THE ROAD MAP

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

🚦 First stop (Skateparks and mental health)

🛤️ Site-seeing at mylemarks.com (Freebie: My Goal Garden )

📣 A word from Huel

📡 On the Radar (Benign neglect, gaming addiction, and more)

📅 Mark your calendars (Important dates to know)

🤗 Sharing is Caring (spread the mylemarker love and earn)

Let’s go!

FIRST STOP

🛹 Skateparks as Mental Health Havens

In the face of the youth mental health crisis, skateparks are emerging as unexpected community hubs for emotional support and connection. Frank “The Tank” Watkins, a longtime skater and psychology graduate student, calls skateparks his “sanctuary” and highlights how they bring together people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Teaming up with clinical psychologist Adam Brown, Watkins co-founded The Skate Mind Project, an initiative providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for skaters. These trainings equip participants with tools to recognize distress, engage in supportive conversations, and guide individuals to professional care when needed.

“What we’re trying to do is increase access to care through the training of non-mental health specialists,” Brown says, emphasizing that this doesn’t replace professionals but fills gaps in accessibility.

The Skate Mind Project has already gained momentum with its first training sessions, which paired skaters for exercises on PFA’s core tenets: Look, listen, and link. Veteran skater Jon “Porkchop” Nicholson reflects on its potential impact, sharing that the skating world has lost many to suicide and addiction. “Even though skating is communal, skateboarders are also loners,” he says. Efforts like these could offer crucial support for navigating emotions and building healthier coping mechanisms, creating a culture that promotes well-being on and off the board.

SITE-SEEING at mylemarks.com

My Goal Garden - Turn goals into achievable (colorful) steps

The New Year is a wonderful time for children to reflect on their aspirations and work towards meaningful goals. My Goal Garden is a therapeutic tool designed to help kids break down their big goals into smaller, manageable steps. By writing their goal in the center of a flower and filling the petals with mini-goals, children can visually track their progress as they color in each petal. This activity supports skill-building in perseverance, self-management, and fostering a growth mindset—essential tools for growth and success in the year ahead.

Additional New Year Resources

Our New Year’s printables are a great way to help children reflect on the past year and set positive intentions for the year ahead.

• My Year in Review

• My Year in PRE-view

• My New Year’s Goal

• New Years Word Search

• Changes [Teen]

Coming Soon: My Self-Care Work-through-Book

Help kids build healthy habits and develop a deeper understanding of self-care with our upcoming resource, My Self-Care Work-through-Book. This guided activity book will empower children to explore what self-care means for their mind, body, and emotions while offering practical tools to integrate it into their daily lives. Stay tuned! Check out our other work-through-books here!

A Word from Huel

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ON THE RADAR

 🌱 Can Some Traumas Actually Boost Health?

A recent study from the University of Wisconsin–Madison explores the surprising idea that certain types of trauma might have positive long-term effects on health. Researchers found that experiencing moderate levels of adversity, such as challenges in childhood or young adulthood, can lead to greater resilience and improved coping skills later in life. These findings suggest that overcoming difficulties may equip individuals with tools to manage stress and adversity, potentially reducing health risks like chronic illnesses. However, the study emphasizes that this benefit is not universal and depends on the type and severity of the trauma. Severe or repeated traumas are still strongly linked to negative health outcomes, including higher rates of mental health issues and physical conditions.

 🚺 Alarming Insights into Girls’ Confidence and Mental Health

A recent study paints a stark picture of the struggles faced by girls in today’s world. Surveying over 17,000 girls from fifth to 12th grade, it revealed that 67% of girls hold back their thoughts or disagreements to be liked, with confidence levels dropping from 68% in 2017 to just 55% today. Even more concerning, 53% of girls report feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and two-thirds say their body image negatively impacts their self-esteem.

The study highlights how silencing girls’ voices in adolescence can have long-term implications, impacting their confidence, leadership aspirations, and participation in key areas of life. As Lisa Hinkelman, leader of the study, observes, “Every time a girl chooses not to speak up... we all lose her unique perspective, her creativity, and her potential solutions to problems.” She calls for supportive environments that foster resilience, critical thinking, and authentic self-expression, emphasizing that girls must feel their voices matter.

🤝 The Link Between “Benign Neglect” and Resilience

A recent article explores the concept of "benign neglect," a parenting approach that encourages children to navigate challenges and build independence without constant intervention. Experts stress that benign neglect doesn’t mean ignoring children but rather stepping back and letting them take the lead in certain situations. For example, letting children entertain themselves without screens or solve minor peer conflicts on their own can help build confidence and self-reliance. Research supports the approach, showing that children with room to figure things out often develop stronger coping skills and adaptability.

🎮 Gaming and Brain Development: What We Know About Addiction

A recent study featured on Neuroscience News delves into the potential effects of excessive gaming on neurodevelopment in children and teens. Researchers found that gaming addiction can disrupt key brain networks involved in impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation. The study highlights how gaming addiction may create an imbalance in the brain’s reward system, leading to an over-focus on gaming and difficulty engaging in other activities. This imbalance has been linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and attention issues. However, not all gaming is harmful. Moderate gaming, especially with boundaries in place, can have positive effects on problem-solving skills and teamwork.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Here are some upcoming dates you should know!

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20, 2025) – Commemorates the civil rights leader's life and legacy, promoting equal rights for all Americans. Browse Martin Luther King Jr. Resources and Crafts.

• International Day of Education (January 24) – Highlights the role of education in promoting peace and development worldwide.

• National Compliment Day (January 24) – Encourages the sharing of compliments to spread positivity and kindness.

• National Puzzle Day (January 29) – Celebrates the enjoyment and educational value of puzzles, promoting problem-solving and critical thinking skills.