Young Adults in Crisis: Healing Together
A Powerful Innovative Approach to Healing Using Acupuncture and Group Communication
Young adults are facing unprecedented mental health challenges, and we are taking action.
Please read about our program below, and consider donating to our scholarship drive so students can attend our mentorship group that is a follow up to an amazing training we held in Los Angeles in November of 2023. Students want to drive this program forward. $250 will give one student the opportunity to attend 10 mentor sessions, and to change the world with this work!
With over 44% of teens and 25% of young adults (18-25) experiencing persistent sadness and mental health disorders annually, we are deeply moved by their cries for help.
The rising rates of mental health disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, among young adults are deeply concerning. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has shed light on the loneliness epidemic, emphasizing the importance of fostering social connections and building communities to enhance overall well-being. To tackle this crisis head-on, we are starting a national program dedicated to assisting young adults in navigating emotional crises through group acupuncture and dialogue.
Our program incorporates a facilitated dialogue process called Council, which encourages attentive listening, genuine expression, and compassionate communication. Group acupuncture for healing trauma is a powerful method for bringing people into a deeply calm state and restoring a positive sense of self. For young adults, it can help with focus, concentration and attention as well. By combining acupuncture and Council, we provide a unique and powerful therapeutic experience that addresses the collective nature of the challenges faced by young people.
We began the program with a Council training in Los Angeles on November 17-19. We had 23 attendees, many of them students. The reviews were tremendous. Mandi Bartelle wrote: "What a powerful weekend. The depth and connection that was created during our time in Council together made a deep impact on me and changed how I continue with my work. Diana combined many layers of healing that were both beautifully woven together and immediately useful in practice. It was a personal and professional joy to participate in this weekend, I’m truly grateful."
We are raising scholarship money so students can continue with mentorship and drive the program forward.
Doctoral students from Yo San University, through their organization Transformational Acupuncture for Youth, will be setting up the first clinics that are part of this program at Covenant House for Homeless Youth in Los Angeles.
When I told my colleague about this program to help young adults, she told me about her son in his 20s, who is bipolar, and suffering. She worries about him every day and every night. She is afraid of what he might do to himself. She started crying and said how much she wished she could have this for him.
The program is unique in that it provides a collective solution to a collective problem by combining community acupuncture, council dialogue practice, and self-help techniques to provide effective and affordable support. Led by experienced professionals, we offer a lifeline to those struggling with isolation, shame, and addiction, including those in recovery from the opioid crisis. Along with enhancing their emotional and physical health, this program helps young adults with focus, attention and concentration.
Young adults in Council circle with Circle Ways
Acupuncture Healing Treatment
Our program combines Chinese medicine with a group practice approach, offering young adults a supportive and non-judgmental environment to explore their emotional challenges and acquire new coping strategies.
Acupuncture serves as a physical somatic intervention that regulates the body and nervous system, enabling deeper processing, and having an impact on emotions as well as the physical body. It helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation, improved well-being, and the release of neurotransmitters that positively impact mood and stress levels. Council fosters deep understanding, respectful communication, and a sense of belonging, allowing participants to bridge divides, build connections, and navigate the complexities of their interconnected human experience.
We introduce additional protocols such as mindfulness-based practices, stress and trauma teachings, ear seeds on acupuncture points, and acupressure techniques.
Our innovative program is currently a start-up program of Acupuncturists Without Borders.
Yo San University in Los Angeles and Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture are committed to running sessions at their sites, and Circle Ways, a Council organization, will lend support and training, though financial backing is not yet available. We plan to invite more schools and organizations to join as partners.
Our program provides a crucial solution for young adults grappling with emotional crises. By combining group acupuncture and Council dialogue, our program offers a unique and cost-effective option that can lead to powerful breakthroughs. The partnership with Yo San University, Acupuncturists Without Borders, and Circle Ways ensures the program's credibility and expertise in trauma healing and community-based care. Together, we can empower young adults and create a national model that addresses the emotional well-being of our communities.
Join us in helping to heal young adults in crisis and build a brighter future for them. Together, we can make a difference.
Acupuncture Healing at
Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM
This program is led by Diana Fried, Founder of Acupuncturists Without Borders. For more details, please reach out to Diana Fried using the contact button below.
Please make a tax-deductible donation through Acupuncturists Without Borders (which is a 501c3 charitable organization) on this page (make sure to check the tip amount on GoFundMe and set it where you want, which can be zero) or you can also send a check to:
Acupuncturists Without Borders
3439 NE Sandy Blvd, #304
Portland, OR 97232
(memo on check: Healing Together)
Thank you for considering supporting our project! We truly appreciate your willingness to contribute. Every donation, regardless of the amount, plays a significant role in helping us bring this project to life. Your support helps demonstrate the interest and value that this project holds for our community.
In addition to monetary contributions, sharing the link to our project with your community is incredibly important. By spreading the word and raising awareness, you are helping us reach more potential supporters who may be interested in getting involved. We are grateful for any efforts made to share the project and extend our sincere thanks for your support.
See our website at acuwithoutborders.org. Connect with us on social media @acuwithoutborders.
See 1 minute video below with Diana Fried on "Overstuffed: The Plight of Young Adults"
Acupuncturists Without Borders:
Supporting Healing Around the World for 18 Years
AWB was founded in 2005 by Diana Fried after Hurricane Katrina. For nearly two decades, Acupuncturists Without Borders has been dedicated to delivering healing treatments across the globe. Since 2021, our impact has multiplied tenfold, reaching more communities in need than ever before.
We have responded to humanitarian crises, providing vital aid and support to refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. We strive to bring relief and comfort to those facing unimaginable challenges.
Circle Ways, our Council partner, has been a leader for over 30 years in delivering cutting-edge programs to schools, changing the lives of thousands of young people.
With your continued support, we can expand our reach, touch more lives, and make a lasting difference in communities around the world. Together, let's continue our mission of healing and compassion. Join us in making a difference today.
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