JED and MTVU Launch "Press Pause" to Help Teens & Young Adults Cope with Stress, Anxiety and Relationship Issues

Award-Winning Half of Us Campaign Uses On-Air, Online and On Campus Programming to Focus on Mindfulness Techniques

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Oct 10, 2017, 16:20 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults, and MTVU, MTV's college network broadcast on over 700 college campuses, launched Press Pause today as part of their Peabody Award-winning Half of Us campaign (halfofus.com/presspause). Press Pause includes 10 animated PSAs and an online hub to engage students and inspire them to use simple mindfulness techniques – like breathing exercises, meditation, perspective checks, music and movement – to deal with common stresses and challenges that can make young adults feel overwhelmed or hopeless.

Over the last few years, there's been a growing focus on the importance of strengthening resiliency and developing healthy coping mechanisms among teenagers, college students and young adults. Research shows that emotional health issues, like depression and stress, are on the rise, and many experts believe that the pressure to succeed and our "digital landscape" are contributing to the difficulties. When unaddressed, these issues can lead to academic failure, substance abuse, isolation and self-harm.

Research also shows that simple mindfulness techniques can play a significant role in improving emotional health. This is critical for helping young people effectively navigate the emotional pitfalls they encounter during their transition into adulthood: relationship problems, break-ups, academic pressures, job searches, financial worries, etc.

"Mindfulness exercises like meditation, gratitude and breathing can strengthen our emotional health and help decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety," says John MacPhee, Executive Director/CEO at JED. "Our goal is that Press Pause will make these exercises more accessible for teenagers and young adults."

A series of 10 animated spots will be rolled out on MTVU starting this month and continuing through the school year, presenting common situations that can make young people feel overwhelmed, anxious, angry or confused. Each spot shows a student "pressing pause" when these challenging moments arise, and taking advantage of a mindfulness technique to put things in perspective and move forward in a proactive way instead of reacting in the moment. These techniques include: breathing exercises; prioritizing tasks to make them less overwhelming; gratitude exercises to focus on good things in their lives instead of dwelling on the negative, using calming coping mechanisms like listening to music or taking a walk, journaling, and taking a moment to gain perspective on interpersonal problems before responding in anger.

The spots point to an online hub (halfofus.com/presspause) that walks students through mindfulness techniques in more detail, features interviews with high-profile artists and other students talking about their coping mechanisms. It will also offer students the chance to share their own mindfulness tips and encourage them to pass these tools along via social media.

The videos will be added to a growing library of feature-length films, interviews and PSAs that are available to campuses free of charge at www.halfofus.com/campus. A free planning kit will also be made available that gives ideas and tools for incorporating the spots and the Press Pause concept into campus programming targeted at students.

Press Pause is teaming up with Tumblr to support the campaign. Tumblr will be using its #PostitForward initiative (https://postitforward.tumblr.com) to encourage users to share the ways they deal with overwhelming situations.

Visit halfofus.com/presspause to learn more and join the conversation online using #presspause.

About JED
JED is a national nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programming and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults; and we're encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health. Learn more at www.jedfoundation.org.

About MTVU
Broadcast to more than 700 college campuses nationwide, MTVU reaches nearly 8 million U.S. college students – making it the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, MTVU can be seen in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S. MTVU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are: on-air, online and on campus. MTVU airs music videos from emerging artists, news, student life features and initiatives that give college students the tools to advance positive social change. For more information about MTVU, and a complete programming schedule, visit www.MTVU.com.

Contact:
Andrea Morgan, Makovsky
[email protected] - 917-213-5506

SOURCE The Jed Foundation