Kindness in Action
During the past few months, we have been focusing heavily on Kindness and the power and impact kindness to self and others can have on mental health and wellbeing. Our Youth Ambassador and intern, Gillian Mui, reported on a recent study from the Born This Way Foundation named Kindness in Action.
Kindness matters. It can be the candle that lights up when you are just about to give up hope or the reason you have an extra pep in your step at school. The transformative impact of kindness - kindness received from strangers or friends and the kindness we give to others - can not be underestimated, especially after a year of isolation and record-high numbers of youth suffering from poor mental health.
Over the course of two weeks at the beginning of 2021 , singer-songwriter Stefani Germanotta’s, better known as Lady Gaga, mental health foundation, Born This Way Foundation, worked with The Harris Poll to survey over 2,000 young people ages 13 to 24. The report, Kindness in Action, explored how young people are defining kindness, the impact of kindness on mental health and wellness, and how youth are using kindness to cope with hardships.
What is kindness?
What does it mean to be kind? According to the report by the Born This Way Foundation:
62% of participants agreed that kindness is doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return,
59% said that kindness is shown through actions, and
56% said kindness means more than simply being nice to someone.
Youth participants agreed that kindness is what brings us all together, is about how you treat yourself, not just others, and is more important than ever before.
Indeed, in this day and age where bullying remains an enormous crisis in our schools and many youth are suffering and feeling lonely, youth point to kindness as something that can help you while you are hurting. Other definitions of kindness included “what makes life worth living” and something that is “easy to do.”
But who is responsible for inspiring our youth to be kind? Parents and guardians, in fact, accounted for the majority of who encouraged young people to be kinder to one another and to themselves. Youths surveyed also agreed that kindness also comes from within themselves, from friends, and from seeing others be kind.
Youth participants agreed that kindness is what brings us all together, is about how you treat yourself, not just others, and is more important than ever before.
What is the impact of kindness on youth?
We can not underestimate the value of kindness. Even small acts of kindness can lead to big improvements in mental wellness. In fact, a third of young people reported that experiencing more kindness in the world would lead to big improvements in their mental health. And nearly 95% of the youth surveyed agreed that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Not only do youth agree experiencing more kindness would improve their mental wellness, but those who report having great mental wellness say that they actually are regularly experiencing more kindness in their lives. This relationship between kindness experienced and mental wellness underscores the undeniable importance of being more kind to others and ourselves. When asked about the last time someone was kind to them, one participant in the survey said: “It made me feel better, and that life was worth continuing.”
When asked about the last time someone was kind to them, one participant in the survey said:
“It made me feel better, and that life was worth continuing.”
How can kindness help youth cope with crises?
The toll that 2020 has taken on all of us has hit our youth particularly hard.
76% of youth surveyed agreed that it has been really hard to stay away from friends/family because of pandemic restrictions.
74% feel like they are dealing with more now than they ever have before.
69% have had a hard time getting through the past year.
Unsurprisingly, cisgender females and LGBTQ+ youth were disproportionately impacted, along with 18-24 year olds and financially insecure youth.
But amid all the turmoil and stress, young people have found optimism and inspiration through the actions of themselves and others. In fact, when asked what has helped most in getting through the past year:
62% of youth said that it was talking to family or friends.
58% of youth said that it was doing things they enjoy.
53% of youth said that it was taking more time for themselves..
In tough times, kindness is the way forward. A majority of youth not only say that kindness helps them get through tough times, but that it is how we move forward. As philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said, “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”
Take Part in Our Kindness Campaign, #ShineTheLight
Learn more about our current kindness campaign that was developed with the help of our Youth Ambassadors. Spread kindness through compliments on your social media accounts.
Learn more here.
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About Gabriel's Light
In 2019, Carol and Brendan Deely founded Gabriel’s Light in honor of their son who died by suicide at age 12. In honor of Gabe and all those lost to suicide, they share their journey with the hope that others may learn and grow from their tragedy. Focusing on three pillars of cyber safety, suicide prevention, and kindness campaigns, through outreach, programs, partnerships, and funding, they raise awareness and inspire youth, parents, and educators to take action and help forward their mission.