Laurie Santos - The Real Scoop on How to Be Happier (From the Most Popular Course in Yale History)

Mental Health

Laurie Santos highlights the alarming mental health crisis among college students, with over 40% reporting severe depression and 60% experiencing overwhelming anxiety. She notes that students are seeking solutions, which explains the popularity of her course at Yale. The course's scientific approach to well-being offers students practical strategies to improve their mental health 1.

Students are facing this mental health crisis. Over 40% of college students nationally report being too depressed to function most of the time. Over 60% say that they feel overwhelmingly anxious.

--- Laurie Santos

Santos believes that societal pressures and technology contribute to these issues, but emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to address them 1.

   

Early Education

Santos advocates for incorporating well-being education at an earlier stage in life, suggesting that middle and high school students could greatly benefit from these practices. She shares that simple activities like family gratitude exercises and meditation can be easily integrated into daily routines 2.

I think if there are parents listening or educators, like, there's really easy things you can do to bring these things into a classroom or even into a home. Think about saying a few things you're grateful for at the dinner table, or really trying to focus on having some time to be present or a family meditation together.

--- Laurie Santos

By understanding and implementing these habits early, families can foster better mental health and resilience in children 2.