Sandy Sohcot will be conducting an international training with Yvonne Vissing about how communities and organizations can develop a Rite of Passage Program. This training will occur on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 12:00 noon (ET). It will be free and open to the public on Zoom.
This training will focus on how communities and organizations can mobilize to support young people so that they can build the positive lives that they, their families, their schools, and their communities believe would help them to live happier, healthier, safer lives. You can contact us for more information at yvonne@theworldasitcouldbe.org
As background to why this training is important, since its creation in 2013 with the assistance of Frederick Marx, hundreds of youth have benefited from this program which helps them to become leaders in positive problem solving and nonviolent conflict resolution. While it has never been easy to be a young person, the challenges they face today are enormous. It can be observed in rising rates of anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, bullying, and violence against themselves or others.
Here are two sources of information about the growing concerns about our youth:
American Psychological Association April/May 2025
U.S. teens need far more emotional and social support
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Youth Mental Health Statistics July 25, 2025
The Annie E. Casey Foundation report includes a link to information about the factors contributing to Generation Z Mental Health, including:
- Lack of life direction and purpose: The same Harvard study found that half of Gen Z young adults say their mental health is negatively affected by not knowing what to do with their lives, and almost three in five (58%) lacked meaning or purpose in their lives within the past month. Among young people ages 12 to 26, another 2023 Gallup survey found that the biggest driver of Gen Z happiness is their sense of purpose at either school or work, but 43% to 49% of Gen Zers “do not feel what they do each day is interesting, important or motivating.”
- A need for connection with others: Sadly, more than two in five (44%) Gen Z young adults feel like they don’t matter to others, and one in three (34%) report loneliness, according to the same Harvard survey. This is corroborated by 2023 Gallup findings that about one in three Gen Zers ages 12 to 26 do not often feel loved (31%) or supported (35%) by others, and a similar share (30%) always/often feel like nobody knows them well. This is especially troubling given that these young people are going through a vulnerable developmental stage, and evidence indicates that stable, supportive relationships are important for positive mental health.
Here are a few resources about the program, written by Sandy Sohcot and Frederick Marx:
Community Based Rites of Passage – Why and How.
A virtual presentation of why rites of passage are vital elements to support healthy youth and vibrant communities, with resources to help implement them.
Community Based Rites of Passage – Getting Them Started and Keeping Them Going
A document providing step-by-step guidance on how to implement rites of passage in your community.
Rites of passages have been essential parts of indigenous, religious and cultural communities throughout time, though have not been fully recognized and valued in our secular, everyday world. We hope this is a start to igniting widespread appreciation for and implementation of this deeply meaningful process. Let us know if you want more information.
We look forward to seeing you at the January training!
Sandy Sohcot at sandy@theworldasitcouldbe.org
Yvonne Vissing at yvonne@theworldasitcouldbe.org
HRE USA 