Be the Change - a challenge for teens this summer

On May 24, a bullied 18-year-old shot and killed 19 children and 2 teachers in a Texas elementary school. In Brazil, nearly four in every 1000 adolescents are murdered before the age of 19. Globally, one in seven teens experiences a mental disorder and is acting out by either hurting themselves or others around them.

Clearly, changes are needed.

We just wrapped up the Wellness Challenge for Teens Online Forum, where we looked into ways to boost teens’ mental health in various countries. We generated ideas ranging from conducting wellness workshops to launching self-care APPs. But is there something we can do RIGHT NOW as individuals?

President Obama said: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

If we think that bullying is a problem, if we think that people are selfish and narrow-minded, if we think violence and aggression are rampant... then what are we doing about it? Suffering and waiting for a therapy session is not the answer. Waiting for the system and the world to change is not the answer. Teens must empower themselves to BE the kind, open-minded and loving persons they want to see in their community.

The registration is open for teens to take this personal challenge this summer: Let's BE the change we seek to make it a kinder world.