Empower youth to overcome fear

    Living in northern Maine we rarely think about high crime rates, unsafe neighborhoods or communities. We have the blessing of living in an area where we feel relatively safe. This feeling of safety affords us a confidence and security that we often take fore granted until that security is violated. The violation causes us to feel angry, and betrayed.  Situations where we feel threatened or unsafe trigger a “fight or flight” mechanism in our bodies where we physically tense up, our hearts race, and we make a choice to fight or flee the situation for survival. At times such as this our thinking may become irrational and we struggle to make appropriate choices. For youth whose lives are filled with fear, the “flight or flight” scenario may be a daily occurrence. For these young people the survival of daily life takes all the energy they have. They often do poorly in school, have few connections with adults or peers and appear pessimistic about their future. The fear in their lives has taken over their ability to think rationally or show the world who they really are.
    Although fear cannot be entirely avoided, as it is a normal part of healthy childhood development, adults can work to create environments in our homes, schools, and communities where people are respected and valued, where fear is minimized and the opportunity to take healthy risks are maximized. When a toddler fears monsters under their bed or being alone in the dark validate their fear by getting a night light or using “monster spray” to get rid of all the unwanted creatures. When teenagers fear social situations, violence or failure role play behaviors that will allow them to feel confident. Talk to young people about upsetting or frightening events they may have heard about or seen on TV. Becoming aware of our own body language or behaviors is important as youth sense our insecurities about the dangers in the world. Surround youth with caring, loving adults that they can go to in times of need.
    Safety at school, at home and in their communities, Asset no. 10 of the 40 Developmental Assets, allows youth to feel empowered in a sometimes scary world. The feeling of empowerment enables youth to try new things, and contribute to their communities in healthy and positive ways. Youth who feel safe are more relaxed, open, confident and creative. They dare to dream big and venture forth in the world towards their goals with confidence and strength.
    Through believing in the safety of their environments youth will begin to recognize the truth in what Franklin D. Roosevelt said so many years ago, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” The possibilities in fearlessness are endless, the dreams so much larger and the world so much richer.
    Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.
    This article was brought to you by Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention. For more information about ASAP and 40 Developmental Assets contact Allison Heidorn, project assistant at 540-6772 or visit www.asapcoalition.com