Generational scholar and former Wright State University student Chuck Underwood has developed a new approach to behavioral healthcare.
Underwood is one of the few people that helped create the field of generational study. He has been teaching people to use generational strategies in customer service, marketing, workforce leadership and politics for almost 25 years.
During the War Against Terrorism following 9/11, Underwood worked with hospital, military and mental-health agencies for two years to figure out if generational studies could become a tool for professional clinicians to use in the treatment of returning veterans with behavioral health problems.
Underwood calls his method “The Generational Imperative.” This approach to behavioral healthcare argues that the clinician must be able to understand the different values, ideals, insecurities and worldviews of the living generations in order to treat a patient in the most effective way.
Especially where mental and behavioral healthcare is concerned, the generation gap is no mere crack in the sidewalk. America has five living generations: the G.I. Generation, the Silents, the Boomers, GenX and the first wave of Millenials (to which most current college students belong).
Each generation has had a very different life experience and has grown up in a different economic, political and social environment. These aspects of the generation gap must be taken into consideration for patients to receive proper treatment for behavioral issues including (but not limited to) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, obesity, depression, addiction, violence and suicide.
Underwood’s behavioral healthcare strategy is directed specifically to therapists, social workers, physicians and other healthcare workers as well as other caregivers and families.
His other Generational Strategies are commonly used by the A-list clients such as Proctor & Gamble, Macy’s, HP and the U.S. Military, for whom Underwood consults.
Chuck Underwood hosts the PBS television series “America’s Generations With Chuck Underwood.” He has also written a book called “The Generational Imperative: Understanding Generational Differences In The Workplace, Marketplace, and Living Room.” For more information, visit The Generational Imperative’s website at www.genimperative.com/.
