Youth mental health: Teaching (and learning) empathy

What roles do empathy and compassion play in our ability to have healthy relationships? And what does it look like to apply those concepts to oneself?On this episode of School’s In, hosts Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope welcome Stanford Psychology Professor Jamil Zaki to discuss compassion, empathy, and what our perceptions of the world say about us. Zaki touches on several related matters, including:The science of self compassion and its effect on mental healthHow schools and communities can develop empathy in young people and encourage them to practice itTools for cooperation and collaboration in the midst of divisionHow cynicism reflects bias, rather than wisdom, and why it helps to be hopefulProfessor Jamil Zaki’s research examines the neuroscience behind decision making, self regulation, social cognition, and perception, among other social and behavioral functions. He is also the principal investigator for the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, which studies the cognitive bases of social behaviors. To learn more about his research, visit his faculty profile.If you or someone you know is struggling with their emotional health, the National Institute of Mental Health lists resources on their webpage.School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and enlightening conversations in education. Presented by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), School’s In is hosted by GSE Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope. They invite you to join them as they navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education and discuss the latest research in teaching and learning.Stanford GSE is a leader in education research and teaching, known for its commitment to pursuing equitable, accessible, and effective learning for all. To keep up with our research, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.