Mission: Reimagining school as allies, and social media as social health, providing tools for teaching youth and young adults healthy and affirming ways to connect with each other and the world, leading to vibrant relationships that support growth and development of a more compassionate and graceful society
Vision: Youth and young adults living in a state of physical, mental, and social wellness supported by healthy connections and interactions in the modern world.
Values: Empathy, Inclusivity, Authenticity, Well-being, Life-long learning.
The Team
The core idea of our work:
To address the rising challenges in youth, well-being, social connection, and the negative impact of technology on mental health. The initiative, a collaboration between Big Picture (BPL) and Kinnected LLC, aims to create a multi-school international pilot program. The key elements include individualized well-being learning plans for students, a social health platform (Kinnected) for personal and interpersonal conversations, and a shift toward reimagining schools and social media as allies in promoting healthy connections.
The main social problem:
This initiative seeks to address the escalating rates of social anxiety, loneliness, suicide, and depression among youth, both nationally and globally. The impact of this problem is profound, with studies revealing alarming trends, such as a significant increase in teenage girls reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and a rising number seriously considering self-harm or harming others. The persisting issue stems from the pervasive influence of social media, particularly platforms targeting youth for financial gain, at the expense of their current well-being and the development of healthy habits essential for adulthood. Additionally, the traditional school system's hyper-focus on academic performance, coupled with the increasing implementation of technology without sufficient guidance, further contributes to the disconnect, superficial encounters, and mental health challenges faced by younger students.
The strategy for scaling impact:
We project a phased approach, with the initial focus on a pilot program in 15-20 Big Picture schools in the United States and other countries. The plan includes preparing school systems and customizing the Kinnected platform in the first six months, followed by anchoring the platform in schools, personnel hiring, training, and implementation in the next six months. The aim is to create a robust, cross-cultural healthy ecosystem and social safety net for students, with a particular emphasis on tracking results related to self-care awareness, mental health, and peer support. The collaboration with Mathematica and potential involvement of experts like Karen Arnold or Jane Davidson underscores a commitment to a longitudinal case study with implications for global health. If successful in 5-10 years, the vision is to have a broader scope, with well-established and sustainable programs in schools globally, contributing to a significant positive shift in youth well-being, mental health, and healthy connections.