Youth Mental Health: A Conversation with Jackie Joyner-Kersee
As part of United Way’s 75th anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to host a virtual conversation with Lane County students and Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee March 1 about youth health and well-being.
This important discussion comes at a pivotal time –we know that locally and around the country, youth are struggling more than ever to manage stress and anxiety, in large part because of the impacts of the pandemic on young people.
Youth Health and Well-being
In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association joined together to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health. Additionally, the U.S. Surgeon General released a national advisory in December 2021 on protecting youth mental health. This declaration comes not only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in analysis of youth mental health rates in the decades preceding the pandemic.
In 2019, one in three high school students and half of female students nationwide reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, an increase of 40% from 2009.
Local numbers show a similar decline in youth mental health – a 2019 study in Lane County and the state of Oregon show that the percentage of students who would describe their mental health over the preceding 30 days as “good to excellent” has been steadily declining since 2013.
Recent research covering 80,000 youth globally found that depressive and anxiety symptoms doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms. These are the highest rates of youth mental illness that have ever been documented, both at the local level and nation-wide.
These statistics point to an important conclusion: now more than ever, students in our community are lacking the support they need to maintain their health.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee smiling and holding her Olympic medals.
Our Conversation with Jackie
Jackie Joyner-Kersee stands as an inspiration to students and athletes everywhere. A four-time World Champion, 6-time Olympic Medalist, and a current world-record holder in the women’s heptathlon, Jackie has certainly made her mark on the world of athletics. Her message of tearing down barriers and fighting for equity in all realms resonates with all who face challenges of their own. Jackie is an advocate for children’s education, health issues, racial equality, social reform and women’s rights.
Join us on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. for a virtual conversation with Jackie as she shares personal stories about the importance of mental and physical health, and how we can all persevere through challenging times. She will be joined by six local students for a discussion on youth health and well-being, and how the community can better support youth success. A Q&A period will also be offered for the general public attending the event.
“Youth health and well-being has long been a concern in our Lane County community, and the challenges have only been made worse by the pandemic. We’re eager to elevate these issues, hear from students, and find inspiration from Jackie’s story in the ways she has, and continues to, persevere through challenges.”
As a member of our Lane County community, we encourage you to join us for this important discussion. Together, we can build communities where every child succeeds in school and life.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:
Resources
Resources about Jackie Joyner-Kersee for parents and educators
Community Resources
*15th Night - preventing youth homelessness around Lane County
Bethel Health Center - individual, family, and group counseling within Bethel SD
Boris L. Henson Foundation - national organization that offers free therapy for Black/African American individuals and families
Center for Family Development - counseling for youth, families, and adults
*^Centro Latino Americano - mental health services
The Child Center - offers mental health assessments; family-oriented
^Direction Service - counseling services for children, teens, young adults, and adults
^Lane County Behavioral Health - treatments for children, families, and adults
Lane County’s Community Resilience Toolkit for Children, Youth, and Families
*Looking Glass - youth- and family-focused counseling services. Locations in Eugene, Cottage Grove, Junction City, Veneta, and Oakridge
NAMI Lane County - support, education, and advocacy for all individuals
^Odyssey Community Counseling - counseling services and addiction recovery
Orchid Health, Oakridge Clinic - medical, behavioral, and dental health in Oakridge
^Options Counseling - counseling locations in Eugene, Springfield, Florence, and outside Lane County
*Oregon Community Programs - counseling, training, resources, and outreach to families with children ages 4-17
Peacehealth Counseling Services - counseling for people of all ages, with clinics in Eugene and Florence
*South Lane Mental Health - counseling and services for children and adults in South Lane County
Steve Fund - national organization that offers crisis support for young people of color
Willamette Family, Inc - mental health treatment for adults and children
*Whitebird Clinic HOOTS - counseling services for youth
*organizations with an asterisk are United Way donor-funded partners.
^organizations with a caret offer Spanish-speaking services.