2nd Annual Youth Prevention Summit

Answering the Surgeon General’s Call to Action on ‘Protecting Youth Mental Health’:
Cultivating Emotional Champions and Change Agents

Day 2 Agenda
May 18th from 9:00 am -1:30 pm

Day two on May 18, 2022 brings youth and adults together. The morning will feature a panel discussion of “I Just Want To BE,” a mini-documentary developed, directed, and produced by the teens of Columbus, Ohio’s Youth to Youth Common Ground program. This project was developed to continue dialogue in our communities around the topic of racism and how it can contribute to mental health challenges. Then participants will work collaboratively on strategies that build on their strengths to create protective factors that improve mental health practices and reduce risk-taking behaviors. The afternoon will feature a presentation by the Student Equity Advisory Board and the State Student Advisory Council on Education.

Instructions: Use the zoom links below to join the sessions of your choice. Everyone should plan on attending the keynote session from 9:00-10:00. Next, choose one of the three available sessions to attend from 10:30 to 11:30. Finally, join us for the exciting afternoon activity

Zoom links will be available below on the day of the Summit.

Summit Downloads

Any downloadable handouts offered by our Summit presenters are available via Google Drive at https://serc.info/youthsummitdrive .

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. Welcoming Remarks and Keynote Address

Day 2: Answering the Surgeon General’s Call to Action: Cultivating Emotional Champions and Change Agents

Keynote 9:00-10:15 AM- Youth to Youth Documentary with panel discussion by film creators. “I Just Want To BE.” is a mini-documentary developed, directed, and produced by the teens of Columbus, Ohio’s Youth to Youth Common Ground program. This project is meant to continue dialogue in our communities around the topic of racism and how it can contribute to mental health challenges.

10:15 - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. WHO C.A.R.E.s (Adult participants)- Javier Sanchez

Young people gravitate toward, respond to, and are willing to learn from adults they believe truly C.A.R.E. about them. Before the learning and development process can begin, it is vital that we establish a culture of C.A.R.E. within our schools, programs, and communities. As adults, we have a responsibility to awaken this generation to the chances they have to experience academic and social success and to be an ally, guiding them through the choices they’re making every day to achieve that success. Participants will walk away with a new or renewed passion for youth engagement as well as impact tools and resources that are immediately applicable, engaging, relevant, and fun. It’s time to listen, react, share, and do our part to show our young people who C.A.R.E.s.

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Clear The Air (Youth & Adult participants) Ty Sells

Marijuana use is on the rise with high school students across the U.S. This increase is often attributed to a lowered perception of risk, assuming it is “no big deal” or even “safe.” Much of what youth believe is based on myths and organized talking points perpetuated by their peers, pro-legalization forces, and even the media. This workshop will examine strategies to get behind the smoke screen and engage youth in a conversation about marijuana. It is a conversation that is free of preaching and politics, but full of the relevant facts to assist youth in making their own healthier decisions.

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. The Outcome Workshop/ Having Difficult Conversations Workshop- (Youth participants)
This teen-designed and teen-led workshop addresses how to have difficult conversations with others. Through small and large group activities and discussions, teens will be given the opportunity to learn specific strategies to prepare themselves to navigate heated conversations in a way that produces better outcomes for everyone involved.
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch Break
12:30-1:30 p.m. Afternoon Activity & Closing Remarks

Afternoon presentation by the Student Equity Advisory Board and The State Student Advisory Council on Education on the following topics: Mental Health; Addressing implicit bias faced by LGBTQ students; and Gender bias and racial disparities in Connecticut schools

Participant Evaluation

At the end of the day, please complete our participant evaluation at https://serc.info/youthsummiteval