2025 ​​​​Children's Mental Health Week - Listen to Youth

​​​​Children's Mental Health Week 2025 Materials

Our focus this Children's Mental Health Week is simple, but so important – Listen to youth. Everywhere, from intentionally inviting their opinions in things that affect them to one-on-one opportunities for conversation and connection, seeking youth voice matters. ​

When youth have a say in the things that involve them, their mental health and well-being improves. Youth Voice fosters mental well-being because it activates social skills, a sense of belonging and connection, and decision-making skills.

See more data on the value of Youth Voice in our  Data Bite. 

​

Governor Evers declares May 4 - 10, 2025 as Children's Mental Health Week in the State of Wisconsin!  See the Proclamation​.

What's on the Minds of Wisconsin Youth:

​​​Youth shared these thoughts at our Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summits in 2025 and 2024. ​​

Top Stressors for Youth Today 

Academic press​​ure and achievement cult​​​ure top the list. 

​​​​

Mental Wellness

Balance, support, and safety are key elements to a strong foundation in mental wellness.

Youth Belonging at School 

Youth recommend less judgement and more kind, inclusive school cultures to improve youth belonging at school.

Starting Early​ 

High school students agree that addressing mental wellness should start earlier. They share thoughts on how to address it in middle school.

​

Youth Advice to Other Youth 

Teens share uplifting reminders for their peers across Wisconsin. 

What Youth Want Adults to Know​ 

We asked youth what they want adults to know about their mental health, ​and overwhelming, they simply want to be heard.

Activities for Mental Wellness

Coping with stress is a critical life sk​ill. Youth shared their top strategies to maintain their mental wellness:  Coping Skills Compilation​ 

Breathe - Image Breathe - PDF	Playing a Game - Image Playing a Game - PDF	Music - Image Music - PDF	Movies - Image Movies - PDF

Talk to a Friend - Image Talk to a Friend - PDF	Go Outside - Image Go Outside - PDF	Journal - Image Journal - PDF	Coping Strategies - Image Coping Strategies - PDF

How to Elevate Youth Voice

Be intentional about including their voice in your work. Below are a few key resources on how to incorporate youth voice in your organization or school:

•  Teen's Tips for Partnering with Youth - PATCH & Great Lakes MHTTC
•  Top Ten Tips for Engaging with Young People - AMP & Pathways
• Authentic Youth Engagement within Organizations: What Does It Look Like In Practice - Chapin Hall
• Explore more resources on the OCMH website
  
  ​
  

Additional Children's Mental Health Resources

• Social Media Posts – Find ready-made posts​ to share on social media. Or, look to our expansive Image Library​!
• Press Release – Customize this press release and send to your local media.
• Data Presentation – Know the key children's mental data and talk about it. This data presentation​ is ready for you to use. 
• Key Facts in Youth Mental Health – A one-page data snapshot of the mental health challenges facing Wisconsin’s youth, including rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidality.
  

​

​​