Goldie Hawn adds star power to discussion on children’s mental health at New York Life.

Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn is president and founder of MindUP, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the mental health of young people.

New York Life Investments (NYLI) recently welcomed celebrated actress Goldie Hawn and her non-profit organization, MindUP, to our Home Office in New York City as part of its marquee Month of Service event during which they discussed ways to improve the mental health and wellness of young people. Month of Service is an annual campaign of volunteerism where New York Life comes together to help the communities where we live and work.

MindUP is committed to helping children develop skills to manage their emotions in healthy and productive ways. For the last 20+ years, MindUP’s preventative mental health program has equipped students, educators, and families with mental fitness tools that help build greater emotional literacy and improve resilience to face challenges with optimism, strength, and compassion. NYLI partnered with its client, Morgan Stanley, to bring this event to the Home Office.

Not enough resources

A panel discussion moderated by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s Gail Heffern featured New York Life Head of Corporate Responsibility Heather Nesle and others from Morgan Stanley. The panelists talked about a range of children’s mental health issues, including the impact of the pandemic on young people, the lack of pediatric mental health providers, and the special challenges for historically disenfranchised groups.

Nesle specifically noted how the effects of a loss are felt both in the household as well as the classroom, with 92% of teachers in an American Federation of Teachers survey saying childhood grief deserves more attention, but 93% saying they had never received any training on this subject. The New York Life Foundation’s Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative has narrowed that gap, but more work remains.

Hawn spoke about her experiences growing up and her struggles with mental health as a figure in the spotlight. She emphasized the importance of early education for children to learn how their brains work so that they can better regulate emotions, focus their attention, and be more empathetic. Melissa Schlinger, CEO of MindUP, highlighted their goals for the future – hoping to reach over 10,000 classrooms in New York City this year, and offering more resources for parents to support their own mental well-being and to help their children.

For more information on how the New York Life Foundation supports bereaved families, visit their website here.

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