General's GEMS (Gradual Empowerment and Motivation of the Self) is a project that originally intended to provide internship opportunities. The project transitioned into creating a space for artists to share how they could use their talents to spread positivity. GEMS create songs, poems, dances, art pieces, blogs, articles, photos, workshops, ideas, events, and other projects or content to bring awareness about different issues and serve as sources of hope to others. I interviewed these incredible artists and believe their insight will inspire many.

Raneil Shim

• Gentle Reminders: Go out and try to find somebody to listen to you, whether they’re listening the way the you want them to or just the way you need them to. If you can’t find that person, then you just have to find what helps you cope with anything in life.

• Skills: Creating Poetry, Rapping, and Screenwriting

Isaiah Oliver

• Gentle Reminders: Don’t force yourself to write if you have writer’s block, just “go” when you get inspired.

• Skills: Rapping

Sammeka Barrolle

• Gentle Reminders: Prioritize respect and consistency. Move on if someone doesn’t value and appreciate you.

• Skills: Blogging

Lynel Baker

• Gentle Reminders: Be patient with yourself, don’t be so hard on yourself, and take time for yourself. You are the most important person in the world. You need to surround yourself with people that are going to elevate you and push you to want to be in better places or different spaces. Put yourself out there.

• Skills: Writing Poetry

Abdoulie Drammeh

• Gentle Reminders: Surround yourself with more positive messages. Try to tell yourself, “Today is going to be a good day.” Try and be more positive because being negative is tiring.

• Skills: Designing videogames

Klark

• Gentle Reminders: Get to know yourself, find out what you like, do your research, go to events, and network.

• Skills: Modelling and Styling

How Does Stress Affect Your Health and Behavior?

Tips from Chamylah's presentation at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Adolescent Health Center in July 2018.

Stress can cause psychological health problems. It may cause irritability (possibly with displaced anger), anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Some proactive coping strategies to try include: reflecting through meditation, writing a poem or journal entry, and venting to close friends/family.

Stress can cause physical damage your body. It may increase your chances of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, headaches, and insomnia/ sleeping problems. Some proactive coping strategies to try include: maintaining the same sleep schedule, exercising, and eating healthy (if you don’t want to do it ALL the time, at least try it SOMEtimes!).

Stress can cause behavioral health issues. It may increase the possibility of using unhealthy coping mechanisms and having terrible time management skills. Some proactive coping strategies to try include: getting rid of ALL distractions, prioritizing, and creating your own coping mechanisms (e.g. listening to music, taking a nap, watching a show/movie, doing one thing at a time, staying organized).

The following factors can contribute to stress:

1) Parental/familial/peer pressure, 2) School issues, 3) Work/financial problems, 4) Health problems, 5) Identity/purpose, 6) Perceived personal success