Before They Break: GNWY on Mental Health, Purpose & Hope

Some students are carrying pain they do not yet have words for. They may not know if they are angry, sad, scared, overwhelmed, or simply tired. They just know something feels off. And too often, the adults around them rush to correct behavior before they understand what is underneath it. In this episode of Voices of OKC, Jed Chappell sits down with Jordan Miller and Stuart Bennett from Generation Why, a mental health advocacy team serving students through school assemblies, creative arts, mentorship, media, internships, and purpose-driven programming. Generation Why speaks in schools about mental health, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention. But what makes their work powerful is not only the message. It is the way they deliver it. They use rap, spoken word, dance, live painting, DJing, photography, videography, and storytelling to create an environment where heavy conversations can become a little easier to enter. Jordan shares why vulnerability is central to the work. Stuart talks about the importance of asking better questions and giving students time to answer. Together, they describe what it means to meet young people where they are, help them name what they are feeling, and show them that there are more options than the obstacles in front of them. This conversation is about mental health. It is about purpose. It is about mentorship. And it is about the kind of adults young people need in the room. Not perfect adults. Present adults. In This Episode Jed, Jordan, and Stuart talk about: Generation Why’s mission and school-based work Mental Health Awareness Month Anti-bullying and suicide prevention Why creative arts help open up hard conversations The power of asking students “why” and waiting for the answer Healthy vulnerability in mentorship The WHY Lead program at John Marshall How people can volunteer, sponsor schools, pray, give, and share the work Why students need mentors who help them see more options for their future Links Mentioned Generation Why: https://www.pursueyourwhy.org/ Donate to Generation Why: https://www.pursueyourwhy.org/ Generation Why Instagram: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-health-breakthroughs-for-young-adults-families/id1653016005 Urban Bridge: https://www.urbanbridge.org/ Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County: https://www.bgcokc.org/ John Marshall High School / OKCPS: https://www.okcps.org/ Chicken N Pickle OKC: https://chickennpickle.com/oklahoma-city/ City Center: https://okcitycenter.org About Voices of OKC Voices of OKC is a podcast from City Center featuring thoughtful conversations with people helping shape Oklahoma City through leadership, service, creativity, restoration, and hope. Learn more about City Center: https://okcitycenter.org