Angst movie
Teens have more stressors in their lives than ever before. Peer pressure, harassment, or fear of family separation. Some living on the edge of poverty. And most frightening, the term “active shooter” is now in their lexicon with drills on how to respond to an armed person on campus. This on top of their regular school work, and heading to graduation whether collage bound or not.
By Cheryl Cabot
The cause of all this stress? Fiona Reimers, Adult/Teen Services Librarian, met with her teen advisory board, about ten members strong, and asked them, “What kind of health issues are out there?
“They responded very honestly,” Riemers said, “anxiety and depression and everything that comes along with that. Sleep deprivation, weight loss, weight gain to list a few, as a root of depression and anxiety.”
“To address this health issue, Pam Petievich and Irene Chapman of Friends of the San Gabriel Library applied for a grant to help teens and parents navigate through this difficult time with a program called “Addressing Teen Stress Through Community Action.”
A $5,000 grant was awarded by the San Gabriel Community Foundation’s 2018 Healthy Community Grants Program.
“Angst” film screening
The first part of this extensive program begins on November 15 with a showing of the documentary, “Angst,” at Gabrielino High School at the Gary Goodson Theater. It is a 56-minute film and virtual reality experience that explores anxiety, its causes, effects and what we can do about it. It will be shown to students during the school day with counselors available for discussion. This viewing is for students only.
Riemers said:
I first saw the movie at Westridge High School and I really liked it. I felt if we could show it here at the library or at Gabrielino we would be doing a real service to the community. Teens know this is an issue that can be talked about.
“Following the showing there will be a peer group available in classrooms for any students that want to talk about the movie if it triggers any type of discussion,” Riemers said.
In the evening, “Angst” will be shown for the public, free of charge, also at the Gary Goodson Theatre at 7 p.m.. Following the film, a panel of councilors and therapists will lead discussions and answer submitted questions.
The panel, moderated by Riemers, will include Denise Ledesma, San Gabriel District Social Worker, Gilbert Magana, SGPD Mental Health Evaluation Team and Hoa Nguyen, LMFT, and Team Supervisor from Asian Pacific Family Center.
In the lobby of the Goodson Theatre there will be information tables set up by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Asian Pacific Family Center.
“What we really want is to open dialogue so the kids can talk to their parents,” said Amy Cheung von Haam of Friends of the Library.
Produced by IndieFlicks, this is not a public movie and is not in movie theaters. It is only being shown by organizations such as the library to educate and specifically target youth audiences, and for now, only shown in schools.
Julie Sorensen, Manager of the San Gabriel Library, said:
The community action part…ties in the library staff, the Friends of the Library, the City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Unified School District. It is a really good collaboration.
“Addressing Teen Stress Through Community Action” banner (Photo – Cheryl Cabot)
Just the beginning
The showing of “Angst” is just the beginning. For the next few months the library will roll out additional programs funded by the grant.
The library will be working with the Del Mar continuation high school providing them with the book “I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.” It deals with suicide and mental illness.
“The grant provides the books to the Del Mar students, which they can keep, and then doing some type of project, writing or art, in response to the book. The projects will be displayed in the library along with a reception,” Sorenson said.
The book will also be available at Gabrielino from the student councilor and in the teen section of the San Gabriel library. In addition, therapeutic books and materials will be purchased for use by Gabrielino and Del Mar therapists and interns when servicing the mental health needs of students during individual and group settings.
Art Time for Teens and Mindfulness Zone
Beginning in early 2019, “Art Time for Teens” will be held in the library with purchased art materials such as canvas, paints and brushes. An art therapist will be hired to maximize the effects of art and music on stress reduction.
“A series of ‘Yoga for Teens’ sessions will be conducted at the Library by a local teen yoga instructor. Through breathing exercises and short meditations, as well as yoga poses, the teens will learn to focus inward, in order to get more in touch with themselves,” as stated in the grant proposal.
The teen area in the library will be transformed into a “Mindfulness Zone,” offering visual reminders providing clues for teens to use their learned mindfulness strategies. New books and materials will also be displayed in this area.
Friends of the Library is making the most of the Healthy Community Grant by providing all these materials and programs for the public, free of charge, through the San Gabriel Library.
> If you would like to support Friends of the Library or have any questions about the upcoming programs, you can contact the San Gabriel Library at 626.287.0761.
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