The letter “We need to help young people learn to deal with stress” (May 28, TribLIVE) was a wonderful piece about how we in the mental health profession need to teach our clients how to handle stress. I could not agree more.

In an effort to shield our kids from failure and disappointment, well- intentioned parents, educators and therapists have done a great disservice to our youth. The “every kid gets a participation trophy” mindset has shielded our kids from learning how to handle the stressors of life.

In my generation, 18-year-olds were drafted into military service and shipped off to fight in Vietnam; today’s 18-year-old needs a therapy dog on a college campus during finals week in order to handle test- taking stress. And please do not get me started on the “emotional support” animal craze that has taken over our country. Though occasionally asked, I refuse to write a letter stating that one of my clients cannot function without bringing along a living, breathing “teddy bear” for comfort and emotional support as they undertake the activities of everyday life.

We need to toughen up. As one client told me in a session, “I was never allowed to fail at anything as a kid. We all got participation trophies. Now, here I am in my mid-20s, and I don’t know how to handle life.” Those of us in the mental health field must shoulder some of the blame.

Lisa Pope

Latrobe

The writer is a licensed clinical social worker.

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