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When searching for solutions to barriers and challenges, we believe those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. According to a recent survey from Hopeful Empowered Youth, 39% of surveyed youth reported feeling anxious all or most of the time, yet 91% of parents view their child’s mental health as good, very good, or excellent. This disconnect highlights the need for adults to better understand the challenges youth face.
To address this discrepancy, we joined Fox19's BREAKING THE SILENCE: Teens Fighting Suicide campaign with Crossroads Church and The Joe Burrow Foundation. We asked young people in the Greater Cincinnati Region to create a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) to answer the question: “What do you wish the adults in your life knew about mental health?”
Hundreds of students came together to submit over 60 PSA’s. Three finalists were chosen and votes were cast to select a winner, which aired live during Super Bowl LIX.
The top themes that emerged from the videos were the struggle to ask for support, a lack of understanding from parents and caregivers, and the often invisible nature of mental illness. These align with what Hopeful Empowered Youth of Greater Cincinnati (HEY!) found in their Greater Cincinnati Youth Mental Well-Being Collaborative Needs Assessment.
Youth have the insight and experience to identify factors impacting their mental health. Adults must step up to validate these experiences, offer non-judgmental support, and address these concerns effectively. Our partners at HEY! have found that youth overwhelmingly express a desire to feel seen and valued, yet many lack trusted adults who truly listen without minimizing their struggles.
Other barriers youth identified in the report include feeling disconnected from their community and others, contemporary social issues, and a lack of a sense of community safety from systemic issues of violence and discrimination. While these barriers can feel overwhelming, it is imperative to focus on actionable solutions.
Youth have done the difficult work of expressing their everyday experiences and struggles in words, like in the Greater Cincinnati Youth Mental Well-Being Collaborative Needs Assessment and the videos below. It’s up to professionals, caregivers, parents, providers, and community members to do their part to create an accessible, welcoming world where youth have the opportunity and skills to thrive. Here is what youth in the Greater Cincinnati region had to say about:
The struggle to ask for support: Gina Jasinoski: St. Bernard High School. “Break Your Silence” Cole Rensberger (Winner): Wyoming High School. “The Field” Jaxin Kuhlman: Warren County Juvenile Detention Center. “Empathy” Lack of understanding from parents and caregivers: Swita Aley (Finalist): Fairfield High School. “Seek and Understand” Olivia Griffith (Finalist): DePaul Christo Ray High School. “One of Billions” The invisible nature of mental illness: Alaina Kuhn: Highlands High School. “People” Bridget Brennen: Dixie Heights High School. “You Can Be the Difference” Elle Riva: Mason High School. “You Are Not Alone”
Share or view the full playlist of these videos at this link.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, text or call 988.
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