The American Dream Reconsidered
Summary
This panel explores the intersection of economic anxiety and mental health through AMERIGO, an upcoming documentary for PBS stations nationwide built from more than 1,000 interviews across all 50 states. Drawing on insights from the project, the discussion examines how the growing squeeze on America’s middle class is reshaping mental well-being, community cohesion, and long-term economic resilience. As families face rising housing costs, financial insecurity, and declining confidence in upward mobility, the pressures are increasingly visible in schools, workplaces, and communities. Educators are often the first to encounter these challenges, supporting students navigating housing instability, food insecurity, and broader economic uncertainty. These dynamics raise deeper questions about generational opportunity, social isolation, and the weakening of traditional support systems. The panel will explore how leaders across business, education, public media, and community organizations can work together to address these pressures. From teacher wellness initiatives and behavioral health training to partnerships connecting schools with local support services, the conversation will focus on scalable approaches that strengthen mental well-being while rebuilding pathways to opportunity.
- Format: Panel
- Category: Panel
- Event Type: panel
- Presented By: McCourt Entertainment
Contributors
- Nadja Lopez, PhD
- Dr. Nicholas Covino, PsyD
- Dolores Fernandez Alonso
- David McCourt
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