Lifestyle

The U.S. is facing a youth mental health crisis. These skaters want to help

Published

2 hours ago

December 2, 2024

The U.S. is facing a youth mental health crisis. These skaters want to help

Frank “The Tank” Watkins has been skating for more than two decades. “When people feel like they are having issues or they don’t fit in, a lot of times they end up at the skatepark,” he says.

Sean Salamon

hide caption

toggle caption

Sean Salamon

On an unseasonably warm fall afternoon, Frank “The Tank” Watkins welcomes me to one of his favorite places: the skatepark at Pier 62 in Manhattan.

“This is my community, my sanctuary, my second home,” says Watkins, 28, who’s currently a psychology graduate student at the New School.

As the park begins filling up, Watkins seems to know everyone arriving. While he chats with veteran skater Jon “Porkchop” Nicholson, a crew of young girls put on their gear and start whipping around the bowl. One of them is 12-year-old Sora Kaneko-Wolfe, who says one of her favorite things about the skatepark is the friends she’s made there.

“Everyone supports each other,” she says. “If you had a bad week, you can come here and talk to everyone and relieve your stress.”

How TikTok And Skater Girls Are Sending Skateboard Sales Off The Wall

Watkins agrees. He’s been skating for more than two decades — he won best trick at a local competition three years in a row, he’s sponsored by several shops and he’s even traveled across the country to compete in California. One of the reasons Watkins loves the sport so much, he tells me, is because it’s always been a way to regulate his mental health. He also loves how diverse the culture is — people of different genders, races and ages hang out at the park, making it a safe and inclusive community.

“When people feel like they are having issues or they don’t fit in, a lot of times they end up at the skatepark,” he says.

Often, that means skaters are on the margins; in turn, they might be struggling with their mental health, just like millions of Americans. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six young people experience a mental health disorder every year. When it comes to adults, that number is even higher. Watkins is all too familiar with these numbers. That’s why he started working with the Harold Hunter Foundation, an organization in memory of the late New York City skater that aims to provide urban youth with resources and support through the skateboarding community.

Across town, Adam Brown was having similar conversations. He’s a clinical psychologist and director of the New School Center for Global Health. Brown also frequents his local skatepark with his kids. Over the summer, he was at Uncle Funkys Boards buying a few things when he started chatting with the owner about the connection between skating and mental health. “And he said, ‘You really gotta talk to this guy Frank,’” Brown remembers.

Want to understand your adolescent? Get to know their brain

Brown felt inspired seeing professional skaters like John Rattray partner with Nike on a “Why So Sad?” campaign to bring attention to mental health and suicide prevention. But Brown wanted to find a more direct way to bring care into his community. Once he met Frank Watkins, the two decided to embark on a new initiative together: The Skate Mind Project, a program from The New School that leads psychological first aid trainings for skaters.

“Psychological first aid, in many ways, is just providing people with a very basic toolkit and framework for how to support other people when they’re feeling overwhelmed,” says Brown. “What we’re trying to do is increase access to care through the training of non-mental health specialists. Not to take away the role of professionals, but in many contexts, people are not getting access to care.”

Skaters gather for a PFA training in New York City.

Skaters gather for a PFA — psychological first aid — training in New York City.

Tina Xu

hide caption

toggle caption

Tina Xu

During the first training session at Uncle Funkys in partnership with the NYC Skateboard Coalition, people piled pizza onto paper plates as Watkins, Brown and Vassar College student Sophia Ryder explained the three core tenets of PFA: Look, listen and link. Skaters were paired into groups to go through several exercises together. The main idea, Brown says, is to learn how to identify when someone is in distress, how to engage in conversation to help them feel less overwhelmed and how to direct them to professional care when needed.

Another goal for Brown and Watkins is to promote stronger relationships within skating culture, and to emphasize the role of skateparks and skate shops as community centers. As more and more people pick up skateboards every year, Brown and Watkins hope PFA trainings arm them with the resources to better support themselves and their loved ones. They’re planning to expand the trainings in partnership with Gotham Park, a local organization focused on transforming a public park under the Brooklyn Bridge. Gotham helped to reopen one of New York’s most iconic skate spots, Brooklyn Banks, after it spent years closed down.

Adam Brown, Frank Watkins and Sophia Ryder hope psychological first aid can promote strong relationships in the skate community.

Tina Xu

hide caption

toggle caption

Tina Xu

“If you don’t have space to meet people and to talk to people, then how do you form those relationships? Because you’re not doing it in your apartment by yourself,” says Rosa Chang, co-founder and president of Gotham Park. “That is what the purpose of our public spaces are. The key is to be able to reach people where they are, when they are, and to help build that muscle of mental health so you don’t reach a crisis point, hopefully, but also, frankly, so that you don’t feel alone.”

Back at the Pier 62 skatepark, Jon “Porkchop” Nicholson says the PFA trainings and increased conversations around mental health have the potential to make a huge difference. He’s 51, and in his decades of skating, he says he’s lost several friends in the community to suicide and drug-related deaths.

“Even though skating is a communal thing, skateboarders are also loners,” he says. “If you know how to handle your emotions, you’ll know there are better ways to self-regulate than some of the things you might find walking these streets by yourself or skating these streets by yourself.”

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Lifestyle

Kristin Chenoweth Gifted Ariana Grande Matching Glinda Jacket on 'Wicked' Set

Published

3 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Press Room

Kristin Chenoweth Gifted Ariana Grande Matching Glinda Jacket on 'Wicked' Set

Kristin Chenoweth may have nailed Glinda on Broadway, but she was all about a wicked smooth transition while passing the baton to Ariana Grande on the set of the “Wicked” movie.

The stage star shared some behind-the-scenes magic on X, posting pics of her and Ariana rocking matching custom pink Glinda jackets while filming … explaining she had surprised her with the outfits as a “little physical memento of our ‘passing of the wand.’”

ariana grande and Kristen Chenoweth matching Glinda jackets

In true Glinda form, Kristin said she was all about leading Ariana down the yellow brick road — or any road, really — and couldn’t be prouder of her!

Walking into Wicked for the 9th time like… pic.twitter.com/7HpEykaWCv
— Frankie James Grande (@FrankieJGrande) December 2, 2024
@FrankieJGrande

Looks like the movie’s got everyone on repeat watch … even Ariana’s brother, Frankie Grande, shared a clip of himself dancing his way into the theater for what he called his 9th time seeing the flick. Guess you can’t get enough of that magic!

Lifestyle

12 novels that NPR critics and staff were excited to share with you in 2024

Published

10 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Press Room

12 novels that NPR critics and staff were excited to share with you in 2024

Have you ever wondered what your co-workers are reading in their spare time? Every year, I get to find out as we put together Books We Love — NPR’s annual, year-end books guide. There are always a handful of titles that show up again and again in the nominations list. Here are a dozen novels that our staffers and critics were particularly eager to tell you about in 2024. To see the full list, head over to Books We Love.

All Fours by Miranda July
It’s the novel that blew up a thousand group chats. The unnamed protagonist, a 45-year-old artist, says goodbye to her husband and young child and embarks on a solo road trip. She’s just a half hour from home when she takes a detour that’s geographically unremarkable but yields massive emotional consequences. It is a journey of creative and sexual fulfillment, unhinged interior design, and exploring desire within the liminal space of perimenopausal middle age. Miranda July’s protagonist makes choices that you may find hilarious, relatable, or infuriating, but they are never boring. — Wailin Wong, host, The Indicator from Planet Money

Come & Get It by Kiley Reid
Told through multiple perspectives, I could not put this snappy page-turner down even though I had no idea where it was going until its jaw-dropping crescendo. Set at the University of Arkansas, this story follows several college students and a writing professor over the course of a year, largely through the lens of their relationship with money — how it motivates them, how it gets them into and (for some) out of situations — as well as race, sexuality, power and social status. As a Southerner and the graduate of a Southern university, I found myself nodding along excitedly to Reid’s apt depictions of contemporary Southern culture. — Beck Harlan, visuals editor, Life Kit

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty
Penobscot writer Morgan Talty cuts right to the bone. His non-native narrator, Charles, was raised on the reservation but can no longer live there. In spare language that perfectly matches the rugged Central Maine landscape, Talty explores the ties of blood, culture and personal history. Saying goodbye to these characters was like waving goodbye to a friend after a too-short visit: wistful but grateful for the time together. — Andrea de Leon, Northeast bureau chief

Funny Story by Emily Henry
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé described their meet-cute — until he decided he loved someone else: his childhood best friend, Petra. Scorned and stranded, Daphne moves in with the only person who could understand: Petra’s ex, Miles. The ex of my enemy is my friend, I guess? Emily Henry delivers another sweet and suspenseful romantic comedy, with a slow burn that has you wanting the best for Daphne and Miles, but especially Daphne as she comes out of her shell. Above all, Funny Story is a reminder that the most important relationship you have is the one you have with yourself. — Arielle Retting, growth editor

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Early one morning in 1975, a summer camp counselor finds an empty bunk. A 13-year-old camper has vanished. As the search begins along the banks of a lake in the Adirondacks, this 500-page drama unfolds — and it is worth every page! Liz Moore’s storytelling captures such an authentic picture of youth, young friendship and family secrets. There are thoughtful, well-developed characters, unexpected revelations, a history of a serial killer recently escaped, captivating storylines, shocking connections and surprising answers to every single mystery along the way. The God of the Woods has become a personal favorite of the year! — Lori Lizarraga, host, Code Switch

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
If a ’90s rom-com grew up and went to therapy, this sparkling book would be the result. After penning a popular YA book series, Helen Zhang gets a seat in the writers room where it’s being adapted into a TV show. Unfortunately, Grant Shepard is also one of the writers in that room. Grant was the charming homecoming king at their high school, whereas Helen was awkward and introverted. He’s also the reason Helen’s sister is dead — kind of. It’s been years since the accident, but the writers room reopens old wounds and forces Helen and Grant to be vulnerable with each other. Even as Helen wrestles with their past, the two begin a present-day romance that is sexy and tender. This book is a raised glass to second chances and late bloomers. — Lauren Migaki, senior producer

James by Percival Everett
The jokes in James range from chin scratchers to knee slappers to gut busters, although I’m not sure Percival Everett would even classify them as “jokes.” In his reimagining of the Huckleberry Finn story, Everett mines language, history and irony to showcase brutal truths about America. And yes, it’s often funny. But, like the original source material, things can quickly turn deadly serious depending on how the river flows. The novel is thrilling, hilarious, heartbreaking and a strong argument for Everett as one of the best doing it right now. — Andrew Limbong, correspondent, Culture Desk and host, Book of the Day

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
The simple way to describe this is as a story of a college gal getting knocked up by her English teacher and resorting to starting an OnlyFans to make ends meet. Not sold yet? Well, then let me add that this book opens up far wider and deeper than its premise. You’ll come to care so deeply about Margo, her professional wrestler father, Jinx, and all the relationships she forms as she figures things out. A warm, heartfelt, hilarious novel that I won’t soon forget. — Elise Hu, host, TED Talks Daily podcast, author of Flawless

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr! is a portrait of Cyrus Shams — a man consumed by addiction, depression and spiritual untethering. Full of sadness and righteous anger, especially when it comes to the American tendency to negate the value of certain Middle Eastern lives, it’s also one of the funniest books I’ve read in years. Martyr! is propelled by those kinds of contradictions. It breezes by while knocking you over. It strikes an optimistic note within its fatalism. It suggests death might provide the meaning of life. Ultimately, it could leave you in tears of laughter or of sorrow. Or most likely both. — Dave Blanchard, supervising editor, Wild Card

Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
You’d think a novel about the bureaucracy of a time travel government agency might be kinda, boring? But from the moment you meet the book’s enigmatic protagonist — as she starts a new job in the U.K.’s top secret new time travel agency — to the introduction of the dashing Graham Gore, an 1847 Arctic explorer plucked through time, you’ll be hooked. Come for the romance, stay for the unraveling of a mystery, the nuanced, genre-bending treatises on race and identity, and the long-lingering ideas on colonialism, empires and the mutability of history. — Christina Cala, senior producer, Code Switch

Real Americans by Rachel Khong
In the final third of this novel, a Chinese immigrant notes how she and her American-born roommate eat an apple differently. I attuned so closely to this observation as an American-born Chinese that I immediately shared it with my mother, who immigrated to the U.S. around the same time as the character does in the book. There are many such crystalline moments in this intergenerational saga, which also employs subtle science fiction elements in its portrait of one family’s attempts to obviate the pain of the past and set new narratives into motion. — Wailin Wong, host, The Indicator from Planet Money

The Women by Kristin Hannah
“You’re only going to be a nurse until you get married,” her mother said. But Frankie McGrath had other ideas, ones that would lead her away from her wealthy family’s conservative outlook on how daughters should behave. Kristin Hannah’s The Women follows young Frankie’s transformation, when after working as a nurse in California and tending to a wounded soldier, and missing her soldier brother, she joins the Army as a nurse. That takes her from a comfortable life of known expectations to one of the chaos and danger of war, new career opportunities and love. Tangled love. When Frankie returns home, she finds her country still protesting the war and those who served. The Women shines a light on a then-little-known aspect of the war: the women who also served in Vietnam, as nurses. — Jeanine Herbst, news anchor

This is just a fraction of the 350+ titles we included in Books We Love this year. Click here to check out this year’s titles, or browse nearly 4,000 books from the last 12 years.

An assortment of book covers from the 2024 edition of Books We Love.

Lifestyle

The 'Met Gala of L.A.:' What attendees wore to Born X Raised's 10th annual Sadie Hawkins dance

Published

10 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Press Room

The 'Met Gala of L.A.:' What attendees wore to Born X Raised's 10th annual Sadie Hawkins dance

By 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, hundreds of people were crowded outside the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, waiting to get inside one of Los Angeles’ most anticipated events of the year: Born X Raised‘s annual Sadie Hawkins Winter Formal.

Since 2014, the beloved L.A. streetwear brand has hosted a holiday season affair where attendees come fitted in their freshest formal looks — some of which they plan months in advance — along with a date (or a group of friends) who matches their fly. Born X Raised co-founders Chris “Spanto” Printup and Alex “2Tone” Erdmann held the first Sadie Hawkins dance at a small wood-paneled hall in Highland Park with simple balloons and streamers. It’s since evolved into a F.O.M.O-inducing, invite-only function where both supporters and A-list celebrities cross their fingers to slip inside before the venue reaches capacity.

“It’s like L.A.’s unofficial New Year’s Eve,” says Erdmann, who wore a champagne-colored suit to this year’s event. “This is the party that you drive around trying to find. Everyone comes here.”

With a surprise performance from rapper YG and another from a mariachi artist, last year’s event was dedicated to Printup, who died in a car accident in June 2023. Erdmann says he considered canceling the event following his business partner’s death — the party was Printup’s “baby” — but he decided to push forward because it’s become a festive tradition for so many Angelenos every November.

This year’s gathering marked the 10-year anniversary . To celebrate the milestone, Erdmann and organizers constructed a wedding chapel where guests could tie the knot under the tagline “Born X Raised Marriages Last Forever, This Is Legally Binding.” There was also a photo booth decorated with a nostalgic balloon arch and dozens of red roses, which guests filtered through as DJs including Kitty Cash and Giselle Peppers played sets in the background. The soundtrack for the evening was Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, “GNX,” West Coast classics and other party bangers.

We caught up with attendees at the high-energy party, which one person called “the Met Gala of L.A.,” to ask them about their outfit inspiration. These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Nyles Washington

(Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

Age: 28

Neighborhood: Mid-City

Have you been to this party before?
This is my first time, but I’m familiar with Born X Raised.

Tell us about your outfit. I went to Goodwill. I knew that whatever I found I was going to look good in it. I got everything but the hat and the shoes from there.

I’m from Houston. My girlfriend got me these Harley-Davidson cowboy boots. My hat is from Texas and it says my name inside of it.

Why do you think this event is so special?
My good friend is helping out with everything. I’ve heard that it’s really insane, but once you get in, it’s super worth it.

Queenie Sateen and Anatole Heger

Age:
Sateen: [Declined to answer]

Neighborhood:
Sateen: Hollywood

Have you been to this party before?
Sateen: No, but my friend comes every year and said it’s fun.

Tell me about your outfit.
Sateen: I was just trying to match my boyfriend. It’s giving funeral. I wanted to be [rudest] at the funeral.

Lorenz Christopher

A man with a mustache wearing purple patterned scarves

Age: 26

Neighborhood: Downtown L.A.

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been here like four times.

Tell us about your outfit. I just came back from Japan, so I had to cop Kapital out there. I have Ed Hardy on, a one-of-one with a rhinestone embellishment on the back, and I have a gold chain with Jesus on it. Shout out to God.

Why do you think this event is so special? The people. The vibes. The brand itself. Shout out to Spanto and shout out to all of the homies who work for them as well.

Kacey Littleton

A person in a mask dressed in red and white, including white gloves

Age: 25

Neighborhood: Echo Park

Have you been to this party before? I had a couple of friends say I should come, so I came.

Tell us about your outfit. This was kind of loosely inspired by English horse riding. I got the chaps on and the riding boots. I was just feeling like royalty. The mask brings a little twist like I’m at some secret party. It’s like the movie “Eyes Wide Shut.” I already owned this. I like to keep it pretty crazy and have a bit of spice every day. It keeps me going.

Why do you think this event is so special? It just brings a great group of people together. I recognize a lot of people here and I ran into a lot of friends, so it was really cool seeing that crossover from my own life, but also this event.

Blair Quinones

Age: 27

Neighborhood: Altadena

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been once like three years ago. I wore Moschino last year.

Tell us about your outfit. I wanted to wear gold jewelry, so I planned to wear an all lace dress, but I found this gold one in my closest and thought it was a little more classy. My sister gave it to me years ago.

Why do you think this event is so special? I feel like the people who are from L.A. are embracing it more than ever because there is a lot to be prideful about. And then of course, the people who knew Spanto are celebrating him. I didn’t know him personally, but my friends did and so there’s just so much appreciation for him.

Zackariah Arceyut

A man with a mustache in a coat, tie and baggy pants.

Age: 25

Neighborhood: Boyle Heights

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been at least five times.

Tell us about your outfit. It’s basically a mariachi-inspired outfit. My jacket is from a Mexican-owned L.A. brand called Vertical Authority. The studs on it remind me of my best friend’s [heritage]. He’s from Southeast Asia. So my outfit is like intertwining my culture — I’m half Mexican, half Nicaraguan — with my best friend’s culture.

Why do you think this event is so special? I love that it brings multiple cultures together and everybody’s having a good time. There’s never any issues. And I love how they are honoring Spanto. I think it’s beautiful that we can continue this in his name. It’s one of the ways we can continue to honor him and have so much love under one roof.

Dime Jones

Age: 32

Neighborhood: Leimert Park

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been three times.

Tell us about your outfit. My outfit inspo was Fran Lebowitz. Strong woman making moves.

Why do you think this event is so special? I think it gives L.A. a form of culture. L.A. is so spread out, so you don’t get to see people, their style and how they’re dressing, so this is a great way to bring people together at the end of the year.

Copelan Cash and Kennady Schneider

A man in hat and sunglasses with a woman wearing burgundy sleeves

Age:
Cash: 30
Schneider: 27

Neighborhood:
Cash: Fillipinotown
Schneider: Crenshaw

Have you been to this party before?
Cash: I’ve been here six times.
Schneider: This is my first one.

Tell us about your outfit.
Cash: I have on pinstripe with the white loafers.
Schneider: I wanted to wear something elegant and timeless.

Why do you think this event is so special?
Cash: Born X Raised is family. Spanto and all the homies. It’s my community. It’s my culture.

Jermaine Mitchell

Age: 32

Neighborhood: Downtown L.A.

Have you been to this party before? This is my third year in a row.

Tell us about your outfit. I’m wearing Theo Official. They dress me a lot. I wanted something festive to wear.

Why do you think this event is so special? I love the community. I love coming together as a group and looking fabulous.

Brisedia Leon

A woman with lots of jewelry closes her eyes and smiles

Age: 27

Neighborhood: Long Beach

Have you been to this party before? This is my first time. I learned about the Born X Raised brand a year ago from my friends.

Tell us about your outfit. I got my look from small L.A. businesses. I want to stand out. I got this necklace … from a brand called Jiggly Junk.

Dame

Age: 47

Neighborhood: Los Angeles

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been before. I’m friends with the owners.

Tell us about your outfit. You’ve got to get dressed up, so I wore a suit.

Why do you think this event is so special? I just think people need to be cultured and come together.

Freddie Gibbs, Grammy-nominated rapper

A man with large white-framed glasses, shiny pink coat, white shirt and black tie

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been at least 5 or 6 times. Spanto was one of my best friends.

Tell us about your outfit. I knew everybody was going to dress in dark colors, so I wanted to stand out.

Why do you think this event is so special? Because of Spanto. He was the nuts and bolts of all of this [stuff]. He brought all these people together. He [was] a real star. I was at his memorial last year. We’re doing it for him every year.

Zolee Griggs, actor

A woman in a long red-and-white sequined dress with red handbag

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been four or five times.

Tell us about your outfit. I wanted to go old-school Hollywood, dramatic sequins.

Why do you think this event is so special? I think what makes it special are all the L.A. natives who are still able to make it out, and I love that it’s the one time of the year for L.A. people to actually dress up.

Guapdad 4000, rapper

A man in dark sunglasses and a furry red garment

Have you been to this party before? I’ve been going since I moved to L.A. eight years ago.

Tell us about your outfit. I didn’t even want to go outside because something weird happened to me after this event last year, so my energy was [messed] up. I put this [stuff] together last minute because the universe is always going to find a way to remind me that I’m a great [person].

Why do you think this event is so special? I was introduced to it as something my musician, creative and fashion friends just went to. It was already established. The culture was already there, so I had to catch up.