SPEAKING OUT TO OFFER SUPPORT
Teen participants in the Kids’ Minds Matter Youth Initiative share their stories
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, America’s young people were struggling with mental health. “It was already an epidemic among our youth, and then the pandemic hit and just made it worse,” says Richard Keelan, child advocacy manager for Kids’ Minds Matter, an initiative of Lee Health to raise awareness and funds to increase access to pediatric mental and behavioral health care. “But those kids who were already at risk, who we were already sort of worried about, are the ones that have done the worst.”
The new Youth Initiative from Kids’ Minds Matter aims to address that epidemic by involving those most affected by it. The weekly group for youth ages 12 to 22 brings young people together to talk about mental health and the kind of support that’s needed. “When kids who receive services are able to participate and get their voices heard, the services get better,” says Keelan. “The Youth Initiative is about fostering a forum for the youth voice.”
Current participants have created a podcast called “The Escapable Cycle” to share their stories and offer advice and inspiration for other teens dealing with mental health challenges. “We’re using our experiences to help them with what they’re going through right now,” says Damini Parkhi, 18, a Youth Initiative member who has struggled with depression since middle school and anxiety since first grade. “Community is key, and it’s support that’s going to bring you out stronger.”
“I’m personally doing it because I’ve been in a dark place before, and I know what it’s like to go through something like that,” says Colton Bostwick, 17, who struggled with feelings of isolation during the pandemic. “I want to let other people
going through hard times know they’re not alone and try to help parents understand the experience of how teenagers can go through hard times and what they might be feeling.”
Helping to educate adults as well as teens is a crucial component of the podcast. “It was important that it wasn’t just about, ‘This is my story and this is how I got through it,’ but it was also very much about, ‘This is what I needed in the time while I was going through this,’” says Gabrielle Sholes, a public educator/child advocate for Golisano Children’s Hospital who leads the Youth Initiative meetings. “I think for parents and loved ones of those struggling, they often don’t know what to do, so that was a big message they [the teens] wanted to come across as well.”
Damini Parkhi was recently honored with The Courtnage Courage In Our Community Award by Lee Health and Kids’ Minds Matter, which recognizes a member of the community who has overcome odds to positively affect others. Parkhi has used her own story to build awareness, educate the community and give others who are struggling a voice.
Participants have created a podcast called “The Escapable Cycle” to share their stories and Offer ADVICE AND inspiration.