The 2nd Annual Youth Mental Health Summit, hosted by the Washington County Coalition for Children (WCCC), brought together teens, parents, educators, and community leaders on Monday, May 19 at the University of Rhode Island. As part of the national CenTEENial: Year of the Teen movement, the event celebrated the power of youth leadership in shaping mental wellness solutions.

This year’s summit theme, “Cultivating Resilience: Youth-Led Solutions for Mental Wellness in Washington County,” was brought to life by an extraordinary lineup of seventeen teen leaders who shared insights, sparked dialogue, and called for collective action. Hannah Paolino, Aashni Amin, and Ella Martin, representing the Youth Advisory Council, shared a powerful reflection on last year’s summit, highlighted key progress from 2024, and outlined their bold vision for youth mental health in 2025 and beyond.

Teen moderator Rylie Whitten expertly guided a panel featuring her peers Ella Procaccianti, Brendan Gleason, and Sara Clarke alongside supportive adult allies. Together, they fielded thoughtful and emotionally resonant questions about what it means to create truly youth-driven spaces. The teens’ honest, wise, and passionate responses stood out and struck a chord with the ~100 member audience..

“These students did more than present, they instilled hope and inspired,”said Susan Orban, WCCC Director. “They didn’t just talk about mental health; they modeled the resilience, leadership, and creativity it takes to improve it for their generation,” she added.

Keynote speaker Steve Heath, Executive Director of FabNewport, delivered a moving address on the importance of amplifying youth voices and co-creating environments where young people thrive. He shared real-life stories of teens from FabNewport who have risen to leadership when given trust, tools, and space. His message was clear: When adults step back, listen deeply, and support rather than direct, youth rise in remarkable ways.

The evening was marked by connection, emotion, and energy, each moment grounded in the belief that young people are not just our future, but our present. Feedback from attendees described the event as “inspiring,” “transformative,” “hopeful,” and “a model for how listening to teens can truly affect the community.”

“The Youth Mental Health Summit is a reminder that teens know what they need,” said Sue K. Adams PhD, Chair of the WCCC Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board. “When adults respond by providing teens with spaces to grow and interact, we see the flourishing of meaningful and authentic interactions. This is the true definition of community, and strong engagement in local communities is vital for people across the lifespan. When we give teens spaces to elevate their voices, they become emerging leaders in their communities and we all benefit.”

The event was organized by the WCCC in partnership with the URI College of Health Sciences and The Chris Collins Foundation.

To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council or to get involved in future initiatives, contact Susan Orban at wccc@washcokids.org.