Supporting Parents With Meaningful Solutions for Youth Mental Health

Young people today seem to be navigating more pressures than ever, from packed schedules and academic stress to economic instability. Parents and families are actively looking for solutions and resources that address their children’s unique needs and provide them the support they need to thrive.

That’s why our mission is to bring together the many perspectives and voices in this challenge, including those working with children every day and even young people themselves, to help identify and share tools and resources parents and families need to feel equipped to support their children. 

In our discussions with parents, educators, community leaders, mental health experts and more, we’re hearing about how many organizations are delivering parts of these comprehensive solutions, such as normalizing conversations around and expanding access to mental health support, building stronger school and community partnerships, and promoting media literacy education. By fostering these conversations, we aim to help connect parents and families with these practical tools, educational resources and shared learnings that empower them to support their kids in navigating today’s world with resilience and confidence. 

Watch

Script: 

My name is Glen Weiner, and I’m the executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. 

The Coalition to Empower our Future’s mission is to convene a comprehensive conversation about the multifaceted nature of youth mental health challenges. 

Academic pressures that start earlier and are more intense, over-programming kids, too many activities, not enough free play, free time. There’s economic instability, housing instability, sometimes food insecurity, social media, technology, devices speed everything up and it can feel very disorienting for these kids. 

There are challenges here, but there are also opportunities. 

We’re going to be hosting local events in many cities. We can bring together disparate voices to talk about the issue. 

Parents across the country, in our research, in our conversations, they’re crying out for these kinds of resources. 

They’re looking for solutions, and we hope that the coalition will help match them with those solutions. 

It’s critical for the Coalition to Empower our Future’s efforts to take a bipartisan approach. We need to take into account all perspectives. 

I’m the father of an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old, so this hits home. I am passionate about the mission because it’s personal to me.

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