Well Beings Campaign Provides a Platform for Young People to Share Mental Health Stories and Find Resources Amid COVID-19 Crisis

OETA and Well Beings, the public media campaign to address critical health needs in America, announced today that they are hosting a free virtual event and discussion on youth mental health. The event, “Oklahoma in Crisis: Identifying and Preventing Teen Suicide,” will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 4 p.m. CST, with perspectives from local experts and young people. Visit WellBeings.org to stream the live event; tickets and/or registration is not required. Questions for the panelists can be left at Well Beings’ or OETA’s Facebook page.

Return To School and Mental Health

As Oklahoma’s teenagers return to school, it’s more important than ever for parents, caretakers, and educators to recognize and support their mental health needs. Participants will see a collection of videos from the national Well Beings tour, hear from Oklahoma teenagers, and take part in a frank discussion about terms, warning signs, resources, and tips on how to discuss suicide in an open and healthy way. Panelists include Julie Geddes, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Kirk Smalley, representing Stand for the Silent; and Paula Stratford, Director of Affiliate Relations with NAMI Oklahoma. The event will be hosted by Ebony Skillenz who has worked in the field of mental health for the past 10 years. Skillenz specializes in child and family therapy and is the CEO and founder of Amayesing Skillz Counseling Services. Additionally, she operates Ebony Dawn Consulting Services, designed to assist and train therapists to reach their full potential in private practice. As a part of this event, Well Beings and OETA have pulled together a toolkit of local resources for youth who may have mental health concerns, which is available at WellBeings.org/oeta.

Oklahoma: 10th Highest Rate of Youth Suicide (2012-2016)

“If you have a teenager in your life, this discussion is for you,” states Polly Anderson, OETA executive director. “The physical and mental well-being of Oklahoma’s youth is more important than ever as these children face extreme, ongoing challenges due to the pandemic. We want to ensure they’re getting the support they need. A 2020 report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health states that Oklahoma had the 10th highest rate in the nation for youth suicide deaths from 2012-2016. It’s time we talk openly and honestly about this crisis and work to prevent teen suicide.”

The public, and particularly youth, are facing an increase in mental health concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by ongoing racial injustice and structural inequality. On July 14, 2020, WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital, launched the national Well Beings campaign. The launch featured a virtual event with young people, experts, and notable personalities urging the country towards a more thoughtful conversation about mental health conditions. Well Beings unveiled the Youth Mental Health Project, which features original broadcast and digital content, a national tour of impactful community events, social media campaigns, interactive storytelling on WellBeings.org, and information on mental health resources from project partners — all emphasizing the mental health needs, lived experiences and voices of youth. 

Share Stories via Well Beings Story Wall

The public is able to share their stories via the We Are Well Beings Story Wall which showcases the shared stories and experiences of mental health from people across the country. As part of Well Beings, the space offers hope, fosters understanding, builds community, and breaks down stigma, encouraging users to share videos, photographs, or short text stories about their experiences with mental health. 

This OETA event is part of the Well Beings Tour (2020–2022)  featuring virtual and in-person events where local organizations and community members with lived experiences of mental health challenges will discuss youth mental health today and provide resources and information on best practices, including youth-focused engagement and support systems. The Well Beings Tour has already held 20 events in major US cities including Baltimore, Anchorage, Los Angeles to date. 

Documentaries, Student Reporting on Mental Health

Also a part of the campaign, Well Beings is creating youth-focused digital and broadcast content, including the digital-first documentary BRAVE TEENS, student reporting about mental health from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, additional live events with CALL TO MIND at American Public Media, and a series of short films entitled OUT OF THE DARK (w.t.).The Well Beings Youth Mental Health Project will culminate with a new four-hour documentary, produced and directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers of Ewers Brother Productions and executive produced by Ken Burns. HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS (w.t.), slated to premiere in 2022, will explore how young people are addressing their mental health needs and the impact of mental health stigma and stress on today’s youth.

The public can view all Well Beings content, screen past events, and  join the conversation on youth mental health by using #WellBeings, visitingWellBeings.org, or following @WellBeingsOrg on Instagram,Facebook, orTwitter.