Making Caring Common

Educators: Why are half the students in your school dressed as characters from “KPop Demon Hunters” this Halloween?

Because it’s the most-watched English-language film in Netflix history. AND because it’s sparking essential conversations about identity, emotions, and connection.

Now MCC has just released “Darkness & Harmony” — a FREE lesson series that uses “KPop Demon Hunters” to help students deepen connection with themselves and others.

Learn more and download today! → https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-educators/darkness-and-harmony-lesson-series

Are you a school counselor currently working on your school profile?

Join us next week for a free webinar to learn about recent research conducted on the school profile, as well as practical suggestions and concrete tools for building effective school profiles.

Together, we'll review a set of new, free tools developed by Making Caring Common for creating the school profile. → https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/whats-new/building-the-school-profile-2025

Richard Weissbourd, Director of Making Caring Common, recently spoke with Harvard University Gazette about the findings in MCC's 2023 report on mental health challenges among 18- to 25-year-olds. Specifically, they discuss how young people's fears about the world around them may be leading to them take fewer risks in life.

Why are young people taking fewer risks? — Harvard Gazette Ed School psychologist describes a generation overparented — but also overwhelmed by a “frightening world.”

Register now! On May 29 at 7pm EDT, we’ll be hosting a free virtual event with Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, in conversation with Kiran Bhai, Schools & Parenting Program Director at Making Caring Common and Dr. Richard Weissbourd, Faculty Director of Making Caring Common. Together, they’ll discuss how parents, caregivers, educators, and others can help teens (and themselves) create intentional gatherings and rituals that foster strong relationships, meaningful connection and a sense of belonging.

If you’re a parent, educator, or someone connected with young people, we think you’ll love this event, part of MCC’s celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Registration is now open, and space is limited, so RSVP now to reserve your spot and receive the Zoom link.

https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MkZplszRTRKd3SUTOHHbJA #/registration

Research and experience show: Helping young people and adults experience strong, caring relationships and meaningful activities are key to preventing mental health struggles.

All throughout May, MCC is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with content, resources, and an end-of-month virtual event (with an exciting special guest!) for parents, educators, and others connected with young people.

Make sure to follow us here + sign up for our email newsletter for the latest information.

https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/email

Richard Weissbourd, Director of Making Caring Common, recently appeared on TED's “How to Be a Better Human” podcast. In the episode, he provides a distillation of his unique point of view and Making Caring Common’s mission. The conversation, hosted by Chris Duffy, also provides thoughtful, practical advice for parents and those how care for children and young people.



https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-be-a-better-human/id1544098624?i=1000700539271

Did you miss last week's Harvard Graduate School of Education EdNow event featuring Milena Batanova, Director of Research & Evaluation for Making Caring Common?

Milena joined host Josephine Kim and fellow guests Allison Gilbert and Eric Wood to explore recent research about the causes of loneliness, including the link between loneliness and mental health challenges.

Watch now → https://buff.ly/u7MoF16

Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness Education Now explores new research digging into the underlying causes of loneliness and discusses solutions

As we come to the end of Black History Month, please consider how, as an educator, parent, or caregiver, you can continue to incorporate teaching Black history to young people. A great place to start: Facing History & Ourselves and their resource, "Reflecting on Amanda Gorman's 'The Hill We Climb.'" → https://buff.ly/3XptyKZ

Reflecting on Amanda Gorman's "The Hill We Climb" Use these activities to help students reflect on the themes in Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Day poem and consider how their unique experiences and voices can help America “forge a union with purpose.”

How can educators confront the U.S. epidemic of loneliness and mitigate its risks for individuals and society? This Thursday, join MCC’s Milena Batanova as she joins an incredible panel at Harvard Graduate School of Education latest Education Now virtual event, “Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness.”

The panelists will dig into new research investigating underlying causes, including the relationship between mental health challenges and loneliness, as well as share ideas for addressing loneliness on college campuses and in other communities.

Register today! https://buff.ly/41bV6V5

Are digital devices helping children combat loneliness? Or are they contributing to it?

Milena Batanova, Making Caring Common's Director of Research & Evaluation, will join other researchers and child psychologists next week in a free Zoom webinar to discuss how the experience of loneliness has evolved for children and adolescents in the world of digital platforms and mobile devices.

Reserve your spot today for the hashtag webinar “Growing Up Lonely? Child Connection and Isolation in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, February 26 at 12 PM ET, hosted by Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. → https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717379837298/WN_0U7gHW98QFeY6kVTNIU-JA #/registration

An excerpt from our January email newsletter. Want to receive our most recent research and resources directly in your inbox? Sign up for our monthly newsletter. https://buff.ly/42pRdy4