White House visit: Black Jacksonville students talk mental health, suicide of peers

Twenty-five Black student leaders from Jacksonville recently participated in a White House meeting about Black youth mental health and suicide. The group from the Jacksonville-based I’m a Star Foundation‘s leadership program for students ages 12 to 18 was invited to the Sept. 18 Black Youth Mental Health Convening in Washington. They spoke at both the White House Office of Public Engagement and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. They also discussed distracted driving at the National Transportation Safety Board, where former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is a board member. Their proposed locally based solutions include expansion of the foundation’s leadership training “to increase students’ resilience,” regional youth leader and youth mental health summits led by I’m A Star students and student-led “Mindful Midweek” stress-relief sessions broadcast in schools. Other options are development of an EmpowerME wellness app for teens; youth mental health clubs in schools; and expansion of the I’m A Star mental health toolkits. “I was beyond impressed and proud,” foundation founder and board chairwoman Betty Burney said. “The students passionately shared their insights and proposed solutions to help their peers manage stress, anxiety and the crucial decision to choose life.” The ...