Lessons with Dr. Colleen Cicchetti & Caryn Curry, Part 1 Artwork

Lessons in Adolescence

Join us in exploring the many facets of adolescence from the adverse, to the awkward, to the awesome! Host Jason Cascarino and his guests, including educators, researchers, developmental scientists, thought leaders, and other caring adults, tell us why middle school can and should be awesome.

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Lessons in Adolescence

Lessons with Dr. Colleen Cicchetti & Caryn Curry, Part 1

December 13, 2022 • Youth-Nex: Remaking Middle School • Season 3 • Episode 33

This episode features a conversation with Colleen Cicchetti and Caryn Curry from the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Colleen is the founder and long-time Executive Director of the nearly 20-year-old Center, focused on providing access to high0-quality mental health services for children and adolescents. Caryn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mental Health Consultant for CCR. A 30-year veteran in the field, Caryn provides training, consultation and expertise for schools and school systems as well as out-of-school community and youth-serving organizations to build the capacity of adult educators and care-givers around trauma-informed and healing centered systems and practices, a capacity that ultimately underpins effective teaching and learning and positive youth development.

In Part 1 of their conversation, Colleen, Caryn and Jason talk about the state of mental health among young people today, including the many societal forces affecting it, the origins of the Center for Childhood Resilience and the reasons for taking on the role of adult capacity building rather than direct student mental health services, and some of the the aspects of mental health specific to young adolescents.

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