Overcoming Social Anxiety | Marielle Cornes | TEDxYouth@MBJH

Summary

The speaker shares their personal struggle with social anxiety after moving to a new school, highlighting the difficulty of making friends and the impact on their mental health. They discuss the importance of seeking therapy and the challenges of dealing with a mental illness that is often misunderstood. The speech calls for community support and understanding, urging listeners to be kind and to recognize the potential for mental health issues in those around them.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The speaker moved from Baltimore to Mountain Brook before seventh grade, which was a significant change from a small private school to a new environment.
• 👥 Despite attending a small school, the speaker struggled to make friends due to social anxiety, which made social interactions terrifying and difficult.
• 😔 The move to Alabama was devastating for the speaker, as they feared the process of making friends would be as challenging as it was in their previous school.
• 🤯 The speaker's social anxiety was so severe that even simple tasks like asking for a napkin were daunting.
• 🏠 After moving, the speaker felt isolated and lonely, which led to depression and a feeling of worthlessness.
• 🔍 It took time and multiple therapists before the speaker received a diagnosis of social anxiety, which was a turning point in understanding their struggles.
• 💡 The diagnosis of social anxiety was initially distressing, but it eventually led to the speaker seeking and benefiting from therapy.
• 🤝 With therapy, the speaker began to improve, learning strategies to overcome anxiety and slowly making friends.
• 🌐 The speaker highlights the importance of understanding and supporting those with mental health issues, as lack of understanding can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
• 📉 Statistics shared by the speaker emphasize the prevalence of mental health issues among high school students and the serious consequences of untreated mental illness.
• 🤲 The speaker encourages reaching out for help and being kind to everyone, as you never know who might be struggling with a mental illness.
• 👥 The speaker suggests making support groups mandatory in schools and businesses to combat loneliness and provide a safe space for those with mental health issues.
• 🌟 The speaker's personal journey serves as an inspiration and a call to action for the community to support and understand those with mental health challenges.

Q & A

Why did the speaker move from Baltimore to Mountain Brook?

The speaker moved to Mountain Brook because their parents decided to relocate the family to Alabama, which was a significant change for the speaker who had spent their early years in Baltimore.

What was the speaker's experience like in their small private school before moving?

The speaker attended a small private school with about 50 people in their grade. Despite the small size of the school, it took them from kindergarten to sixth grade to form a close group of friends.

What challenges did the speaker face in making friends due to social anxiety?

The speaker's social anxiety made it difficult for them to initiate conversations and interact with others, even in a small school setting. They struggled with the fear of being judged or rejected, which made it hard to make friends.

How did the speaker's social anxiety affect their life after moving to Alabama?

After moving to Alabama, the speaker's social anxiety was exacerbated by the new environment and the need to make new friends. They felt isolated and struggled to engage with their peers, which led to feelings of loneliness and depression.

What role did debate play in the speaker's life after the move?

Debate was an extracurricular activity that the speaker was involved in after moving. It provided a structured environment where they could participate without the immediate pressure of socializing, but it did not alleviate their feelings of loneliness or depression.

How did the speaker eventually come to understand their social anxiety?

The speaker sought help from a therapist after two years of struggling without improvement. It was through this therapy that they received a diagnosis of social anxiety, which helped them understand their struggles and seek appropriate treatment.

What strategies did the speaker adopt to overcome their social anxiety?

With the help of therapy, the speaker learned strategies to manage their social anxiety. These strategies allowed them to gradually improve their social interactions and start making friends.

Why is it important for people to understand and support those with mental illnesses?

Understanding and supporting individuals with mental illnesses is crucial because it helps to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be major contributors to the worsening of mental health conditions and even suicide.

What statistics did the speaker mention about mental health among high school students?

The speaker mentioned that one in every five high school students suffers from a mental illness, 50% of students with mental illnesses end up dropping out of school, and 70% of juvenile prisoners have a mental illness.

What is the speaker's challenge to the audience regarding mental health?

The speaker challenges the audience to be kind and approachable to everyone, as you never know who might be suffering from a mental illness. They also suggest making it mandatory for businesses and schools to provide support groups for those with mental illnesses.

What impact did the speaker's mother have on their journey with social anxiety?

The speaker's mother played a significant role by encouraging them to seek therapy, providing support, and being a source of strength during their struggle with social anxiety.