MI Healthy Youth Forum set for Jan. 31

January 9, 2024 1:30 pm
Mercer Island High School’s Nadia Slivinski, left, and Anna Mock jot down their thoughts on the “Our Hopes and Dreams for Mercer Island Youth” banner at the MI Healthy Youth Forum 2022. Some of the messages were, “strong, passionate, caring,” “empathetic, understanding, loving” and “responsible, loving, kind.” Andy Nystrom/ staff photo
Mercer Island High School’s Nadia Slivinski, left, and Anna Mock jot down their thoughts on the “Our Hopes and Dreams for Mercer Island Youth” banner at the MI Healthy Youth Forum 2022. Some of the messages were, “strong, passionate, caring,” “empathetic, understanding, loving” and “responsible, loving, kind.” Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Special to the Reporter

Today’s youth experience challenges and stress that are unique to this generation. In an effort to elevate the voices of Mercer Island youth and to learn ways to best support them, the city of Mercer Island Healthy Youth Initiative is hosting the annual MI Healthy Youth Forum from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

Students, parents, community members, educators and health professionals are invited to join the forum and engage in discussion. Forum attendees will: hear from Island students about challenges and pressures facing today’s youth; discuss ideas to best support Mercer Island youth mental health; and learn how to have important conversations with your teen/parent about health — stress, drugs/alcohol, mental health, expectations and more.

The forum will kick off with a recorded welcome by Jennifer B. Wallace, author of the book “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — And What We Can Do About It.” Wallace visited Mercer Island when conducting research for her recently released book. Wallace interviewed local students, families, educators and healthcare professionals to learn about the unique challenges Island youth are facing and included many of her findings in the book. Wallace also provides suggestions for how communities can counter the achievement culture pressure through creating a sense of belonging and mattering for youth in our homes and schools.

Forum participants will have the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions and hear from Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) staff about current youth trends and Mercer Island support programs and initiatives.

The MI Healthy Youth Forum is presented by the Mercer Island Healthy Youth Initiative, a project of the city of Mercer Island’s YFS Department. Program partners include the Mercer Island School District, Mercer Island PTA Council and the city of Mercer Island. Program funding is provided by grants secured by MIYFS from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

For more information or to register for the event, visit www.MIHealthyYouth.com.