LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Nearly three dozen students from across the region spent the night at Westgate Entertainment Center to gain a better understanding of their mental health during the Youth Connect 4-Mental Health Winter Lock-In.
The event brought students together for several interactive sessions focused on how the brain works and how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected. Organizers said the goal was to create a safe and supportive environment where young people could openly discuss their emotions.
Dr. Constance Hartgrove with Heart, Soul and Mind Health Care said helping youth understand their mental health is critical.
“How our brain works, how our thoughts, feelings and behavior are all interconnected, and I thought it was really helpful that we are able to give youth a safe space to talk about some of the things that they're feeling, whether they're feeling anxious or feeling scared or just feeling happy,” Hartgrove said.
Hartgrove added that today’s youth face unique challenges, including social media pressures and other influences that can negatively impact mental well-being. She said providing a space where students can connect positively with others and talk openly about their concerns is essential.
Students who attended said they found the experience valuable.
“That it's important to surround yourself with positive people and positive attitudes so you can absorb that information, have a positive mindset,” said Sophia Behrens, a senior at Wapakoneta High School.
Talyn Ford said the event helped him better understand emotions.
“I learned about controlling emotions because I can now understand, like how emotions work better, so I can understand and read people better,” Ford said.
Robert Walker, a senior at Lima Senior High School, said he gained insight into how the brain affects decision-making.
“Emotion is mainly in the frontal lobe, and it controls your decisions,” Walker said.
Youth Connect 4-Mental Health is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly meetings focused on current issues students want to discuss. Leaders say continued community support is key to sustaining the program.
“We could use funding, because we want to keep this program going and allow it to be benefit to young people so they're not just struggling with their mental health,” said Yvonne Jones, executive director of Youth Connect 4-Mental Health.
More information about Youth Connect 4-Mental Health is available on the organization’s website.
