Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection

Title: Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection

Author: Will Hutcherson & Chinwe Williams, PH.D.

Genre: Nonfiction, Parenting, Mental Health

Publisher: Parent Cue

Source: Own

My Review:

Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection is an excellent resource for parents, teachers, or anyone who works with youth in any capacity.

"In recent years, our world has seen a pandemic of depression, anxiety, and despair in kids and teenagers. In fact, the age group that has seen the highest increase in suicide rates is in kids 10 to 14 years old."

If you are around youth/teens then you know this statement to be true. Teenagers do seem to be dealing with more anxiety and depression than ever before. The point of Seen is to give the reader tools to be able to help teens who are struggling, and if need be, encourage them to get the help they need. 

I highlighted so many things in this book. There is a lot of practical advice and encouragement. I can see things that I could have handled better if I had been properly equipped. As someone with two teenagers who struggle with depression and anxiety, and as a youth leader, I wish I had read this book sooner. It is one I will revisit often and recommend highly. It is such a short book but has so much great information.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (from Amazon):

A two-hour read to build a stronger relationship with a kid or teenager.

Whether you're a parent, youth leader, teacher, or caring adult, not knowing how to help those dealing with difficult emotions can leave you feeling intimidated, powerless, and discouraged. It can feel scary.

But we want you to know there is hope.

In this book, Will and Dr. Chinwé will help you...

• Understand how the brain works when someone is in despair
• Learn why some of the things you'd think would help sometimes make matters worse
• Discover simple yet powerful tools you can use every day to connect with a kid or teenager to help them heal

A beautiful convergence of faith and psychology, Seen is a quick read that uses both clinical research and real life stories to give you--and the kids you love--hope.