When DCPC Youth returns after a break for Christmas and New Years, we are going to be exploring the intersection of faith and mental health during the month of January. A recent study on Gen Z and mental health by Springtide Research found two critical statistics about the state of mental health for 13-25 year olds:
Statistics like these can often fall into the realm of fearmongering, but I am going to propose that we use them towards another purpose: hopemongering.
As a faith community who is charged with caring for the young people in our midst, there’s no way we can ignore these statistics. Our intention with with engaging anxiety and suicide is to create safe and brave spaces for students to be open about their struggles, to give and receive support, and to ultimately shrink that 61% as they create lines of communication with their small group leaders. None of us are mental health professionals, but for thousands of years the Christian community has taken seriously what the Apostle Paul encouraged Christ’s followers: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). In doing so we know we are seen and loved and the fruit of that is hope.
Resources for Parents
- Seen: Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teenagers and the Power of Connection (book) – This accessible and quick read gives parents and other caring adults an understanding of where despair comes from, how we can recognize it, and what we can do about it. The authors are a counselor and youth pastor and weave their faith into the content in a hopeful way.
- “Post-Pandemic Reentry for Teens With Social Anxiety” (article) – Social anxiety is increasing dramatically in teenagers and this quick article is helpful for parents of kids who are fearing social situations.
- “6 Ways to Parent a Child with a Mental Health Challenge” (article) – Look for changes in behaviors, talk openly, practice patience, show them they are loved and valued, educate yourself, and seek professional help
- “3 Things that Support Gen Z Mental Health” (article) – Conversations with friends, religious and spiritual belief and practice, and hitting unsubscribe on grind culture
- Parent Resources for Suicide – A collection of resources for DCPC parents
Schedule for January
Youth Group starts with dinner at 5:30 pm and programming is 6-7 pm. Here’s what the focus will be for each Sunday in January:
| Date | Middle School | High School |
| 1/8 | Big & Small Groups: Anxiety | Connecting in small groups |
| 1/15 | Connecting in small groups | Big & Small Groups: Anxiety* |
| 1/22 | Big & Small Groups: Suicide | QPR Training (see below) |
| 1/29 | QPR Training (see below) | Big & Small Groups: Suicide |
* – A guest speaker will be leading Big Group, Caroline Bundesman, a licensed therapist practicing in Charlotte.
QPR Training
Over the years we have heard from several students that a friend has confided in them that they are thinking about suicide. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a nationwide program that will be led by trained members of Davidson LifeLine that gives students the knowledge and skills of what to do when in that situation. This is another way we can create open lines of communication about suicide and bring light onto a dark topic. More information on QPR can be found here.
Questions or Concerns?
These are big topics and if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out by email to Matt (mwiggins@dcpc.org). DCPC is here to support our families and ready to offer help.
DCPC Youth 