This virtual event honored World Mental Health Day with the theme “Creating Safe Spaces for Young Voices to Be Heard.” Building on the success of the 2023 Black Youth Wellness Summit and the rescheduled “Let’s Talk Youth Mental Health” event, this summit offered a vital platform for young people to discuss their mental and emotional well-being.
The summit engaged participants aged 14-21 from a broad spectrum of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in a dynamic and interactive dialogue. Experts in youth mental health, including a school-based practitioner, will be present to address questions and provide insights. Educators, coaches, parents, ministry and other youth leaders, advocates, mental and public health practitioners, and other youth-serving stake-holders are invited to listen and hear from the youth.
In North Carolina, the need for such a platform is particularly pressing. Recent data reveals that approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 12-17 experience a mental health disorder, while 30% of high school students report feeling persistently sad or hopeless. Alarmingly, North Carolina ranks 6th in the nation for youth suicide rates, underscoring the urgent need for accessible mental health resources and open dialogue.
The summit, held during a school day to accommodate students who face social and economic barriers, will see students from selected schools in designated rooms with their teachers or administrators. This approach ensures that students who might otherwise be unable to join the conversation have the opportunity to engage meaningfully. Several high schools have already committed to participating, and attendees are expected to join from surrounding counties, other states, and even internationally.
The Summit Provided:
- A safe space for young people from diverse backgrounds to have their say – share what’s on their hearts and minds about their mental and emotional wellbeing
- Open Forum / Q & A concerning what works and does not work to support youths and their families of diverse cultures though their journey of healing
Topics Included:
- Violence and Abuse
- Grief and Loss
- Self-Harm
- Social Media
- Pressure to Succeed
- Nutrition and Mental Wellness
- Youth Peer Support