Coalition To Empower Our Future Releases New Ads: Clarence & Lasting Solutions

Spots Highlight Comprehensive Solutions to the Complex Youth Mental Health Challenge That Can Support Parents and Young People

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF), a growing partnership focused on understanding the complexity of factors and solutions surrounding youth mental health and wellbeing, today launched two ads, “Clarence” and “Lasting Solutions.” The new spots highlight solutions to the complex youth mental health challenge that can help address challenges facing young people in a comprehensive and lasting way.

The first spot features Clarence Smith, an assistant principal at an intermediate school, former softball and basketball coach and father of two daughters from Virginia. Clarence speaks to the wide range of factors contributing to youth mental health challenges, including stress at home, falling behind in school and overuse of devices, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive solutions to better support young people and empower parents.

The second spot, “Lasting Solutions,” details the many existing solutions that can help young people and their families, including stronger school-community partnerships, expanded access to mental health support, increased opportunities for activity, sports and outdoor play, digital and media literacy education and greater family and community awareness. The ad advocates for strengthening and expanding access to these solutions as part of a comprehensive approach to solving the youth mental health challenge.

“Teachers and parents alike understand how complex the youth mental health challenge can be,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “The encouraging news is that many effective solutions already exist through schools, nonprofits and community organizations. By continuing to strengthen and connect these efforts, we can ensure more children and families benefit from the existing supports that can help young people to be happy, safe and healthy. While there’s no singular solution, and there is still much more work to be done, these solutions are making a real difference for families every day.”

Learn more about the importance of comprehensive solutions by visiting: empowerourfuturecoalition.com/solutions.

Clarence Script:

I’m an assistant principal at an intermediate school and a former softball and basketball coach. I’m also the father of two daughters.

Keeping my students and children happy and safe is my top priority.

But too many kids today are struggling…

From stuff at home, to falling behind in school and the overuse of devices.

There are many factors contributing to the youth mental health challenge, and they should all be taken into account.

We need comprehensive solutions to support parents and kids.

Watch “Clarence” here.

Lasting Solutions Script:

Youth mental health is a complex challenge that requires comprehensive solutions.

We must strengthen after-school programs.

We must make digital literacy tools available in our schools.

We must work with mental health professionals to support children…

And we must empower mentors, educators and parents to keep kids happy.

Learn more about our commitment to finding lasting solutions at EmpowerOurFutureCoalition.com/Solutions.

Watch “Lasting Solutions” here.

About the Coalition to Empower our Future

Coalition to Empower our Future is a newly formed organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Family Services at the U.S. and former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future. Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, is a health executive and clinician who serves as an expert advisor to the coalition.

To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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