East Grand Rapids — Students today may be tempted to aim for perfection — to be fearful of making mistakes and to try to get everything right the first time. But that might not be what’s best for their mental health.
So says Lauren Ahlers, the district’s wellness coordinator. Ahlers will discuss the matter further during her upcoming presentation, “Raising Resilient Achievers: Striving for Success Without the Cost of Perfectionism,” which takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the East Grand Rapids High School Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Drive SE.
The free event for students and families is part of the district’s Community Connections series, which in the past has tackled topics like substance use and the effects of social media on mental health.
During the presentation, Ahlers will talk about how to set one’s sights on success while avoiding the pitfalls of perfectionism.
“We really wanted to focus on helping our youth, from kindergarten up through 12th grade, to be able to have really good conversations starting at home and entering the school day that really focuses on healthy striving versus doing everything perfectly, which is not a realistic goal for anybody,” Ahlers said.
The idea that it’s unhealthy to strive for perfection might clash with people’s perceptions about what education is all about, Ahlers said, but that’s why the presentation is important.
“Perfectionism is often worn as a badge of honor, especially in high-achieving communities and even in some corporations,” she said. “But when we look at the research on perfectionism, it really does contribute to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder.”
Read more from East Grand Rapids:
• Activity gives first-graders a chance to be in charge
• Developing interest in the darkroom
