The city of Rochester has launched a youth mental health initiative in preparation for the upcoming summer break. The initiative begins with a community survey that aims to identify factors affecting the overall well-being of teenagers in the city. Questions on the survey include inquiries about safety at home, school, and in the neighborhood, as well as eating habits and housing reliability.
After identifying areas of concern through the survey, the initiative will transition into its next phase, which involves organizing peer-led workshops focusing on key areas of concern identified in the survey responses. These workshops will be led by teens who are part of Mayor Malik Evans’ Youth Advisory Council, also known as Youth Voice One Vision.
Sarah Adams, a youth activist and council member, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the initiative and encouraged all city youth to participate in the survey to contribute to improving their own mental health. The peer-to-peer mental health program is a collaboration between the city government and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, with this summer serving as a soft launch and next year as a full rollout.
Mayor Evans expressed his support for the initiative, stating that youth mental health is a crucial conversation for the community to have. He highlighted the role of youth in shaping a brighter future for Rochester and urged teens, parents, recreation center staff, and teachers to complete
