The Pressure Paradox: From Anxiety to Well-Being – Meet Keynote Speaker Dr. Danielle Roubinov
Emma Hardy
Development and Communications Specialist
Poe Center for Health Education
In partnership with UNC Health and WakeMED Health & Hospitals, join the Poe Center in its continued efforts to support the mental health and well-being of youth at the 2025 Annual Meeting and Conference. This year’s topic is The Pressure Paradox: From Anxiety to Well-Being.
The 2025 Annual Conference will focus on a holistic approach to addressing the epidemic of youth anxiety and stress. The event kicks off on Wednesday, September 10 at UNC Health Rex, with the VIP Reception & Annual Meeting.
On Thursday, September 11, the Poe Center and UNC Health are hosting a session of the Community Resiliency Model® (CRM), where participants will learn a set of biologically-based wellness skills aimed to reset the nervous system, and will be held at the Poe Center.
Then on Friday, September 12, the Health Education Conference with Keynote Speaker and Moderated Panel will be held at the WakeMed Andrews Conference Center.
Interested in attending? Register here.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Danielle Roubinov, is the Director of the Foundation of Hope Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program (CHAAMP), and an Associate Professor at the UNC School of Psychiatry.
Roubinov leads research to develop and disseminate interventions that prevent and treat mental health problems in youth. Her studies specifically focus on understanding how early experiences of stress or trauma can impact a young person’s development and well-being.
Similar to the Poe Center’s MindWELL mental wellness programs, Roubinov explores the role of risk and protective factors as they affect youth trajectories of mental health.
Roubinov received her Bachelor’s from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Master’s and PhD from Arizona State University. Her research is funded by state, federal, and private philanthropic funds. Roubinov and her husband recently became parents to their first son. She is looking forward to sharing more on the topic of anxiety and pressure during adolescence at the Annual Meeting and Conference in September.
Protective factors: characteristics that may decrease the likelihood of experiencing adverse childhood experiences (CDC, 2025).
Protective factors help to build positive outcomes in young people’s lives and can include social and emotional competence, self-efficacy, resiliency, positive social involvement, and much more.
One of the strongest protective factors that a young person can have is a positive relationship with at least one trusted adult. Teachers, doctors, religious leaders, neighbors, administrators, coaches, and family members can all serve as trusted adults in their communities. Young people are encouraged to identify five trusted adults whom they can count on.
As a trusted adult, you can help build up a young person’s protective factors and break down risk factors that can contribute to negative mental health outcomes.
Trusted adult: Someone that cares about you, is open to listen, and is reliable. Trusted adults have experience, knowledge, and the power to help you through challenging situations.
MindWELL programs offered by the Poe Center explore goal-setting strategies, conflict resolution, and self-care techniques to build skills for managing emotions and making responsible mental and emotional decisions.
Check out the featured MindWELL programs below, applicable across the lifespan and a perfect fit for all youth, families, and communities.
Featured Program:
Participants will explore how thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected and how to use a growth mindset to increase mental wellness. Identifying stress, positive management techniques, healthy decision making, and goal setting will also be explored. Engaging activities, such as positive affirmations, physical activities, and mindfulness exercises, are used to help participants develop stress management and wellness skills.
Program Participants: 6th-8th grade
Program Length: 60 minutes
Featured Program:
During this 90 minute program, participants will explore the positives and negatives of stress and the impact ongoing stress can have on their bodies. Attendees will be able to identify signs of stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Throughout the program, participants will learn tips and techniques that support self-care. These tools will help empower youth to develop a plan to decrease ongoing stress, promote a wellness routine, and to talk to trusted adults and support their peers.
Program Participants: 9th-12th grade
Program Length: 90 minutes
Featured Event:
The Pressure Paradox: From Anxiety to Well-Being
2025 Annual Meeting and Conference
Join the Poe Center in its continued efforts to support the mental health and well-being of youth.
The 2025 Annual Conference will focus on a holistic approach to addressing the epidemic of youth anxiety and stress.