2024 "FOCUS ON YOUTH":
FEATURED EMERGING COMMUNITY LEADER
Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate Kaitlyn Kelly Helps
Youth Nurture Real Connections and Navigate Universal Challenges
Photo Courtesy: Kaitlyn Kelly
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Kaitlyn Elizabeth Kelly is the 20-year-old co-founder of PositiviTeens® Workshops. As a young teen in 2018, Kaitlyn was personally impacted by a high school shooting in her childhood hometown of Parkland, Florida. That day, she witnessed, through live social media feeds, the unfolding violence upon friends and former neighbors while she sat in her school one town over. The secondary trauma of bearing witness to violence via unfiltered social media, as well as the developmental cost of violence depicted in consumer entertainment platforms, inspired her to take action.
Addressing the psychosocial impact of violence, depersonalization, bullying and negativity that permeates social media on today’s youth was in response to the Parkland tragedy. Kaitlyn and her mother, Sherry Kelly, Ph.D., developed an empowering program of positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral strategies to not only support and educate students, teachers and parents, but to also provide evidence-based interventions to promote greater emotional resilience. The effects of digital technology on teen culture, communication, and relationships is one of the timely topics covered in the PositiviTeens® workshops and webinars. Kaitlyn has co-presented PositiviTeens webinars to audiences in the USA, Japan, Australia, U.K. and China. She is a content creator and featured presenter, for Meaningful Paths LTD (U.K.). Kaitlyn attends the University of Notre Dame, seeking a major in global affairs and a minor in entrepreneurship. At Notre Dame, she conducts research with the Eck Institute of Global Health, is a student affiliate at the Klau Institute for Civil & Human Rights, and is a member of the Pre-Law student board. |
Proud Sponsor of 2024 FOCUS ON YOUTH:
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"People in my generation or younger fear deep conversations, and we don’t really know how to have them. And when we can’t have these conversations, we can’t normalize the stresses and anxieties we are experiencing." ~ Kaitlyn Kelly |
Jillian Crocetta, a regular contributor for Sanctuary and assistant editor for this special issue, spoke with Kaitlyn about her work with PositiviTeens, what she has learned from peers throughout the globe, and her plans for the future.
You and your mother co-founded PositiviTeens. Can you talk a little bit about its inception?
I grew up 20 minutes away from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where in 2018, there was a mass school shooting. After this tragedy, we began to notice that throughout the community a huge emphasis was being placed on gun reform — and rightfully so — but the topic of the mental health of those affected by the shooting was neglected. My mom, a clinical neuropsychologist, and I knew students that attended Parkland’s high school, and we started hosting local discussions about trauma coping mechanisms. The community was receptive, and then during the COVID-19 pandemic, my mom and I did more programming over Zoom. Then, we quickly started speaking to people around the world over Zoom.
You and your mother co-founded PositiviTeens. Can you talk a little bit about its inception?
I grew up 20 minutes away from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where in 2018, there was a mass school shooting. After this tragedy, we began to notice that throughout the community a huge emphasis was being placed on gun reform — and rightfully so — but the topic of the mental health of those affected by the shooting was neglected. My mom, a clinical neuropsychologist, and I knew students that attended Parkland’s high school, and we started hosting local discussions about trauma coping mechanisms. The community was receptive, and then during the COVID-19 pandemic, my mom and I did more programming over Zoom. Then, we quickly started speaking to people around the world over Zoom.
You’ve presented to audiences across the country and the world. What was the reception to your webinars in different states and countries?
My mom and I started to notice that our strongest webinars were the most diverse, with intercontinental participants or even participants from all over the country. These opened our eyes to how similar everyone’s struggles were post-COVID. It helped participants realize that people [from all different walks of life] have the same thoughts and struggles as they do. We design a lot of our exercises around open conversations, and we use the chat feature on Zoom as well, so participants can [express themselves by typing their thoughts]. When participants start to realize that the 20 or so other people in the Zoom session share the same struggles, they really start to open up.
My mom and I started to notice that our strongest webinars were the most diverse, with intercontinental participants or even participants from all over the country. These opened our eyes to how similar everyone’s struggles were post-COVID. It helped participants realize that people [from all different walks of life] have the same thoughts and struggles as they do. We design a lot of our exercises around open conversations, and we use the chat feature on Zoom as well, so participants can [express themselves by typing their thoughts]. When participants start to realize that the 20 or so other people in the Zoom session share the same struggles, they really start to open up.
During these workshops, you teach students powerful strategies to cope with the negativity we see in the world. Was there anything that your audiences were able to teach you? What have you learned from participants?
I learned that having open dialogue is a really good coping mechanism. I don’t think we were having as many face-to-face conversations or phone conversations before the pandemic, but the aftermath of the pandemic took this to the next level. People in my generation or younger fear deep conversations, and we don’t really know how to have them. And when we can’t have these conversations, we can’t normalize the stresses and anxieties we are experiencing. Knowing that you’re not alone is so important, and I’ve come to realize this.
I learned that having open dialogue is a really good coping mechanism. I don’t think we were having as many face-to-face conversations or phone conversations before the pandemic, but the aftermath of the pandemic took this to the next level. People in my generation or younger fear deep conversations, and we don’t really know how to have them. And when we can’t have these conversations, we can’t normalize the stresses and anxieties we are experiencing. Knowing that you’re not alone is so important, and I’ve come to realize this.
On your website, “choosing happiness” and “emotional resilience” are two goals of the workshops. How would you define these terms, and how do they intersect?
Happiness is a byproduct of emotional resilience. We can always build our emotional resilience. But, to clarify, emotional resilience doesn’t mean brushing off your emotions. Rather, it means engaging directly with them, extracting them, and really taking the time to understand what they may be telling you. The strategies we give in our webinars is a way to build emotional resilience and emotional cognizance, which go hand-in-hand. In turn, understanding our emotions leads to increased levels of happiness.
Happiness is a byproduct of emotional resilience. We can always build our emotional resilience. But, to clarify, emotional resilience doesn’t mean brushing off your emotions. Rather, it means engaging directly with them, extracting them, and really taking the time to understand what they may be telling you. The strategies we give in our webinars is a way to build emotional resilience and emotional cognizance, which go hand-in-hand. In turn, understanding our emotions leads to increased levels of happiness.
Can you talk a little bit about social media’s impact on the emotional resilience of today’s teenagers?
When we go on social media, we immediately start to compare, and this fuels high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
In our webinars, my mom and I emphasize how social media physically changes the chemistry in our brains. When we scroll through social media, we are making very short-term decisions, like ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ ‘up’ or ‘down,’ and ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Our brains aren’t practicing making hard decisions, so we are training our brains to be reactionary rather than evaluative.
Because there is so much uncertainty in this world, even outside of social media, we have to be purpose-driven in the way we cope. My mom and I talk about the SPIRE method in our webinars, which was developed by the Wholebeing Institute. SPIRE stands for spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional. Using the SPIRE method, you create a chart that has one column for each letter, with the purpose being to write down how you are functioning in each of these areas. It allows you to slow down and take your mental health seriously. And once the chart is complete, you will see which areas you may need more support in. I find that teens are often heavily loaded in the intellectual and relational sides but are not nurturing themselves enough in the other pillars of well-being.
When we go on social media, we immediately start to compare, and this fuels high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
In our webinars, my mom and I emphasize how social media physically changes the chemistry in our brains. When we scroll through social media, we are making very short-term decisions, like ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ ‘up’ or ‘down,’ and ‘left’ or ‘right.’ Our brains aren’t practicing making hard decisions, so we are training our brains to be reactionary rather than evaluative.
Because there is so much uncertainty in this world, even outside of social media, we have to be purpose-driven in the way we cope. My mom and I talk about the SPIRE method in our webinars, which was developed by the Wholebeing Institute. SPIRE stands for spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional. Using the SPIRE method, you create a chart that has one column for each letter, with the purpose being to write down how you are functioning in each of these areas. It allows you to slow down and take your mental health seriously. And once the chart is complete, you will see which areas you may need more support in. I find that teens are often heavily loaded in the intellectual and relational sides but are not nurturing themselves enough in the other pillars of well-being.
What are some of the biggest takeaways you hope your different audiences leave with?
Track how much time you are spending on your phone. The average teen spends around one full day a week, roughly around 24 hours, on social media. That’s a seventh of your life. Cutting down your screen time will give you so much time back and will positively affect your mental health.
Also, schedule time to spend with friends. Having things on your schedule will give you something to look forward to, and spending time with friends will strengthen your connections, making you feel less lonely.
Lastly, be proactive. Take the time to think about what you can do to mitigate the anxieties you are experiencing and take it step by step. With each step, you come closer to achieving the goal of mitigating stress.
Track how much time you are spending on your phone. The average teen spends around one full day a week, roughly around 24 hours, on social media. That’s a seventh of your life. Cutting down your screen time will give you so much time back and will positively affect your mental health.
Also, schedule time to spend with friends. Having things on your schedule will give you something to look forward to, and spending time with friends will strengthen your connections, making you feel less lonely.
Lastly, be proactive. Take the time to think about what you can do to mitigate the anxieties you are experiencing and take it step by step. With each step, you come closer to achieving the goal of mitigating stress.
Kaitlyn Moderating the 9th Annual Notre Dame Global Health Case Competition After Winning Last Year’s Competition
Photo Courtesy: Kaitlyn Kelly
Photo Courtesy: Kaitlyn Kelly
Does the advocacy work you do for PositiviTeens intersect with your current studies at the University of Notre Dame?
It definitely does. I am a global affairs major at Notre Dame, with a minor in entrepreneurship. Starting this business with my mom and building my entrepreneurial skills before I went into college has helped me in my studies. And my classes have taught me about the business model side of things, like tips on marketing, hosting webinars, networking, and how to be a confident public speaker.
My global affairs major is teaching me the importance of effective communication, especially when you are interacting with people that don’t speak the same language as you. We talk about Integral Human Development (IHD) in my global affairs courses, a theory that states that in order to make global policies effective, you must understand the people you are working with and the context in which they are living. Though we are not doing policy work, we use this concept to adjust our presentation for different audiences to best convey our message.
It definitely does. I am a global affairs major at Notre Dame, with a minor in entrepreneurship. Starting this business with my mom and building my entrepreneurial skills before I went into college has helped me in my studies. And my classes have taught me about the business model side of things, like tips on marketing, hosting webinars, networking, and how to be a confident public speaker.
My global affairs major is teaching me the importance of effective communication, especially when you are interacting with people that don’t speak the same language as you. We talk about Integral Human Development (IHD) in my global affairs courses, a theory that states that in order to make global policies effective, you must understand the people you are working with and the context in which they are living. Though we are not doing policy work, we use this concept to adjust our presentation for different audiences to best convey our message.
Can you tell me more about your work for Meaningful Paths (both as a content creator and featured presenter)? How has this experience been similar or different to your work with PositiviTeens?
My work for Meaningful Paths is often more indirect as compared to presenting webinars, but the material is very similar. At Meaningful Paths, I am packaging content together, whether it be articles or some online coursework that I’ve helped the content creators with. Meaningful Paths puts a lot of what we teach on a different platform. We still connect on Zoom with Dave Chorlton, the founder of Meaningful Paths, to brainstorm and share ideas.
My work for Meaningful Paths is often more indirect as compared to presenting webinars, but the material is very similar. At Meaningful Paths, I am packaging content together, whether it be articles or some online coursework that I’ve helped the content creators with. Meaningful Paths puts a lot of what we teach on a different platform. We still connect on Zoom with Dave Chorlton, the founder of Meaningful Paths, to brainstorm and share ideas.
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Are you hopeful for a future guided by positivity? What steps do you think we need to take as a society to get there?
I think that there is hope, and it starts with adolescents. I don’t think we understood the damage of growing up with an iPad in our hands until very recently, but within the last ten years or so, I think we have been more careful about articulating the negative impacts of technological innovation. If we are able to collaborate with and relate to those younger than us, generations after us will want to learn how to curb the negative impacts of social media. It is all about touching the right audience and continuing to pass the message on to generations after us. Did you always see yourself having a career in the mental health space, and do you plan to continue to pursue a career in mental health? I honestly did not. When I turned 16, though, my mom and I started to have more conversations about topics like mental health, and I started to realize that I also had a passion for mental health advocacy. I don’t see myself doing anything hands-on, like my dad, who is a reconstructive surgeon, but I do want to go to law school. I see mental health research being a pivotal part of what I do, just more so on the litigation side. I am passionate about getting people access to the health care that they deserve, and I try to get involved where I can on campus with mental health research. Right now, I am doing a research project with the Eck Institute of Global Health at the local library in South Bend, Indiana, on how redesigning programming can impact the mental health of young children and their mothers. |
Kaitlyn Working on Capitol Hill as a Summer Intern in the U.S. Senate
Photo Courtesy: Kaitlyn Kelly |
Do you have any advice for young women who want to make a difference?
Nothing is too small, and nothing is too big either. It’s important, especially for women, to know that, though you may hear criticism or doubt from others. By starting with small steps and surrounding yourself with a strong network of women, you can begin to achieve your goals. I think women supporting women is vital for our success.
Who are some of your female mentors?
This summer, I am a legislative intern in the Florida Senate, and the women I’ve met while interning are so inspiring. There are so many young women behind the scenes in politics that don’t get enough credit for what they do. It is so important for women to support each other, especially in areas like politics, which have been historically male-dominated. These women are working to make the country a better place and are trying to inspire the next generation of women to do the same. Their work has shown me that I can make a difference, too.
Nothing is too small, and nothing is too big either. It’s important, especially for women, to know that, though you may hear criticism or doubt from others. By starting with small steps and surrounding yourself with a strong network of women, you can begin to achieve your goals. I think women supporting women is vital for our success.
Who are some of your female mentors?
This summer, I am a legislative intern in the Florida Senate, and the women I’ve met while interning are so inspiring. There are so many young women behind the scenes in politics that don’t get enough credit for what they do. It is so important for women to support each other, especially in areas like politics, which have been historically male-dominated. These women are working to make the country a better place and are trying to inspire the next generation of women to do the same. Their work has shown me that I can make a difference, too.
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