Corrupt the youth

How Socrates laid the ground work for a mental health revolution

Last week’s post, and your response to it, helped me understand that the world is divided into two camps: those who like Radiohead and those who do not. I could not help but be reminded of the movie What About Bob? where Bill Murray's character, Bob Wiley, famously describes the two types of people who are in the world: "Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't." Of course, people can’t be categorized into such simple dichotomous traits like band preference, but I found it funny how there’s very little space in-between the two camps. Thank you all for your emails, texts, and comments on that piece.

This week I want to talk a bit about our future. Specifically, I want to talk about our future leaders, and in many cases, current leaders of the mental health movement, our youth. But let’s start with our past, and a historical figure who gave us some pretty helpful tips on how to think differently about big issues. Major hat tip to a recent episode of Hidden Brain, which inspired this post.

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher born around 470 BC. Unless you ignored all your studies throughout high school or never saw Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, you probably have some understanding of who Socrates was. Basically, he stands tall as one of the influential figures in the annals of Western thought. Most people when they think about philosophy think about Socrates and his students.

But what I find to be most intriguing about this man was his undeniable search for answers to questions. While it seems strange to say, this was an entirely unique thing for his time. Socrates pursued a form of philosophical inquiry that involved dialogues and debate, a method that later came to be known as the Socratic Method. Think of this method as simply using questions to get people to think deeper about an issue or to find some novel solution within a problem.

Sadly, he himself never wrote down his teachings; and, our understanding of his philosophy and methods comes primarily from the accounts of his students, notably Plato.

Socrates' disdain for sophistry and his dedication to seeking truth led to his being viewed with suspicion by many in Athenian society. His unwavering commitment to examining life, ethics, and the pursuit of goodness ultimately led to his trial and execution on charges of corrupting the youth and impiety, a profound moment that marked both the tragic end of Socrates and the birth of a lasting legacy in philosophical thought.

Truly, this man was sentenced to death in large part for getting the next generation, the youth, to begin to ask questions about the establishment - to ask questions about things that they were told they should just accept rather than actually understand on their own. His students found great value in his teachings, and Plato, Aristotle, and others continued to expand upon his work after his death laying the groundwork for how we approach countless issues even today.

At a time when it feels like fewer and fewer people are asking questions and just spewing their opinion, it seems we should revisit some of these Socratic principles within our community.

Asking questions gives us space to listen. It allows for someone else to express their thoughts or feelings about a particular topic without us getting in the way with our own opinions. It allows us to get more information, which in turn we can use to inform how we respond respond. Basically, questions are the building blocks for adding value and meaning to a dialogue. They help inform a person's perspective, give you perspective about that person, and give both parties direction about where the conversation is likely to go.

When it comes to youth, the next generation of leaders, it seems they should be asking a lot of questions. I mean, if I looked at the world as it is and thought about all the things that needed to be done to make it where I found it to be acceptable, I would start asking a lot of questions too. In fact, if you have followed any of my writing here, you know that I do ask a lot of questions both of you and of the world. The youth asking questions can open the door for a broader discussion around what’s working and what’s not.

It's not a new concept to state that youth can be leaders for change. What does appear to be relatively newer, is that they are taking charge in new and exciting ways for mental health. I remember watching students in Oregon decide that they should get a mental health day in school just as they do a sick day. They passed a law that allowed for that to happen. Over 12 states now do this too! It all started with the youth, asking questions like “Why is our mental health not treated like our physical health?” and then those questions turned into solutions that require action.

Data have shown a consistent trend of increased problems of mental health in youth. Our youth see these problems firsthand. But what questions are we asking them about these issues? Chances are, they have some pretty great answers that we should heed.

One doesn’t have to look very hard to find example of where youth began to question the establishment, the status quo, and take the lead doing something about it.

1. Climate Change Activism: Perhaps the most famous youth-led initiative in recent years is the global climate strike movement inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Beginning with her solitary protest outside the Swedish Parliament in 2018, this movement has since mobilized millions of young people worldwide to demand action on climate change.

2. Mental Health Advocacy: As mentioned earlier, students in Oregon successfully campaigned for mental health days to be recognized in schools, a movement that has spread to several other states. This reflects a broader trend of young people advocating for greater mental health resources and awareness in educational institutions and communities.

3. Gun Control and Safety: Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, students there formed the group Never Again MSD. This group became a central part of the March for Our Lives movement, advocating for gun safety legislation and bringing national attention to the issue.

4. Technological Innovation: Young tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs are constantly creating new technologies and startups. For instance, numerous apps and platforms addressing issues from environmental sustainability to education have been developed by young innovators.

5. Educational Initiatives: Many youth-led organizations focus on education reform and accessibility. For example, Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, co-founded the Malala Fund to advocate for girls' education globally.

6. Community and Social Justice Projects: Youth activists are often at the forefront of social justice movements, addressing issues like racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's rights. They utilize various platforms, from social media campaigns to community workshops, to drive awareness and change.

Asking questions is a vital part of our growth as individuals and as a society. It helps us challenge preconceived notions and pushes us to explore new possibilities. The youth of today, as they become more aware and engaged with the world around them, are particularly positioned to lead this charge. Their fresh perspectives and unbridled enthusiasm can often cut through the noise and complexity of issues, getting straight to the heart of what matters.

Drawing inspiration from Socrates, a proponent of critical inquiry, we have the opportunity to nurture a generation ready to face and solve the challenges of our era. Here’s a few simple ideas on how.

1. Cultivate a Culture of Inquiry: Encourage critical thinking and questioning in both educational settings and at home. It begins by creating space for us to ask questions, leading by example, and offering a safe space for discourse. This creates a much more open culture where all ideas can be discussed with the end goal of everyone learning more about the issue and other’s opinions.

2. Organize Socratic Seminars: Host Socratic seminars in schools and community settings where young people can engage in discussions on topics around mental health. This approach fosters deep thinking, respectful dialogue, and a collaborative search for understanding on a topic that’s very intimate to many of us. In writing this article I did find a cool organization that’s doing some of this work more with a focus on philosophy.

3. Bridge Youth and Policy Makers: Create platforms for meaningful conversations between young people and policymakers. This ensures that youth perspectives influence the policies shaping their future. It also allows serious and deep questions to be asked in service to collective learning. Why don’t we have more intergenerational roundtables where we can ask each other questions?

Let us be inspired by Socrates and use his method to engage our youth. Let's make questioning a habit – a tool for understanding, empathy, and progress. Whether it's about mental health, societal norms, or everyday decisions, these questions can be powerful catalysts for change. Start tonight at your own dinner table. Who knows where the conversations might go. Perhaps in 2024, it’s time to ask more, assume less, and see where these questions lead us.