To address the current youth mental health crisis, the Coalition worked with our partners, the Chris Collins Foundation and University of Rhode Island, Human Development & Family Science Dept., to secure authentic youth engagement through local focus groups and the establishment of a Youth Advisory Council. Through this effort, we have elevated the voices of local youth to not only inform the Washington County community about the realities and pressures of growing up today, but support youth in creating a local ACTION PLAN for mental well-being. 

Members of the Youth Advisory Council presented their ACTION PLAN at a Youth Mental Health Summit on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Swan Hall Auditorium at the University of RI in Kingston.  Over 80 community stakeholders participated in the Summit, including local legislators, town council members, school administrators, mental health providers, health providers and insurer, social service agencies, youth program leaders, child advocates, and parents. To see a recording of the event, go here.  

The 4-part ACTION PLAN generated by youth has little to do with mental health services or wellness programs and more to do with ways we, as adults and a community, can promote healthy adolescent development: 

• protecting youth from the harms of social media,
• tempering the pressures and expectations we place upon teens,
• providing more safe-spaces for young people to seek support and discover who they are/want to become, and finally,
• assuring adults surrounding youth feel comfortable about and have the skills needed to help young people address mental health challenges they may be facing.

We were thrilled and proud to see Youth Advisory Council  members present the youth focus group findings and their ACTION PLAN at the Summit. 

For more information, view the complete Summit Report below.

Summit-ACTION PLAN Booklet-5.23