Author's Talk Will Address High Stress Levels In Lexington Schools

LEXINGTON, MA -- Lexington is working to address stress among students in its highly-rated -- and highly-competitive -- school system. And part of that discussion focuses on female students: a 2014 report found that 34.4% of female students had felt sad or hopeless for a period of two or more weeks, compared to 17.9% of male students. The same report, based on a survey of Lexington High School students, found that 20.8% of female students had considered suicide and 12.8% had made a suicide plan, compared to 12.1% and 6.2%, respectively, for male respondents.

Those facts will be the backdrop when author and Colby College professor of education Lyn Mikel Brown speaks at the Waldorf School of Lexington on October 19 at 7 pm. Brown is the author of six books, most recently having published Powered By Girl: A Field Guide for Supporting Youth Activists.

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"As members of the Lexington education community, we are excited to bring Lyn here to discuss not just the WHY but HOW to encourage students to play an active role in shaping their education and their future," said Waldorf School Outhreach Director Rochelle Rosen. "By encouraging our children to create learning spaces that they feel safe in they can be fully who they are. It is through this approach that our youth can feel empowered to aid in reversing the statistics of increased mental health issues, childhood obesity and bullying."

The talk is open to the general public and tickets are $10 at the door. The discussion is being co-sponsored by the Waldorf PCA and Lexington Community Education. More information is available on the school's events calendar.

Photo of Lyn Mikel Brown provided by Waldorf School of Lexington.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).