NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for mental health advice. While research remains ongoing, Prolonged Grief Disorder is currently recognized by the DSM-5 as a mental health condition. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfThis source explores current research, as well as challenges and controversies associated with Prolonged Grief Disorder diagnosis: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10291380/This study provides more context on brain changes associated with Prolonged Grief Disorder https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925492720301074Dealing with grief doesn’t mean forgetting or letting go. It means finding support to help manage and live with your memories and feelings. Brennan Wood knows this first-hand, from losing her mother at 12 years-old to eventually leading the very center that helped her to heal. Brennan reminds us that grief and love can exist side by side, and that we carry the people we’ve lost with us, always.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Brennan Wood first came to Dougy Center (the National Grief Center for Children & Families) in 1987 after her mother died just days after her 12th birthday. Brennan became Dougy Center’s Executive Director in 2015, after serving in various roles since 2004. She is the author of A Kids Book About Grief and holds leadership roles with The Children’s Collaborative and the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. Brennan received the 2020 Light-a-Fire Award for Extraordinary Executive Director and the 2022 Women of Influence Award. Brennan loves to honor her mother’s legacy by making every day a celebration. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 3:11The Power of Trying New Things | Hazel Beaver | TEDxKids@ElCajonWhat if one small “yes” could change everything? In this inspiring TEDx talk, second-grader Hazel Beaver shares how stepping onto a stage (even when she was nervous) taught her the power of trying new things. From building confidence to boosting mental health, Hazel shows that facing fears can lead to amazing opportunities, big and small. Her message is simple: when life gives you the chance to try something new, take it!This student developed their talk as part of the TED-Ed Student Talk Program in Cajon Valley Union School District. The purpose of TEDxKidsElCajon is to help develop and amplify student voices in our community to empower our youth by creating space for them to share their ideas, bringing awareness to their experiences, and advocating their perspectives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.tedxkidselcajon.com and https://www.ted.com/tedx Hazel is a 2nd grade student in Cajon Valley Union School District. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:28What is Your Happy Place? | Frida Balcazar | TEDxKids@ElCajonWhere’s your happy place? In this uplifting TEDx talk, Frida Balcazar shares how Disneyland became her personal “happiest place on earth” and how anyone can find and carry their own happy place wherever they go. Through stories, imagination exercises, and practical tips, Frida shows how connecting to a place, memory, or activity you love can boost joy, ease stress, and help you through life’s ups and downs.This student developed their talk as part of the TED-Ed Student Talk Program in Cajon Valley Union School District. The purpose of TEDxKidsElCajon is to help develop and amplify student voices in our community to empower our youth by creating space for them to share their ideas, bringing awareness to their experiences, and advocating their perspectives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.tedxkidselcajon.com and https://www.ted.com/tedx Frida is a 5th grade student in Cajon Valley Union School District. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:26Pages, Not Pixels | Amy Murdock | TEDxKids@ElCajonWhat if the greatest treasure you could ever find wasn’t gold or jewels, but a book? In this inspiring bilingual TEDx talk, sixth-grader Amy Murdock shares how learning to read in both Spanish and English opened up new worlds, boosted her learning, and helped her see the value of stepping away from screens. From Walt Disney’s words to personal stories about her reading journey, Amy invites us all to discover the magic waiting on the pages of a book, no battery required.This student developed their talk as part of the TED-Ed Student Talk Program in Cajon Valley Union School District. The purpose of TEDxKidsElCajon is to help develop and amplify student voices in our community to empower our youth by creating space for them to share their ideas, bringing awareness to their experiences, and advocating their perspectives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.tedxkidselcajon.com and https://www.ted.com/tedx Amy is a 6th grade student in Cajon Valley Union School District. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 9:09Brilliant Minds Erased? The Hidden Crisis of ADHD Misdiagnosis in China | Beck Yang | TEDxBISZ YouthWe often imagine dystopia as high-tech surveillance or crumbling societies. But sometimes, it’s simply a child struggling to focus, mislabeled as lazy, and denied the help they need. Beck will explore how stigma, silence, and systemic gaps are quietly erasing neurodivergent lives in China. I am Beck, currently studying at BASIS International School in my junior year. I have been in this large community for 10 years. Verbal communication is always the first priority at our school; we have unique policies regarding speaking English. It is my honor to represent our school as one of the speakers for the TEDx speech. Besides doing speeches, I am also interested in debate, basketball, running, etc. My speech is actually about my experiences with ADHD and how I view this disorder in a positive way. I hope to help other people better understand this condition in China and how it can be regulated. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:21Rest Is Rebellion: Fighting Burnout Culture | Teresa Suen | TEDxBISZ YouthIn a world that celebrates burnout as productivity, rest becomes rebellion. Teresa will reveal how the quiet pressure to succeed at all costs is creating a generation of exhausted students — and how choosing wellness over work might be the most radical act of all. Teresa Suen, a 10th grader who balances a life filled with academics, passions, and quiet self reflection, goes everywhere: from drawing in art class to speaking on stage, then spiking a volleyball while secretly thinking about math problems in the back of her mind. Often the first to arrive at school and the last to leave, she’s also been known to be chased out by teachers at the end of the day. As an active NHS member, she pushes herself not just because she has to, but because she believes that progress starts with effort. Teresa spends most of her time studying, especially History, which is her weakest subject but has taught her the most about resilience. She describes herself as someone who might seem like a robot sometimes, but inside, she is someone growing, questioning, and slowly understanding that success isn’t just about grades. Teresa expresses her voice through TEDx, not as a perfect student, but as someone learning how to take control of her own story. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 6:21Passion as a Tool | Linda Xue | TEDxNewton North HSFinding passion in your work to drive you forward. Freshman at MIT, majoring in computer science and math. Graduated from the NNHS last year, class of 2024 This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
