Raise your voice to guide our public health work!
Calling all rising 9–12th graders – we want to hear from you! Wake County is looking for teens to serve on the Youth Health Council. This volunteer leadership group provides the opportunity for youth to share their voices with Wake County Public Health officials.
We want to listen to YOU and to create a safe space for youth to share thoughts on all things health – from the impact of COVID-19 to mental health concerns to nutrition and more. As adults, we want to improve our inclusivity and understanding, but we can’t do it without YOU!
Register now!
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the emotional and mental well-being of youth throughout our country and specifically here in Wake County, worsening the pre-existing concerns about youth mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) reports:
- 64% of teens feel the world is more stressful now than when parents were their age
- 1 in 4 have been diagnosed with a mental health condition
- 2 in 3 agree schools should teach about what mental health is, including where and how to seek treatment
- 67% think schools should offer days off for mental health
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9% have made an attempt to take their lives
- Only 48% talk regularly with parents about their mental health and only 22% talk regularly with friends
- 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year
- 60.3% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment
- 1 in 10 Latinx youth have lost one of their primary caregivers throughout the COVID pandemic
2023 Youth Health Council Projects
Check out some of the work our youth have created over the last year!
Collective Journey Youth Video
Youth PSA's (in partnership with NCDHHS):
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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: (15 second PSA), (30 second PSA)
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988 Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis (15 second PSA), (30 second PSA)
Youth Spotlight
In September 2023, Youth Health Council member, Aaron Azcona, received the outstanding Dominican Students Abroad Award. The celebration took place in the Dominican Republic and Aaron had the opportunity to meet President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona and engage in a lively conversation with him in the Ambassadors Room of the National Palace.