Children living and attending school at The Village for Families & Children recently had the opportunity to develop a podcast on the importance of mental health for the 2023 NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
Working with Emmy-nominated Bill Ahern, the owner, producer and chief engineer at Tapeworks in Hartford, children at The Village learned how to organize, record and edit their own podcast as part of a recreational therapy to help them heal through creative expression. In the podcast, students discussed mental health and shared coping skills and positive strategies they have learned that help them during difficult times. They also shared advice for other kids going through similar challenges and produced original music for the podcast.
“The kids in our program possess a unique, personal lens when it comes to mental health,” said Village Medical Director Dr. Laine Taylor. “It meant so much to them to collaborate with Tapeworks and be able to share valuable insight they’ve gained in the process of healing in the hopes of helping other kids.”
Children living at The Village’s psychiatric residential treatment facility, Eagle House, are between the ages of six and twelve and receive comprehensive mental health support as they transition from hospitalization and heal from significant challenges, including trauma. During their stay at The Village, they attend school on campus and participate in individual, group and family therapies as they prepare to transition to a family or foster care setting.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Tapeworks for partnering with The Village and providing these children with a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” said Village President and CEO Galo Rodriguez. “Not only did they gain valuable skills for creative expression, but they were empowered to share their experiences and spread awareness about the importance of mental health.”
Each year the NPR Student Podcast Challenge offers an opportunity for students around the country to share their important insights and hone their creative skills for a chance to be featured on NPR. This year, the contest’s theme is mental health.