To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, Health Quest ATL in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools hosted a Mental Health Teen Summit at Booker T. Washington High School. The Teen Summit hosted by Health Quest ATL’s Will Judge and Booker T. Washington High school’ teen ambassadors Cornelius Kemp and Dianyia Smith openly discussed ideas and concerns about mental health to meaningfully engage in a dialogue about Stress Management, Anxiety and Depression, Music, Entertainment, Media, and Body Image, Technology & social media.
Additionally, Health Quest ATL wants to highlight APS’ commitment to healthy student environments by informing students about the district’s partnership with Hazel Health, a mental and physical telehealth service provided at no-cost for Atlanta Public School students.
Our goal for this interactive event is to normalize the conversation around mental health for APS students, and give voice to students in ways that are constructive and inclusive. The teen summit format was designed for andhosted by teens. Accordingly, the event program was entertaining as it was informative. The goal was to pique interests, while providing an outlet for students.
This Health Quest Forum gathered mental health advocates, industry professionals, and influencers from various industries including Dr. Vaughn Gay, Brittany Hardy and John Kennebrew, Michelle Hope, Viral music Sensation Big Boss Vette, Influencer Kaychelle Dabney and Recording artist and Influencer Tray Bills.
Reports and studies have indicated that mental health concerns among young adults have risen significantly over the last few decades. More than 2.7 million teens live with untreated depression. The isolation of the pandemic has increased mental health concerns for teens ranging from depression, anxiety, grief from loss of a loved one making youth mental health a public health crisis.
Health Quest ATL created an innovative outreach campaign called Q30, partnering with Atlanta Public Schools, that encourages families to invest in students’ health and reward them when doing so. APS families can register to win prizes, experiences and other treasures from participating sponsors.
Learn more, share and sign up for the at no cost to families, APS, mental and physical telehealth service, Hazel Health at https://my.hazel.co/atlantapublicschools/info
Learn more about the Mental Health Teen Summit HealthQuestATL.Org