Mental Health, Materialism, and the Spiritual Life of Young Adults

Starlight Rays in Darkened Times: Seminars on Contemporary Topics

with Laura Scappaticci

Materialism is like a thick layer of smog, disconnecting us from the spiritual world and each other.  The strength of this negative force has been growing over the past few decades. At the same time, mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, violence, substance use, and suicide continue to rise in adolescents and young adults. Together we will explore the overlap of materialism and mental health and create strategies to disrupt materialism in our lives and the lives of our students.

Laura Scappaticci has worked in adult education and the non-profit sector for 25 years, creating programs and events for communities of learners and working one-to-one as an advisor, counselor and coach. She is currently the High School Counselor at the Sacramento Waldorf School, and previously served as the Director of Programs for the Anthroposophical Society in America. Through her podcast, That Good May Become, Laura investigates the ways anthroposophy informs and elevates today’s individuals while connecting with contemporary cultural innovations and concerns. Laura lives with her partner, three children, two cats, a dog, and a flock of five chickens in Northern California.