughts and feelings about the topic of youth mental health, specifically how adults can offer support through listening and elevating their voice. We are also joined by Sarah Pesi and Deborah Murdock from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation who created a forum for teens to advocate for addressing mental health as a part of health.

Additional Resources:

PA Youth Advocacy Network

Sign up for TMP’s Everyday Mentoring Tips!

Our guests, Nicole Homerin and Kristin Humphrey, from Partners for Youth with Disabilities share the importance of accessibility (specifically disability accessibility) when it comes to supporting youth mental health and wellbeing. This episode is loaded with information and resources on how mentors and other caring adults can best support young people with disabilities. You will learn about the intersection of trauma and disability, universal design and the recognition of long COVID as a disability. Have your pen and note pad ready!

Additional Resources:

Partners for Youth with Disabilities

MENTOR’s Resources for Mentors around Race, Inclusion, and Cultural Respect

Mentor’s Celebrating Disability Inclusion

National Disability Mentoring Coalition Disability Mentoring Certification

CPI Trauma Handout

Ableism and Racism: Roots of the Same Tree Podcast with Ibram X. Kendi and Rebecca Coakley

Youth Mental Health Resource Guide

In this episode of Mentor Chat, guest Dr. Stephanie Romero, Executive Director of Awaken Pittsburgh, chats with Michelle & Ashley about her personal mindfulness & meditation practices and how it changed the trajectory of her career. She is now inspiring educators, students, healthcare professionals and organizations to reduce stress and seek clarity in their daily lives.  

Additional Resources:

www.awakenpittsburgh.org

Breath Counting Guided Meditation

www.nationalcouncil.org

https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app

We are excited to kick off this season of Mentor Chat with guest Misty Woody, Chief Development Officer at Allegheny Family Network. Allegheny Family Network delivers services through individual parent-to-parent support, support groups, parent education opportunities, the Parent Support Line, and social events. In this episode, Misty takes a deep dive into the services and resources that are available through the network, but, more importantly, shares an aspiring story of hope and recovery! 

This is a very informative episode for parents and guardians, especially those who have lived experience of raising a child with mental health or behavioral health concerns. We invite you to listen in and share with others!

Additional Resources:

Allegheny Family Network

Allegheny Family Network Parent Support Line 1-888-273-2361

PA Parent and Family Alliance Emotional Safety Plan for Parents