In this day and age, we find ourselves living in a reality that is somehow more well-equipped to deal with social isolation than ever – and yet so many of us fall into patterns that discourage us from creating meaningful connections. The promise of the social media age was the ability to build bridges that were once impossible to build. And yet we find ourselves feeling unable to reach out for help, detached from those we hold dear. Why is that?
In large part, it’s because we don’t feel like we have the words to describe what we’re going through. The thought that a negative feeling is indescribable and therefore unrelatable can feel like an insurmountable bulwark against receiving the help and care we need.
The Charlie Fund’s Emotional Fluency Workbook was developed alongside therapists, educators, and experts with the goal of helping young people equip themselves with the most complete language possible to describe whatever it is they may be going through.
Although our goal is to help readers harness a more complex way of thinking about emotions, the workbook itself is quite simple. The lessons within are meant to build the foundation for what will become a more mindful way of processing and talking about one’s feelings. We approach this endgame with a beginner’s mindset.
We assume that everyone engaging with our workbook is starting from scratch. This creates a level field of engagement for those who might have preconceived insecurity about the vulnerability that comes with expressing feelings.
Each section tackles a framework for thinking about our emotions, from the words we use to describe our reactions to deeper concepts of the self and core belief structures. Terms are explained in straightforward and easy language so as to best meet readers where they are, regardless of their stage of understanding. This isn’t about simplifying the complex -- it’s about giving people the tools to understand their most complex selves.
We know the best way to engage the audience is to involve them in the process. That’s why this is a workbook, not just a textbook. With each new concept introduced, the Emotional Fluency Workbook offers space for personal reflection alongside arresting visuals to keep readers engaged throughout the curriculum. The activities are guided and maintain an uncomplicated tone – again, this is to make sure we’re meeting everyone on a level playing field.
Ultimately, the goal of the Emotional Fluency Workbook and related curriculum is to be a boon to any who come into contact with its content. A native speaker of any language never stops learning new words – you only expand your vocabulary. It’s the same for emotional fluency. At no stage of life is one “done” with finding better ways to make their lives healthier and happier -- but adolescence might be the most important stage to start combatting the stigma around mental health.
In adolescence, the human brain goes through a massive amount of change, and the processes that young people begin to turn into routine are more easily hardwired into their minds. This malleability is both a blessing and a curse. Bad habits can become engrained, and while no thought process is ever final, it makes it much harder for these soon-to-be adults to break destructive thought patterns.
But the same is true for the good habits. Children who have access to mental health resources, regardless of if they are currently experiencing a mental health crisis or not, will be much better equipped to deal with difficult emotions down the line. This all starts with giving them the tools they need to express themselves.
According to a study conducted by the Born This Way Foundation, 1 in 3 young people report lacking proper access to mental health resources. Compounding issues like a shortage of mental healthcare workers, not having access to health insurance, and stigma around asking for help have made this quite a dire time for America’s youth. More than ever, resources are needed -- and at the same time, scarce.
This lack is something The Charlie Fund hopes to address -- by making this curriculum available to educators and community leaders, we hope to disseminate the building blocks of emotional fluency to as many young people as we can.
While specialized care for those in desperate situations is of the utmost importance, our workbook is not just for those in the immediate throes of that. Emotional fluency is a tool that can be used by anyone in any situation, and should become a lifelong practice. That’s why we see the workbook as being something used in a classroom setting -- no one is singled out while being asked to address their emotional wellbeing. This implementation helps diffuse the stigma around asking for help, because it becomes a requirement for all.
Our hope is that your interest in our organization can lead to the emotional fluency curriculum finding its way into the hands of who needs it most. Our workbooks are made to be engaged with, and by partnering with community leaders we hope to get these books in the hands of students across the country.