College of Health Sciences Dean Patrick Vivier to deliver keynote address at summit sponsored by Washington County Coalition for Children

Washington County, R.I., middle and high school students will discuss bullying and stress experienced at school, and offer ideas and solutions for their wellbeing during the region’s first youth mental health summit hosted on the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus.

“Cultivating Resistance,” sponsored by the Washington County Coalition for Children, is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Swan Hall Auditorium on Upper College Road. URI College of Health Sciences Dean Patrick Vivier will deliver the keynote address. The student presenters represent six towns from Charlestown to South Kingstown and four school districts as well as The Prout School. All students are active in their schools’ Peer to Peer Mental Health Awareness Programs, administered and funded by The Chris Collins Foundation.

 “Parents, educators, coaches, youth group leaders, health/mental health providers, state and town officials, youth—everyone who loves and cares about our young people—should attend,” said Susan Orban, director of the Washington County Coalition for Children. “This summit is the culmination of more than a year’s effort to spark youth engagement in developing mental wellness solutions. It began when vocal and active youth participated in the Coalition’s Youth Mental Health Data Briefing last year. The teens articulated their pressures and the strategies that work for them.”

URI Professor Sue Adams and recent Human Development and Family Science Ph.D. graduate Emma Pascuzzi conducted focus groups with area youth and supported the county-wide Youth Advisory Council in developing their action plan. “The current youth mental health crisis is complicated with multiple contributing factors, Adams said. “Tapping into the insight and experience of young people is key to crafting effective solutions. We are excited to showcase local youth leadership on this subject.”

The Youth Mental Health Summit is free and open to the public, but encourages registration here, as space is limited. For questions about the Summit, contact Susan Orban at wccc@washcokids.org. For information about the Coalition, go to www.washcokids.org.