Youth Voice Promotes Mental Health
The Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) emphasizes youth leadership because it activates the very skills that promote and protect mental health:
- Cultivates decision making skills and persistence to achieve goals
- Develops social skills, interpersonal skills, social competence and social capital
- Provides a sense of belonging, connection alongside a sense of agency and autonomy
Research shows that elevating youth voice is central to improving their well-being, and youth have told us they have ideas they want to share.
Youth Leadership In Action
In April 2024, the Office of Children's Mental Health hosted student-led programs from 44 Wisconsin high schools in-person to collaborate and learn together. Watch the short video recap of the Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit, or see the featured speakers in our extended video recap:
Recognizing that young people are the experts on youth mental health, insights provided by high school student leaders were compiled from submissions shared at the Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit:
Youth Share their Advice with Other Youth - Elevating the reminders teens want to share with one another.
What Youth Want Adults to Know - See what youth want supportive adults to understand about mental health.
Learn more about school-based peer-led wellness programs in Wisconsin.
Youth Listening Session Recommendations
Young people from across Wisconsin have participated in over eight Youth Listening Sessions hosted by OCMH since 2020. See below the recommendations and insights gained from some of the sessions:
Youth Listening Session Recommendations for Action - The report offers 11 recommendations for organizations and leaders to implement, including:
- Create youth leadership opportunities in school as well as community organizations.
- Connect mental health to other activities and curriculum.
- Remember that not everything you see online is real
- The person you are on the internet should be someone you are proud of in real life
Partnering With Youth
In order to meaningfully engage and empower youth leaders, there must be genuine partnerships between young people and supportive adults in a safe and respectful environment. Ample opportunities to plan and make decisions, as well as shape policy and practice, are also key components to youth leadership.
OCMH is encouraging individuals and organizations throughout the state to meaningfully engage and empower youth leaders. 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:
If you have difficulty accessing our materials, or using our website, please let us know by emailing OCMH@wi.gov. We take digital accessibility seriously and welcome the opportunity to remove any barriers in accessing content.