Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hosts Youth Mental Health Panel in Atlanta

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Kohl’s, hosted a mental health panel discussion in Atlanta on Saturday, June 29, to discuss the challenges young people face. The event featured actor and musician Jacob Latimore, as well as youth from Boys & Girls Clubs in the Atlanta area.

This panel was part of the National Boys & Girls Clubs Week celebrations and provided a platform for young people to engage in open and authentic conversations about mental health challenges and successes faced within different communities.

“Everyone struggles with mental health. What Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s are doing to encourage conversations about mental health in communities is truly admirable,” Latimore said. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s goal of creating a safe, intimate environment where young people can openly and honestly discuss their feelings about the issues they face represents a paradigm shift in our culture. With everything going on in the world, it’s easy for young people to feel overwhelmed. If they’re feeling anxious, stuck, lonely, depressed or just lost, they need to know that there are people here to help them move forward.”

The mental health panel, which was streamed live and is available on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America YouTube channel, gave attendees the opportunity to meet and chat with local teens about the importance of wellness while learning from the critically acclaimed “The Chi” actor about his own experiences and passion for mental health awareness.

Kohl’s, a longtime partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has played a critical role in supporting trauma-informed training and facilitating open discussions about mental health among teens across the country.

With a focus on positive social and emotional development, Kohl’s is working with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure club staff have the resources, training and tools they need to help this generation reach their full potential.

“We know it’s important for children and teens to know they’re not alone in their emotions,” said Kate Endries, national director of trauma-informed practice at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Together, we can normalize talking about mental health and help young people manage their emotions in healthy, sustainable ways.”

“Mental health is an important issue for all of us and is a cornerstone of Kohl’s philanthropic work, including through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” said Tara Geiter, Kohl’s director of community relations. “We are proud to support events like this to help provide more resources to youth across the country and raise awareness of the challenges kids face today.”

The impact of this mental health panel discussion provides a platform for open dialogue, reducing stigma and encouraging children and adolescents to share their experiences and learn from mental health professionals.

Ultimately, these discussions foster a culture of empathy and understanding with the goal of equipping our young people with the knowledge and tools to effectively manage their mental well-being.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s partnership, please visit BGCA.org.

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