At the start of a new year, many of us reflect on how to improve our physical and spiritual health, but we often neglect the importance of our mental wellbeing.  Mental health is essential for all, especially young people.  And as parents, it is important that we know how to recognize the signs when something is wrong with our children and do regular check ins with them on their emotional well-being even if we see nothing is wrong.  According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have or will have a serious mental illness.  Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental illnesses in kids and it can be challenging to communicate with a child who struggles with anxiety and/or depression, but it is vital for caregivers to try.

Music is a powerful tool that gospel artists and musicians use to praise God, express our emotions, and bring comfort to people, including those who might be struggling. Through the use of music in the church, we are able to express our emotions, heal, and find peace. Gospel artists and musicians understand the importance of vocalizing emotion to help others in times of distress. Music has the ability to soothe the soul and bring joy to those in need of comfort.  By using gospel music as a tool, we can connect with each other on a deeper level and spread joy in times of difficulty.

This podcast will help educate parents and provide valuable resources, including ones from the Ad Council’s Sound It Out campaign. It will also include real-life stories shared by Pastor JJ Hairston and show how he and his family have worked through their daughter’s challenges with mental health. Furthermore, he will share more about his new album, his new church building, and how his church and others are helping those that struggle with mental health issues. We will also feature Dr. Coralanne Griffith-Hunte to help educate the community on mental health and share resources parents can utilize to help them have better conversations with their children about their emotional wellbeing. It’s important to reinforce the importance of checking in with our kids when they aren’t (or don’t seem to be) struggling as well.