Dr. Jonathan Jenkins ’02 on Resilience and Supporting One Another

How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself? The Epictetus quotation was displayed on the screen as boys filled the Smith Theater on September 24 for the year’s first Health and Wellness Hall. With everyone in their seats, Dr. Schaffer took to the stage to introduce Dr. Jonathan Jenkins ’02 who spoke to the boys about resilience and mental health, using the lens of his own experiences during and following his time at RL.

Jonathan is a clinical psychologist affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. He works with people of various ages and athletes at all levels, including the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He is also an instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School.

“The education you’re getting here will pay dividends elsewhere,” Jonathan stated, reflecting on his RL experience. Highlighting the rigorous academic program and the community, he reminisced about the life-long friendships and connections he fostered as a student. (In fact, fellow Class of 2002 alumnus Tim Pingree—longtime friend of Jonathan’s attended the talk, listening from the audience with the rest of the school.)

Jonathan touched on several key concepts, including making the most of each day, finding ways to center what inspires you, and continuing to nurture self-confidence and perseverance. “Find your why and believe in yourself,” he stated in front of a picture of the High-Performance Pyramid, which depicts one’s “why” or spiritual purpose at the apex.

His most important message, however, emphasized how critical support systems and relationships are, not only with others but with oneself. Speaking from first-hand experience, Jonathan noted, “The amount of human capital—the capacity to love, capacity to continue to be great human beings—in this room is immense.”

In closing, Jonathan led the school in an exercise that encouraged the community members to close their eyes, envision themselves achieving a goal, and recognize who was surrounding them and what actions helped them get there. The positive energy was palpable as students headed off to their first classes of the day surrounded by their friends, classmates, and teachers.