Special to the Reporter

The annual Mercer Island Healthy Youth Community Forum was held the evening of April 30 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The forum was hosted by the Healthy Youth Initiative (HYI), which is the health promotion and risk prevention programming of the city’s department of Youth and Family Services (YFS).

YFS Prevention Coordinator Michelle Ritter said, “The goal of the forum was to support connection and communication between youth and adults as we know this outcome reduces risk factors among youth related to substance use and mental health.”

The event literally “gave youth the microphone” for a youth-led discussion about what it is like growing up on Mercer Island. Facilitated by high school seniors Julius Perez and Ren Evans, attendees heard about the types of pressures youth face growing up in a high-achieving community.

YFS school-based counselors Harry Brown and Chris Harnish helped the youth in attendance to work to frame the feedback they wanted adults to hear.

The structured dialogue saw middle- and high-school-aged Island youth share with parents, school administrators, YFS staff and others about the sacrifices they feel they need to make in their own mental health and wellness to achieve the high standards of success and make it into colleges deemed good enough.

Adults heard a middle school student talk about the palpable culture of academic success adding to pressure to do homework right the first time. High school students shared that part of the academic stress they feel comes from peer to peer comparison of grades, extra-curriculars and college admission statistics. A Mercer Island High School student participant shared, “I wish adults knew that regardless of what pressure adults, specifically MI parents put on their kids, the intrinsic pressure students put on themselves to succeed will often be so extreme that it becomes overwhelming and a discouragement.”

Students also talked about the positives of growing up on the Island. When students were asked: “What is something that is great about growing up on Mercer Island?” students replied:

* “I appreciate how safe the Island is and the great opportunities the community provides.”

* “Everyone knows everyone.”

* “Close connections.”

Youth were also clear to point out that Mercer Island schools are “awesome” and provide great opportunities for all kinds of learners. However, one student also said it is hard to fit into the somewhat narrow definition of success if one has a different learning style or is neurodivergent.

Adults benefited from a presentation by YFS Individual and Family Therapist Corinne Alef that provided tips and strategies for establishing strong relationships with their kids using the “Four C’s”: Connection, Communication, Curiosity and Calm.

Students were willing to share suggestions for the adults in their lives. When asked: “What tips do you have for adults who want to connect with their teen?” students replied:

* “Be open minded and listen. Don’t try to force information out if it doesn’t want to be shared.”

* “Try to understand your teen instead of judging first.”

* “Be understanding.”

For more information about the Healthy Youth Initiative, visit www.MIHealthyYouth.com.

Attendees engage in a discussion at the annual Mercer Island Healthy Youth Community Forum on April 30 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. Courtesy photo