As youth mental health continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons—depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation are all up, according to the U.S. Surgeon General—two Cleveland High School teachers in Southeast Portland have an idea about how to help: Teenagers should talk to each other. Without phones.
That’s the radical concept behind Teens Connect PDX (instagram.com/teensconnectpdx), a new program founded by science teacher Brian Fain and former Cleveland health teacher Gaye Chapman. Starting in September, Fain and Chapman plan to host three in-person talking circles weekly in the SolTerra building in Southeast Portland, where students will build community, share experiences and support each other. It’s not group therapy, more like a guided discussion, and fees will be on a sliding scale. Phones aren’t invited.
“It’s an important part of belonging and connection that’s missing right now, face to face,” Chapman says…