SpeakUp! is not about focusing on the problems. It’s about focusing on the universal solution of speaking up and getting help.
Why Come to SpeakUp!?
For Students:
A 17-year old young man told us…
“At first I didn’t want to go to SpeakUp! but my mom made me. After I got there, I didn’t want to leave.”
It’s normal for teens to struggle. You don’t have to be perfect. The adults in your lives want to help you navigate safely to adulthood and enjoy the journey. If you can be honest about the reality of your life, they can help guide and support you. When you speak up about your worries, you will find relief in knowing others feel the same way. Through speaking up and sharing your story, you can help yourself while helping someone else. Come experience SpeakUp!
For Adults:
“This is an incredible generation—they are problem-solvers, not problems to be solved.”
– Ken Ginsburg, MD
When you hear the alarming statistics about teenage stress, depression, anxiety, suicide and drug overdose, you naturally want to do anything in your power to protect your child and other teenagers. SpeakUp! isn’t about focusing on the problems, it’s about focusing on the fact that there is a universal solution. No matter what the problem is, the solution starts with being willing to speak up and ask for help. The most protective factor for youth is a positive relationship with caring adults where open, honest conversations about tough topics lead to guidance and support. SpeakUp! shows parenting adults and school adults how you can communicate in ways that make it more likely your teenagers will have important conversations with you. Come experience SpeakUp!
What is SpeakUp!?
SpeakUp!’s youth-driven, experiential and interactive program changes the culture of communication in our homes and schools to one where teens can talk openly, honestly and without judgment about difficult topics with adults in their lives for guidance and support.
SpeakUp! works in partnership with a wide range of middle and high schools. Each school begins by creating a large SpeakUp! Leadership Team. Through a series of pre-meetings, student leaders identify tough-to-talk-about topics, develop the skills to talk honestly about the realities of their lives and plan their SpeakUp! event. These evening events open with a brief session on the importance of speaking up, which is followed immediately by the breakout sessions. In these sessions, youth, school adults, and parenting adults come together (family members are not in the same breakout session) for small group facilitated conversations on topics of their choice such as stress, drugs and alcohol, mental health, relationships and social media. SpeakUp! provides opportunities to continue the conversation through our Parenting Adult Coffee Series and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
SpeakUp!’s proven program helps teens feel less alone, more confident in speaking up and more willing to ask for help. It provides the opportunity for students to tell parenting adults and school adults how to communicate in ways that make it more likely their teenagers will talk to them about difficult topics. It helps schools be seen as places where students can be themselves, speak up and find guidance and support. SpeakUp! is recognized and supported as a best-in-class strength-based youth development organization.
Continue the Conversation
SpeakUp! hosts a series of Parenting Adult Coffees throughout the school year. Our morning sessions are held in-person at the SpeakUp! office and evening sessions are held virtually on Zoom. These gatherings are designed to dive deeper into topics where more guidance and support is needed and requested by our parenting adult participants.
All are welcome!
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour training to teach participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
-The class is free, but space is limited.
-Once registered, you will be responsible for 2 hours of pre-class learning all done online at your own pace. You will be sent a link to access all materials needed.
-As part of the course registration, you will obtain access to the YMHFA manual online version. This is a tremendous resource for you.