The State of The Child forum brings together West Michigan educators, therapists and other childcare professionals. Panels discuss guidance, advice, and updates on the overall wellbeing of our youth through presentations with community experts and local teens. Topics include social media, substance abuse, and relationships.
Kali Jackson, a therapist and panelist, explains why events like this are so important.
“Really enhancing your education so that you’re able to combat these issues we’re talking about and be prepared, because something we talked about today is that mental health is health, so although the youth are experiencing it, we are too.”
Local teens have a seat at the table, too. Kit Taivaloja, a junior at Kenowa Hills, says events like this improves generational dialogue.
“The misunderstandings that adults can have. We’ll says something and then we’ll go to explain why we did it when adults ask and they’ll say we’re giving an excuse when we’re just giving our reasoning.”
Wedgwood President and CEO Dan Gowdy hopes gathering youth-focused stakeholders leads to stronger communities.
“We need new partnerships, new solutions, so we can address and be proactively addressing the problems that our kids are facing and that will affect them for a lifetime.”
