Breaking the Stigma
Teen Mental Health Summit
STOMP the Stigma: A Cry for Help!
Saturday, May 6
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WMU College of Health and Human Services
A Teen mental Health Summit
Stomp the Stigma is an event that creates a platform to bring awareness to teens, parents, educators, advocates, and the Black and Brown communities, nationwide, that will illuminate the mental health experiences of teen culture.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services
The summit is for teens, designed by teens, and will bring attention to teen mental health issues. Its curriculum is designed to help teens understand mental health issues, how they can manage and find support through mindfulness, art and other techniques so they can take ownership of their mental health challenges.
The event will create opportunities for greater discussion on current truths about teen mental health, the healing after gun violence, learning the power of artist expressions to overcome feelings of depression, learning technique to be present though mindfulness are topics that will be discussed during this summit. This information will help teens explore ways to navigate mental health spaces through positive outlets and build a teen community that advocates and supports the teen culture of mental health and mindfulness.
Schedule of Events
9-9:45 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast
9:45-10 a.m.
Welcome
10-11:15 a.m.
Morning Keynote
11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Breakout Session 1A and Breakout Session 1B
12:15-2 p.m.
Lunch, Expo, and College Tour
2-3:15 p.m.
Afternoon Keynote
3:25-4:15 p.m.
Breakout Session 2A and Breakout Session 2B
4:15-5 p.m.
Summary, Recruiting, and Raffle
Who should attend
- Youth grades 9-12
- Young adults up to 21
Featuring
- Keynote speakers
- Breakout Sessions
- Online registration
- Networking opportunities
Questions?
Rue Buckner, MS
The Synergy Health Center
UrbanZone Manager
(269) 323-1954
rueb@synergykzoo.org
Sponsors
Major sponsor, Stryker Johnston Foundation, and organizer Valarie Cunningham, the founder and CEO of The Synergy Health Center (SHC) and UrbanZone (UZ), a 501c3 non profit organization, has been passionately educating, empowering and equipping on black mental health for almost two decades. Facilitating community conversations, highlighting areas of stigma, and rebuilding courage, has been a worthy cause to champion. The UrbanZone is the youth and family arm of the SHC. UZ’s mission is to empower this generation to live life on purpose. As an African American woman, announcing the first Breaking the Stigma: Teen Mental Health Summit, in partnership with Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services, brings a new level of excitement and attention to black and brown teen mental health challenges.
