Education Summit

This year, we're going somewhere we haven't been before: we're tackling some of the biggest youth areas of concern of both today and tomorrow. We're looking for subject matter experts to contribute their knowledge and skills to social workers, counselors, chemical dependency professionals, peer support workers, students, and more. We also plan to include youth in our program as well to provide perspective to our conversations and learning throughout the day.

Why did we choose youth mental health and wellbeing? There are approximately 25.8 million teenagers living in the United States. That’s millions of young people who are dealing with a rapidly changing world shaped by technological advancements, social media influences, academic pressures, and societal expectations. At its core, understanding youth mental health requires an appreciation for the unique challenges and complexities that adolescents face during this pivotal stage of their lives. 

Here are a few stats to put things into perspective:

  • 1 in 5 youth had at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. Over half of them – nearly 3 million youth - did not receive treatment. 
  • 13% of youth ages 12-17 reported experiencing serious thoughts of suicide. 
  • 9% of youth in the U.S. had a substance use disorder in the past year. 
  • 22.2% of teens report being bullied at school.
  • Youth mental health hospitalizations increased by 124% from 2016 to 2022.

Call For Proposals

Target areas include:

  • Common mental health disorders (prevelance and treatment of anxiety, depression, etc.)
  • Youth substance use
  • The impact of trauma on young brains
  • Suicide and self-harm
  • LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC youth-specific challenges
  • Screen dependence
  • Technology and social media
  • Youth peer support
  • Effects of bullying and strategies for treatment
  • Impact of environmental stressors such as socioeconomic status, cultural expectations, and societal norms
  • Involvement with/impact of the juvenile justice system
  • Unhoused youth
  • Recognizing unhealthy behaviors (interpersonal violence)
  • Using the arts to engage when traditional methods aren’t working 
  • Supportive mental health services

Click here to learn more and submit a proposal

Due February 28th


2024 Program Sponsors

 

Tier 1 Sponsors:

                         

 

Tier 2 Sponsors:

                         

       

Tier 3 Sponsors: