A Generation at Risk: Why Local Action in Mental Health Matters Now
A Generation at Risk: Why Local Action in Mental Health Matters Now
Ajani Doss
10th Grade, Poe Youth Empowerment Team Member
Poe Center for Health Education
Imagine being a teenager in a world that never stops asking for more. Imagine the pressure of a classroom, the noise of social media, and the weight of the future hitting you all at once.
Youth mental health is one of the most critical issues of our time. To be passionate about youth mental wellness means understanding that we are working our way through a mix of academic pressure, social media dynamics, and real-world uncertainties for which we had no way to prepare.. Our emotional well-being directly shapes our ability to learn, connect, and thrive. Healing youth mental health is not optional: it is the difference between a broken future and a surviving generation.
Right now, our generation is at a breaking point. The increase in youth suicide rates are deeply alarming. Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death among young people, representing a devastating impact on families and communities. What makes this crisis especially concerning is that many struggles remain hidden under the surface. Shame, stigma, and fear of judgment often prevent young people from asking for help when they need it most.
Fortunately, youth have the incredible power to support one another. Friends are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior, mood, or engagement. We can support our peers by practicing active listening, validating feelings without offering immediate judgment, and checking in regularly. Most importantly, supporting a friend means knowing when to involve a trusted adult, school counselor, or crisis line, reminding peers that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Getting involved in suicide prevention efforts turns empathy into meaningful action. Young people can advocate by starting or joining mental health awareness clubs at school, organizing stress-relief activities, and sharing crisis support resources such as the 988 Lifeline. We can make a local impact by participating in community events such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks or NAMI Mental Health Awareness Walks. We can also take active roles by completing mental health training programs like Teen Mental Health First Aid to better recognize and support peers in distress.
By speaking openly about mental health, encouraging open dialogues, and challenging social stigma, youth can help create safe environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. We must stop the silence and start the support because when a young person has a clear mind, they have the power to choose a better future.
References
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Out of the Darkness Walks. Out of the Darkness Walks.
Johnson, J. V. (2023, November). Teen suicide. Your Health Magazine. Teen suicide.
Mental Health First Aid USA. (2024, October 14). 10 ways to help someone who is struggling with their mental health. 10 ways to help someone who is struggling with their mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Featured Program for Adults:
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help adolescents (ages 12-18) who are experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or are in crisis.
YMHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Learn more about this evidenced and research based program from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
The Poe Center regularly offers mental wellness workshops for adults and youth. Find a list of upcoming events on our “Events” page.
Schedule this program for: Parents, Caregivers, and Other Youth Serving Adults
Program Length: 7 Hours
Featured Program for Youth:
tMHFA teaches high school students (ages 15-18) how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. The training gives youth the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over as necessary. It is designed to be delivered in schools or community sites. Learn more about this evidenced and research based program from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Schedule this program for: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Program length: six 45-minute sessions or three 90-minute sessions
The Poe Center regularly offers mental wellness workshops for adults and youth.
Find a list of upcoming events on our “Events” page.
Celebrating 35 Years of Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies at the Poe Center
Celebrating 35 Years of Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies at the Poe Center
Emma Hardy
Development & Communications Specialist
Poe Center for Health Education
This year, the Poe Center is celebrating 35 years of calling our campus home and the heart of health education in North Carolina. Since opening our doors in 1991, the Poe Center has helped make our state healthier by empowering children, youth, and adults with the knowledge and confidence to build lifelong habits that support both mental and physical well-being. This milestone brought to life a vision generated in the early 1980s by members of the Wake County Medical Society Auxiliary (now the Alliance). This passionate group of community leaders and allies recognized the critical need for health education and imagined a North Carolina where everyone could lead healthy lifestyles.
Thanks to their bold vision, the Poe Center has become a learning lab for health education where science, art, and technology come together in immersive, accessible experiences. From reimagining our beloved PlayWELL Park to building high-tech, high-touch cooking and gardening theaters and transforming our campus into a canvas of vibrant artwork, we continually reinvent how our spaces teach and inspire. Every corner evolves with purpose, adapting to meet the changing health needs of our community.
Interested in learning more about our history?
Be a part of the celebration! Join us on Thursday, September 17 at the Poe Center, for a special anniversary event. Enjoy delicious food and drinks, explore exclusive experiences, and celebrate the impact that the Poe Center has made on the state of North Carolina.
During the evening guests will enjoy delicious food and drink, live cooking demonstrations, access to our state of the art theaters and exhibits, a silent auction filled with items from local businesses, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Last but certainly not least, the Poe Center is thrilled to unveil a new Cranium Connection program, designed especially for middle and high school students.
You won’t want to miss out on celebrating our milestone!
Thanks to the generous support of Diana and Betsy Mead of the Mead Family Foundation, the Poe Center is introducing a second brain-science program designed specifically for middle and high-school students. “Cranium Connection: Part 2” follows teenagers through various scenarios, demonstrating how everyday choices influences brain development and empowering them to take charge of their mental well-being. Projection-mapping technology illuminates different regions of the brain as various activities engage them.
In addition to the Mead Family Foundation, we want to thank our Annual Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and Silent Auction Donors for helping to bring this event to life and help us celebrate 35 years of healthy minds
and healthy bodies.
This work is not possible without the support of our donors, community partners, and generous sponsors. At the Poe Center, kids don’t just learn about health – they experience it, building the habits and confidence for a lifetime of wellness. Your gift opens doors to more children, more impact, and more lifelong healthy choices.
So please, join us in celebrating 35 years of the Poe Center, as we celebrate the past and look into the future to what’s next.
Featured Program:
The Poe Center is introducing a second brain-science program designed specifically for middle and high-school students. “Cranium Connection: Part 2” follows teenagers through various scenarios, demonstrating how everyday choices influence brain development and empowering them to take charge of their mental well-being. Projection-mapping technology illuminates different regions of the brain as various activities engage them.
Upcoming Event:
Join the Board of Directors, staff, and friends of the Poe Center for Health Education as we celebrate 35 years of visionary health education in North Carolina.
Since opening our doors in 1991, the Poe Center has helped make our state healthier by empowering children, youth, and adults with the knowledge and confidence to build lifelong habits that support both mental
and physical well-being.
Join us to celebrate 35 years of healthy minds and healthy bodies at the Poe Center!
